Meet Our Founder
Cindy Fusco, CNS, MS, AADP
Functional Nutritionist
I’m Cindy and I’m your Nutritionist. But there’s a lot more to my story and how I got here. Why should you care? Because in today’s world of information OVERLOAD it’s important to know who you are trusting with your most valuable asset- your health.
In my earlier age, I was in the world of advertising and marketing. I obtained my Bachelor’s from F.I.T. in Manhattan and set off with the intentions to one day be a big shot Ad Executive. I worked as a marketing assistant and account executive but was never happy in my positions. At the time, I was still drinking heavily on the weekends with friends, going out, thinking 2 bowls of Kashi cereal for breakfast was healthy, and barely worked out. My body began to suffer. I had a ton of stomach problems and was told I have IBS with no solutions. I remember asking my gastro if he thought my drinking was making it worse. I will never forget that he looked at me and said “no you don’t have to stop drinking, some people say it helps.” Well I can tell you that at 23 years old, his words were music to my ears.
One day, tired of feeling bloated and weighed down, I decided to start doing my own research on how to start eating healthier. Little by little, I got 20 pounds off and had never felt better. All my stomach problems completely went away. My skin looked better and I had the energy a 23-year-old should have. I started working out too.
I decided right then and there to follow my passion for health and nutrition to help others feel that amazing change that I did simply by stopping to think about my body for 5 seconds.
I decided to enroll in a Master’s program at Brooklyn College in the Human Nutrition program. I started interning and working in the field right away and gained experience in clinical nutrition and private practice. I then also got my certification to start teaching group fitness classes. I began teaching at Lucille Roberts, and then at several other gyms in Brooklyn. I worked in research with the LOOK AHEAD study, the longest running diabetes study to date.
But when I started working at a holistic center for children with needs, it started to open my eyes to what nutrition can REALLY do. We saw 100% improvements with children on the spectrum, ADHD and other diagnoses from improving their diet.
When I obtained my degree, I hit the ground running and started my own practice and Forever F.I.T was born. F.I.T. stands for focus, improve , transform because those are the order these steps need to go in to have the body transformation you are looking for.
In 2012, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease. I dug deep into research and received additional training on autoimmune disease, thyroid function and brain function.
At the time of my practice, a supplement company named Metagenics approached me to consult with them. I spent 8 years with them teaching doctors how to use lifestyle medicine and intervention instead of conventional meds to improve their patients' help. I held nutrition master courses for doctors of all specialties and explained the ins and outs of how to help their patients with no or minimal drug intervention.
I am now back in practice full-time after having 2 beautiful babies and bringing all my education and experience into my practice to help 1 patient at a time through all different walks of life. Some are looking to lose weight. Some want to gain weight. Some have autoimmune diseases and are looking for a solution to feel better. Some have diabetes, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. Some people just don’t know what to eat!
I can help you too. You put in all the work with my guidance. Make an appointment today!
MY SERVICES
WEIGHT LOSS
The first visit is about 60 minutes and you will sit down with Cindy to review a very detailed health history, take measurements and go over an extensive questionnaire so Cindy can learn as much information about your health as possible. She will measure weight, body fat, muscle, water and other metrics with our highly sophisticated body composition machine – BIA to create a baseline from which to track all of your progress through the program.
You can expect to receive education regarding a healthy eating regiment so you will not only know what to eat, but also the reason why certain foods are better for your body. Using the information gathered throughout your preliminary work-up, she will develop a meal plan with specific foods best suited for you based on your individual body composition with the right portions and proper timing of meals. At this time, she may also recommend blood work and any other necessary thyroid and hormone assessments to make sure everything is working properly.
The second session is scheduled within 2 weeks and will include continued food education and planning, and assessing the progress you have made and keep drilling down to determine an even more unique plan for you. You will receive detailed insight on your baseline measurements and how they relate to your health and future goals. As you advance through the program, Cindy will fine-tune your meal plan and provide more specific breakdowns with each visit to cater to your body’s individual metabolism and enhance your command of your body. We will stay on top of you to ensure that you are losing FAT in a way that is natural and healthy. While some (natural) supplementation may be recommended, the goal is to have you change your lifestyle. This separates Cindy from other so-called “weight-loss” specialists in that she doesn’t want you dependent on short-term solutions.
Every session includes a BIA reading.
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
Autoimmune disease is complicated. Diet can make a major impact on symptoms and frequency of flare ups. Each person has different triggers and through elimination diets we try to pinpoint what those are. Inflammation is at the heart of any Autoimmune disease and thus, an anti-inflammatory diet can help put the body back into homeostasis.
GUT-RELATED DISORDERS
No one likes to feel like crap, truth be told. It can be disheartening when you don’t feel like you need to lose weight, but at the same time you’re always bloated and can’t button your jeans! Or have embarrassing gas all the time. These are all signs that something in your body NEEDS to be addressed and corrected. Through nutrition we work together to find your triggers and find ways to heal your upper or lower digestive track.
KIDS NUTRITION
Good habits start early! Children love to learn through play and education. Cindy has experience hosting children’s cooking classes and nutrition education classes to engage them in a fun way. Children LOVE learning and do not respond well to being put down or forced to NOT eat certain foods. WE can teach them what is good for their body and what isn’t in a healthy way to ensure a heathy relationship with food.
Group sessions for children available too. Cindy also teaches kids nutrition classes in Staten Island, NY every few weeks. Email for info and to RSVP.
CORPORATE/GROUP EVENTS
Corporate nutrition challenges and seminars available.
