What People Are Saying

I've struggled for years with developing the habits necessary for
vibrant health. Working with Marissa has given me the
knowledge and support necessary to make dramatic and lasting changes
in my lifestyle. I feel better and more confident about my health,
body and overall approach to nutrition as it touches all aspects of
my life. I would recommend Marissa for anyone who is trying to get
and remain healthy and happy.
M. Counts
CEO, Counts Media Inc.

Since I've been working with Marissa, I've seen a huge
difference in the way I think about food and how I choices. I’ve been working with a fitness trainer for over 3 years, but Marissa has helped me to reach the next level of satisfaction. She is encouraging every step of the way. Her suggestions are realistic and I haven’t felt deprived of things that I like to eat. I can't say enough about how much she has helped me.
J.S.

Marissa was recommended to me by a trainer at the gym after I had tried for months to lose some pounds and only managed to gain muscle and bulk up. For years my weight fluctuated, and I wanted to learn balance in my eating habits. I also have a food allergy and wanted to address that limitation. She was very impressive in her knowledge of nutrition and lifestyle obstacles. The advice was gentle, but firm. And it was very clear. Marissa is very understanding about the craziness life sometimes offers up, and she helped me tailor a workable diet to an erratic self-employment schedule. I could not believe the education I received with regard to portion sizes, metabolism, and food in general. You can read all the magazines and diet books you want, but there is nothing like having a professional consultant really examine your eating habits and pinpoint issues. Bottom line: I lost 12 pounds in 10 weeks and have kept it off for almost a year. I also see differences in both my body shape and my skin quality. Weight loss is no longer an issue in my life, and I feel very energetic. Marissa's excellent listening skills and manner, her profound dietary expertise, and her dynamic contribution to the profession make her a valuable advisor, resource, and new friend.
E.B.

Calling Marissa was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. Marissa created a counseling package for me and my wife, which included visits to our home, a "field trip" to a local grocery store and individual one on one meetings for myself. Marissa taught me everything I needed to know about food. Now, I know how to read nutritional labels, how to decipher a restaurant menu and make healthy decisions when eating out, and the basics, like how much to eat (portion size/calories per day). And to top it off, she doesn't "ban" any foods. Everything in moderation including moderation. Marissa teaches you all of this in a very low key, personalized,...unintimidating/down to earth way. Thanks to her (and a lot of hard work at the gym), in a matter of months, I lost 75 pounds,...and I didn't starve myself. As I lost the weight, I worked with Marissa to adjust my diet,..bringing back in more of the foods that I enjoy. And for a 35 year-old guy, I look better than ever, and I feel better than ever. And to top it off, I really enjoy cooking and eating again,...because now I know how to eat!
J.J.

I thought I knew how to eat right, but there was a lot that Marissa taught me. I loved that she had first hand knowledge about living and eating in New York City. Whenever I mentioned a favorite food place, she either knew it, or knew healthier alternatives in the area. She even reviewed my favorite take out menus and highlighted her recommendations! She was always available to answer questions, and responded to my many emails. And she definitely showed enthusiasm for my success, I lost 30 pounds by eating healthy and adding exercise. I would highly recommend Marissa for anyone looking to learn more about healthy eating.
J.J.

Marissa provides you with everything you need for long-lasting weight loss and healthy lifestyle change. She focuses on having you live the healthiest life possible, while teaching necessary behavior changes, providing practical management strategies and helping create a new relationship with food. This was all possible for me with a very busy schedule (I spent 5 weeks in New Orleans - talk about an unhealthy city!). I am now 50 pounds lighter (with more to go!) and am amazed everyday at how I feel and what I'm able to accomplish. My work with Marissa made my new, healthy, thinner life possible!
L.M.

Marissa has been amazing at helping me develop a program to ensure that I have a healthy lifestyle. I'm a very picky eater with a busy schedule, so Marissa has worked with me to create a plan that includes not only healthy food that I cook, but also a variety of options from restaurants and takeout places in my neighborhood to ensure that I'm able to eat well even when I'm too busy to think much about it. She's always responsive to my questions and follow-up calls, and she's even worked with me to make suggested grocery shopping lists for food to keep in the house. And she's so wonderfully friendly!
B.S.

Last November I decided to tackle my weight issue head-on and researched nutrionists, diet doctors, trainers, life coaches (you name it) until I found someone whose philosophy resonated with me. Marissa puts the emphasis on health which has consequently helped me focus my efforts and given me a sense of accomplishment each week even when the scale didn't move as much as I had hoped! Close to 30 pounds lighter I'm healthier and happier than I have ever been.
K.H.

Marissa's practical approach was to help me set goals (i.e. lower my cholesterol, lose weight, etc.) and establish, not a diet, but a way of eating that would help me attain those goals. She encouraged me to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle. I kept a food diary (which was eye-opening when I saw what I really ate). Marissa gave me grocery lists, brands of food to buy, menus, recipes and other information (including restaurants and specific menu items to choose) that made eating right downright easy and tasty. She even helped me design a low-sugar margarita. We would plan for eating right during social events over the holidays, and we even talked about how to deal with people who were critical of my new habits (and some people were). I was surprised how many times high-calorie, high-fat, high-sugar food was forced upon me, but I became good at saying "no, thank you" or taking a little bit and refusing seconds. I feel better, I have more energy, I lost 22 pounds, I cook at home a lot more, and my cholesterol and BP are now well within the normal range for over a year -- no prescriptions. I have referred friends to Marissa, and I am a testimony to the fact that her approach works!
D.O.