Author: Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons

This is a true story. A few years ago a friend was training for a half-marathon when the unimaginable happened. While carrying some boxes to the basement, she fell down the stairs. When she saw her doctor for the bad sprain, she was surprised that he referred her to a sports med physician. “I just don’t feel comfortable treating this since you are an athlete” was his reasoning. My friend could not understand his hesitancy since she did not see herself as an athlete. Even though she had lost over 100 pounds and was running 5 days a week, she…

One of the problems plus-sized women run up against is the usually loudly voiced criticism and/ or unsolicited advice from others. I have found this to be irritating because it indicates that the other person either doesn’t believe that I have healthy goals and am trying to reach them or just enjoys trying to embarrass me. As a psychologist, I give presentations to various groups on many different topics, including managing stress and establishing healthy habits. Recently, I met with another health care professional about the possibility of us working together on some presentations. I was quite surprised when he…

A few years ago, I felt like a true failure. I felt like I had hit rock bottom. I was doing Weight Watchers (for the third time) but not making progress. I spent hours everyday working out to my videos and was still overweight. I had just about decided that there was no point in fighting it, I was meant to be fat forever. My attitude was negative and my family was sick of my constant complaining. I was tired of feeling bad about myself. I needed a change of heart and mind. That change came in the most unexpected…

I am Jacqui and I am a plus-sized woman. For many years I have fought with my body. I have tried many different diets as well as some sensible weight loss plans. I had some success but never to the degree where I could fit into a size 10. So, I have come to the realization that I am not built to be that small. Despite my years of training and experience as a clinical psychologist, this was a hard thing to accept. It occurred to me that if I’m having a hard time with the image of being ‘plus-sized’,…

“What is your five-year plan?” This is a question that we often associate with career or business planning. It is commonly asked during job interviews. It is used often because the interviewee’s response is informative. Employers want to know if you have the ability, interest, and focus to voice a plan for your future. Being able to do so indicates some intelligent forethought and the desire to reach a specific goal. Too much of the time, we are passively wandering through life. It is easy to follow the crowd, abdicating your authority to think for yourself and formulate your own…

Jacqueline Lewis-Lyons is a Clinical Psychologist and Life Coach (member of the International Coach Federation) with over 20 years of experience working in private practice and community service. Jacqui and her husband, George Lyons, a successful attorney, are active in their community and church and have dedicated themselves to making a difference in the lives of others. Dr. Jacqui has had first-hand experience working with troubled adults and children within the criminal justice system, children’s services department, adoptions, and inpatient/outpatient treatment programs. She has compassion and experience to help clients achieve positive transformation. Dr. Jacqui is especially excited about the…