Testimonials

My blood pressure has been a lot better since starting Metabolic Balance, the bottom number hasn’t been high! Woohoo! I hopped into bed the other night and my heart did a little flutter, so I hopped up to check my blood pressure - it was 106/74. Massive change from my usual 120ish/90+. 

Thanks so much. It’s very empowering seeing that number on the scales reduce. I know I shouldn’t always be guided by it, but it is exciting. My jeans are all really loose around my waist (high waisted). There’s no point in buying new jeans this year, it’ll be too hot to wear them soon. I’ll spoil myself next winter. I put on a work skirt that I haven’t been able to wear for a couple of years - and it fit! It’s the small things, but they’re all very exciting. I still have a way to go, but I’ll get there. 

I honestly cannot thank you enough Melissa, without your support and expertise, I would still be in a rut! 

Absolutely life changing. I've struggled with severe adult hormonal acne over the last three years and had almost given up on finding a solution. Then came Melissa Cook and Metabolic Balance. Not only has this program helped my aggressive flare ups but it has also unlocked new increased levels of energy I thought I'd never feel again. Not to mention the lack of bloating! I've never felt more comfortable after eating a meal! This program is incredibly informative, full of support and worth every dollar spent. Melissa Cook has been like a "Healthy Mother" to me who held my hand throughout the journey and encouraged me to keep going when times were tough. This has been an absolute game changer and I'm excited to continue supporting a healthier future version of myself.

I first heard about Metabolic Balance when I went to Melissa's kick sugar workshop.

I can’t believe how well it works! The most amazing thing that I found was that I had absolutely no cravings after the first two weeks, it was like I was satisfied after each meal, having more food or a sweat treat didn’t even cross my mind, that just blew my mind! 

Of course came the clear skin, period pain subsided more and more each month, my moods were stabilised, energy levels became existent! And of course came the weight loss! I lost 11.3kgs in the 12 weeks and still continue to lose. I find it so easy to continue in this way of eating, it’s been two weeks since iv finished and iv still easily stayed on track, as it makes you feel so good!

It was made so easy as I had the help of Melissa at my finger tips! When ever I needed help with some food labelling queries or things on my plan, she was so quick to respond and so knowledgeable!

Thanks Melissa!!'

  In February I had a Serious Brake in my upper arm and believe me when I say I did a good job at it I did just that.  Major Surgery & Major pain.  I become very dependent and insecure.   I was an active and very dedicated exerciser, hence the brake in my arm messed with me  lot.  I had heard of Metabolic Balance via a friend who was having great results and decided to reset my goals.  If I could not exercise I could lose weight.

I commenced my Metabolic Balance programme on the 6th April 2023 and completed on the 18th July. Weighing 64kgs. 

Can I say it was a rewarding –supporting and a learning journey.  Yes it was challenging at times however, a bottle of water got me through several times and of course the support of our therapists. It was great to talk with both Melissa who I found caring, very knowledgeable as well as people who had been on the journey and offered practical advice.

Lets debunk some of my myths:  Age will not stop you from losing weight – myth  number two if you exercise a lot you will lose weight.  My poor, poor metabolism.  It was thoroughly confused and just threw up its hands in angst. 

For the doubting Thomas’s :  I have had 2 cupping appointments with my Wellness provider the last one was just last week and guess what:    Not a bruise  either time .

 Conclusion - My Gut is Happy:   Success Number 2

Please don’t give up my fellow MB friends, the rewards just fill you with pride. This journey is for you enjoy your success.   

My Sincere Best Wishes  Lyn

 Hi Melissa, I have lost nearly 10kgs in 2 months and changed my exercise like you encouraged for my thyroid condition. I have had a blood test to check my thyroid markers since joinung the program and my thyroid is completely different to when I first started the program. It is actually incredible. Our Iscreen result was 5.87 on the 18th May 2023, and my recent TSH marker is now ……2.65.

This program is more than weight loss. It is a health reset.

Thankyou

I have PCOS – however due to other medical conditions I have been unable to treat it the way the Doctors want – with the Pill. Along with that comes the weight, the anxiety, the Thyroid issues – especially as my thyroid was “just normal” which meant no medication to help that either. I battled through all this – having a hysterectomy to see if that helped – a little. I battled through Bowel Cancer at 36 years old and then dealt constantly with bowel pain , bleeding and obstructions that needed hospitalisation with the dreaded NG Tube to help clear it. I struggled with what I ate as what helped the bowel cause me so much bloating, inflammation, and water retention.

I tried so many times to diet – low cal, low cal with weight training; The 800 Diet and then I went Keto – which was semi successful (my bowel loved it) and I lost 7 kgs and I did feel better – until my kidneys decided they didn’t like it.

I was constantly achy – joint and muscle aches. I never slept well….which meant for a tired day - everyday. AND THE BRAIN FOG!!!! O.M.G!!!!!

Then I reached that good ‘ol age of 44-45 and I gained even more weight around my abdomen and I was uncomfortable and having the worst bowel issues I’ve had in a long time. I spoke to my GP, but all her could offer was getting me a colonoscopy and endoscopy in case it was the cancer again.

My hubby suddenly became quite ill last August – in and out of hospital and was diagnosed with a Auto Immune Disease – he was unable to work. I had to find more work so I started growing my Bookkeeping business. However, I KNEW I had to do something as I did not have the brain clarity and stamina to run my business and take care of my hubby too. I was just exhausted. I knew the medical doctors couldn’t do much so I was leaning towards Naturopathy.

I took on a new client who had a Nutritionist renting offices in their building – I heard her talking about Metabolic Balance to another staff member – what I heard intrigued me BUT I was skeptical. There are so many fad diets out there and I didn’t want to waste my money with someone who wasn’t knowledgeable or someone I didn’t trust.

So I googled…..and I googled …..and I googled. Then one of those googles brought up Zest Natural Therapies – and I saw a familiar face! Melissa! I KNEW how much study she had done – how much knowledge she had and I KNEW how passionate she was about what she did. THAT gave me the confidence to go through her and Linda.

Still took me a little bit to commit but that was because I wanted my mindset to be right.

I AM SO GLAD I DID!

Once the process started though it was wonderful – I lost 7kgs in the first 2 weeks and lost so much bloating and water retention it was mind blowing. The Brain fog lifted within the first 2 weeks and I sleeeeeeep! I lost the achiness by about week 4-ish. I was hiking on Moreton Island and waking up the next day without the aches and pains I’d normally get! My bowel issues have settledso much that it blows my mind. Inflammation was a huge factor in what was actually wrong and it is has only been Metabolic Balance that has helped. Nothing the doctors/hospitals have done actually helped like MB has.

I am in week 11 and I have lost 19kgs in weight – I am down 2.5 dress sizes; I have lost 7cm from my waist; 12 cm from my hips and 5cm from my thighs. My friends are constantly telling me how great I look and that I have a glow about me.

THAT’S CAUSE I FEEL HEALTHY AND HAVE MY ENERGY BACK.

I won’t say it’s always been easy – but!

– I have been able to do this despite my daughter, my husband and myself all having different dietary requirements

– I have been able to so this despite injuring my shoulder and having to use Codeine for a bit to help with the pain

– I have done this despite camping off grid for 3 weeks on Moreton Island!

I was fortunate not to have too many cravings and I felt great so quickly, that I didn’t miss the foods that I was unable to eat as obviously they were what were making feel horrid. And that’s what I focus on when I do have a craving.

As Melissa says trust the process!

The biggest thing for me though was the mental shift I have had - instead of holding onto my “fat clothes” as I might put weight back on like I have every other time I dieted – I get rid of them as I know I have the tools to keep the weight off for the rest of my life – not that I’ve stopped – I’m still on Phase 2 and will be for a little while yet until I reach my goal weight. For once I know I can do it!

YOU CAN TOO!!!!!!!!'

I had been gaining weight steadily for a few years and was feeling uncomfortable with this gain. What was baffling to me was the why,  surely I ate healthy was mostly vegetarian with some fish, but still was gaining weight!

I met Melissa and she had a solution.  It meant blood work and a meal plan,  and Iwas OK with that as I had grown up with a Mum that was a queen of diets!

But as I found out this isn't just a meal plan, it's a gut adjustment.  What I discovered was that I had been eating ALL of the wrong foods for my nutritional needs and wasn't digesting food properly. 

Melissa designed a plan to help realign my gut and the side benefit was that it will assist with some weight loss. So, I agreed – plunging in on 23rdNovember, 2023 – I’m 183.5 cm tall and at that time approximately 110 kilos.  

4 months later, my waist has reduced dramatically, I’m wearing new clothes and sleeping a good 7 hours every night, I have more energy and feel better in every way. And oh yeah, on 9th April. 2024 I now weigh 90 kilos!! 

The meals are delicious, I love cooking and the plan has flexibility to enjoy food while being healthier in the process. By the way – I’m still mainly vegetarian and still eat a little fish.

Thanks Melissa!!

I am so pleased that it works, and it's not a diet! It is a lifetime way of living. Thankyou very much first of all when I first met you at the Redcliffe library when you hosted your Kick Sugar Workshop and then through a friend. 

I cannot thank you enough Melissa for helping me with my weight loss program. I was working through a lot of personal issues with the passing of my Mum in 2017, and then my husband and Dad within 6 months of each other in 2021, I was in a horrible rut of emotional eating anything in sight that I couldn’t stop no matter how much I wanted myself to do so. I had given up on exercise as I was also suffering the terrible effects of a bulging L2/L3 disc and a torn meniscus, having to rely on strong pain medications to get through the day and sleep and I were just not friends. I was an all-round mess and when I turned 50 in June last year, I thought I needed to do something to change. I needed to do something for myself – mentally I was in a bit of a better head space coping with my losses and my back pain was easing slightly, so it was time to shift focus. Looking around and trying out the pre-prepared meals on the market thinking this would be a way of only eating a measured amount of food would be good, but by Christmas 2023, I was putting on more weight eating these meals and I was still snacking on all the wrong things. I was shocked! 

Walking into my local shopping centre's health food store in February 2024 hoping to chat with a nutritionist/naturopath and getting Melissa's business card was the best thing I ever did. During my first meeting, I was immediately drawn to Melissa’s calming, non-judgemental, easy-flowing conversation and she had me completely at ease once she heard all about my crumbling life. The concept of Metabolic Balance seemed a little daunting though, three meals a day, no snacks, no wine… I was going to trust the process... wasn’t I? 

The individualised nutrition plan based on my blood test was very interesting and I'm not going to lie, in early March when I started the three-day cleanse… it was intense! Getting through that and starting my meal plan was an achievement in itself. Although the headaches were constant as my body adapted to the lack of sugary foods, coffee and alcohol, I had it under control by the end of the first week and had lost 4kgs. One month in, I was losing weight, not feeling hungry, and now looking at food as a way to nourish my body, not as a coping mechanism. I was feeling great! Three months after I started the program, I had dropped 20kgs and two dress sizes, my knee and back were no longer problematic (no more pain medication), I was sleeping better and my skin was as an added bonus, looking ‘youthful’. I didn’t see it myself until I saw a photo taken a few days after my 50th birthday last year and one taken 12 months later in June this year.  I was getting lots of compliments on how I looked, but it was definitely about how I felt in my body and my emotional state.  I now enjoy a treat meal once a week which has helped with my social life, but I still stick to my meal program and am still losing weight. 6 months since I started with Metabolic Balance, I am feeling confident in myself, and enjoying all life has to offer. 

If I can say anything to someone wanting to start this amazing program, planning, and preparation of your proteins, veg/salads are key! It’s the failsafe way not to set yourself up for failure and snack eat or eat the wrong combination of things along the way. The help, guidance, and support I got from Melissa and the Zest Natural Therapies team have been amazing and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her highly enough. 

Warm regards, 

Hayley.