Meet Gabriela Rosenthal Weightloss and Fitness Expert and the Founder of Center For Medical Weight Loss
Gabriela BEFORE
Tell us about yourself. I am the married mother with 4 children. I have currently been with my husband for over 16 years and most of those years I have been morbidly obese. When we first met I weighed approximately 140 pounds but slowly gained weight soon after we got married. With every child I put on approximately 40 pounds and never took it off afterwards. I honestly tried several times doing commercial programs. I just couldn’t keep the weight off. I became very depressed after every failed attempt and found it harder on my body every time I put the weight back on. My husband and I had a very difficult time during this period and even filed for divorce about 4 years ago. My kids were following my foot steps and it seemed like and endless cycle of weight gain, depression and unhealthy habits. I was in so much physical pain that it made it difficult for me to get up in the morning and face the day. I had four abdominal surgeries due to my obesity and suffered from severe migraines and asthma attacks on a regular basis. I even had terrible rosacaa at times.
When did you finally realize that you had been neglecting yourself ~ so much so that you finally decided to do something about it? My realization came one day when I was at a friend’s house crying to her how much I feel that I have thrown my adult life away. I never imagined my life would end up this way. I was blessed with four beautiful children and I wasn’t able to enjoy them. I felt that it wasn’t fair to them at all. I was full of shame and guilt. On my drive home from there that evening I suffered a severe asthma attack and quickly realized I didn’t have my inhaler with me. I panicked and called my husband that I wasn’t going to make it home and to meet me on the side of the road. I had all of my kids in the car and was horrified that they had to watch me in this state. I am lucky that I am alive to tell the story and can motivate others to take control of their lives also.
Why did you choose the Center for Weight Loss to help you reach your weight loss goals? After losing some weight on my own I found it more and more difficult to keep up with my weight loss. As I was going through the daily challenges of watching what I ate and incorporated excersize into my routine, I sometimes forgot why I was getting healthy in the first place. It was the longest year and a half of my life, but the most gratifying. The Center for medical Weight Loss makes it as easy as possible to lose the weight. It has a scientific approach to weight loss that helps you maintain your weight long term.
How much did you loose? I lost more than 130 pounds.
Gabriela AFTER
What do you do now to maintain your weight? I am very aware of everything I eat and I exercize on a regular basis. I have moved my eating addiction to moving and find interesting ways to keep myself on the go.
What advice would you give other women who might be experiencing the same decisions in their lives regarding their own struggle with being overweight? Being overweight is definitely not a laughing matter. I understand the struggles women go through. We are so used to putting our needs last that we often times don’t even realize how we got to this obese state. We need to not feel guilty for taking care of ourselves, because the ones we love and nourish everyday are much better off when we are healthy in mind and body. You can be so much more productive when you are happy and full of life. We are the backbone of our families and one cannot stand strong without a backbone.
Who if anyone has been a role model or mentor for your personal journey? I can’t say that I have had a role model or mentor in my personal journey. I knew I wanted to stay alive for my kids and wanted to see them prosper and be well.
What are you doing professionally these days? Today, I own and operate the Center For Medical Weight Loss at University Drive with Elisabeth Cohn-Gelwasser, MD. We help thousands of adults get healthy and lose the fat.
I have been so inspired by our patients that they have motivated me to find a new calling in life as well. That is to write and speak about weight loss to as many people that want to listen. Our country is traveling down a very dangerous journey and our life expectancy is less than ever before. I have published numerous articles in magazines and am working with the South Florida Chamber of Commerce to encourage corporate wellness amongst the businesses in South Florida. I believe if we band together we can combat this awful disease and win the war of the bulge.
Tell us about a typical day for Gabriela Rosenthal? My day starts with getting my kids off to school with a healthy hearty breakfast. I also pack their lunch daily. I do not allow my kids to buy school lunches. Once they are on their way I am off to the office to see weight loss patients that need my help. I tried to fit in one to one and half hour of exercise somewhere in my day. If need be I will get up at 5:30am and spin for an hour. I often have meetings throughout the day and am currently helping the corporate office out of New York to train their bariatric physicians. I sometimes have to travel but prefer to stay close to home. When time permits I will watch my kids play tennis and come home in time to read a book with them and put them to bed.
If I have events on the weekend I will often take my kids with me. We enjoy our weekends together as a family.
What do you enjoy most about being a weight loss specialist? I enjoy changing peoples lives. I am so inspired by the thousands of stories I have heard. I have watched young and old regain their confidence, self esteem and control. I have helped many get off of medications, get new careers and finally feel fulfilled in their life long dreams. It is great helping others and hope I will make a difference in this world.
What do you do for fun/relaxation? I love to read with my kids or just rent a movie and watch it at home with them. We love to play tennis together and find it therapeutic as a family.
Gabriela WAY AFTER
What is the Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year? My number one business goal would be to reach out to as many people as possible. I hope my public speaking career takes off and I can implement as many corporate wellness programs as possible. The media needs to jump of the band wagon and help spread the word.
You want to write a book on … “obesity and how it is never to late to change your life.” How we can change the lives of the ones closest to us by taking care of ourselves.
For more information about Gabriela and the Center for Medical Weight Loss visit: www.cmwl.org.
Note: Gabriela is the newest member of our team of Editors and has taken on the position of Health and Fitness Editor. She will be sharing tips, recipes and healthly lifestyle advice. Stay tuned!
