Erika Hackmann

Student Recommendations

• Tricia C. July 26, 2011

  "Hot dogs. I’m by no means a foodie, but I may even go so far as to consider myself an expert on the mystery meat. Some people die for truffles; I die for tube steaks. It also just so happens that hot dogs are one of the worst possible foods in the universe of nutrition. Too bad they were at the center of mine: 14g Fat, 461 mg Sodium, 25mg Cholesterol, 100% Me. I was never an obese child, but I was also never thin growing up. I always had some extra meat on my bones, or “heavy bones” as my mother would affectionately call it. Yet, instead of getting down about my body image, I gained this warped sense of power from eating. If you can’t beat them [the urges] – join them. On Memorial Day Weekend 2010, I was bragging on every social media outlet that I ate 13 hot dogs in 3 days. That’s not something to be proud of. In all honesty, I’m lucky I can say it wasn’t a serious health complication that made me change my ways. My medical condition was one that required me to boost my immune system, and the fear of it coming back was enough to get me thinking about a change in my lifestyle. But I was missing something, an extra push, and there was Erika Hackmann. I was overwhelmed. Watching what I eat? Scheduling phone consultations outside of work? Working out? I remember walking into a gym for the first time and feeling like I walked into robot monster boot camp. But each week working with Erika made it less scary. I wasn’t alone anymore. Motivator, trainer, educator, friend – and I might add – miracle worker... If you would have told me a year ago today I would be snacking on kale chips while I was writing a testimonial for a nutritionist, I would have told you to go deep fry a few meatballs. The day I knew Erika Hackmann was serious about helping me was the day she sent over my first follow-up email with a few recipes included. The first picture when I opened the attachment was a banana tucked in a whole wheat hot dog roll. She got me. Erika taught me that being healthy doesn’t have to be painful. When I told her oatmeal tasted like paste, she said do something about it. I didn’t like spin. Her answer: why are you doing it? I wanted cake on my birthday, I had cake. Erika knows how to personalize and tailor a nutrition plan that works for you. As for me, there’s still work to be done. I’m continuously working towards my goals, but I can’t imagine not making these changes in my life. I feel better than I ever have before. I’m excited to run. I’m excited to cook. I’m excited to be excited about being healthy. Thank you Erika Hackmann for being my constant inspiration. You can take the girl out of the hot dog, but you can’t take the hot dog out of the girl. Bananas up! "

• Mark S. July 26, 2011

  "I was mostly struck by Erika's real-life understanding of how hard some goals can be. She was able to push me without judging every misstep. I had a GREAT experience with her!"