My Training
I earned my Medical Doctor degree from the Kaunas Medical University in Lithuania in 1992. Immediately thereafter, I relocated to the greater New York City area. I worked for many years in the US medical field in New York, southern California, and New Jersey offices. Primarily I worked in dermatology, but I also have a few years experience in cardiology, peripheral vascular medicine, and general medicine. My previous positions were with the Center for Dermatology and Laser Skin Surgery in USA, Eudelo skin and cosmetics clinic and now I am part of clinical staff at The Harley Street Dermatology Clinic in London. I saw many people during these years when traditional medicine could only help so much. My big frustration was the lack of preventative medicine education. I always had a love for the natural/holistic approach to life and medicine, so I am very excited by my studies at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) where I learned alternative ways to live healthy and happy in conjunction with traditional medicine.
I am a Board Certified Nutrition Practitioner and a member of AADP ( American Association of Drugless Practitioners).
I received my training as a Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s cutting-edge Health Coach Training Program.
During my training, I studied over 100 dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and innovative coaching methods with some of the world’s top health and wellness experts. My teachers included Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine; Dr. Deepak Chopra, leader in the field of mind-body medicine; Dr. David Katz, Director of Yale University’s Prevention Research Center; Dr. Walter Willett, Chair of Nutrition at Harvard University; Geneen Roth, bestselling author and expert on emotional eating; and many other leading researchers and nutrition authorities.
My education has equipped me with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and preventive health. Drawing on these skills and my knowledge of different dietary theories, I work with clients to help them make lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results.
Are you curious about how health coaching can help you? Let’s talk. Schedule an initial consultation with me today.
Contact me – vilmaswellness@gmail.com
As a coach, I put the power back in Your hands
My Approach
I practice a holistic approach to health and wellness, which means that I look at how all areas of your life are connected. Does stress at your job or in your relationship cause you to overeat? Does lack of sleep or low energy prevent you from exercising? As we work together, we will look at how all parts of your life affect your health as a whole. Some of the many benefits of holistic health coach:
Stabilising at your natural weight (get to your ideal BMI and stay there)
Better digestion
Flat stomach (no more bloaty-belly)
Healthier, brighter skin
More supple joints
Improved sleep
Lower cholesterol and blood pressure
Stabilised blood sugar.
Better moods and more positive sense of self
Clearer thinking
Reduction of dependency on pharmaceuticals
More Energy
Better Eating Habits
Improved Overall Health
A Better Body
Improved Confidence
My approach is not to dwell on calories, carbs, fats, and proteins. It is not to create lists of restrictions or good and bad foods. Instead, I work with my clients to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun and rewarding.
Together we’ll work to reach your health goals in areas such as achieving optimal weight, reducing food cravings, increasing sleep, and maximizing energy. As we work together, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the food and lifestyle choices that work best for you and implement lasting changes that will improve your energy, balance and health.
Integrative Nutrition® Plate
The Integrative Nutrition Plate emphasizes the importance of local and organic produce, whole grains, high-quality proteins, plant-based fats, and water. It shows you how a plate should appear at mealtime and emphasizes the importance of proportions and portion size. To complete the picture, the plate is surrounded with lifestyle factors that create optimal health: relationship, career, physical activity and spirituality. I’ll introduce you to some of the healthiest foods on the planet and teach you how to find what’s healthiest for your unique body!
Primary Food™
It’s easy to overlook all of the things that contribute to our sense of nourishment and fulfillment. It’s not just the food we eat that affects our health, but all of the other factors present in our daily lives. Healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, regular physical activity, and a spiritual awareness are essential forms of nourishment. When these “primary foods” are balanced, what you eat becomes secondary. I will support you in achieving all of your goals, from eating the right foods for your body to living an inspired, fulfilling life.
Bio-Individuality™
The concept of bio-individuality is the idea that each of us has unique food and lifestyle needs. One person’s food is another person’s poison, and that’s why fad diets tend to fail in the long run. Working on the principle of bio-individuality, I’ll support you to make positive changes that are based on your unique needs, lifestyle, preferences, and ancestral background.
Crowding Out
Many nutrition experts give their clients a list of foods to avoid and foods to eat, which explains why so many people are turned off by nutrition. My approach is different – by eating and drinking foods that are good for you, you will naturally have less room and desire for unhealthy foods. Simply put, you will “crowd out” the unhealthy food in your diet. This takes a little practice to make happen, but I will support you all the way.
Deconstructing Cravings
Cravings play a critical role in understanding what your body needs and shouldn’t be ignored. When you learn how to deconstruct your cravings and understand what they’re really telling you, you will be able to reclaim a sense of balance and harmony.
Success Stories
“I initially started out on the Detox program to support my husband. I was very sceptical and could not understand how a 12 day Detox would make me feel and look better. The initial 2 days were tough, mainly due to the constant headaches from no caffeine or sugar and understanding the different foods and preparing them correctly. It was out of my comfort zone and time consuming at first. However by day 5 I woke up realising I didn’t need 2 cups of coffee to feel awake and when I looked in the mirror I looked fresher and brighter. Day 8 I received comments from work colleagues saying how fresh and bright I looked. This and with my husband and Vilma’s encouragement I was determined to continue.
The second week of the Detox program was easier and I flew through it. I am no re-introducing foods to determine what agrees with me and what doesn’t.
I can honestly say I have never felt so well and after 20 years of suffering spots and breakouts my skin has cleared and is glowing. This is a major confidence boost and can definitely say it is down to this program. Vilma’s help and guidance and eating healthy.
I never felt dizzy, hungry or unwell during the Detox, it takes dedication but is worth it (remember its only 12 days) but the results are life changing and why go back when going forward is so much better.
Vilma has been an amazing support, answers your queries quickly and fully and provides a tremendous amount of information and handouts. It is not something I would have ever done on my own or without support, but have no regrets.”
Thank you Vilma J
Amanda – Essex
“I have exercised regularly for the last four years and have never been able to lose that last bit of belly fat. The only option left to me was to obtain help with my diet/food and drink intake without counting calories.
I met with Vilma for a free 1 hour consultation and to be honest, I was bit sceptical before meeting her. When we met she put me at ease and it soon become apparent that she knows her stuff. She recommended re setting my body by detoxing for 12 days. The thought scarred me but the results were worth it. The first 2 days were tough, as headaches set in from withdrawals to caffeine, and other toxins. You soon get used to preparing the food and the second week was a breeze. You have to be committed to get the desired results.
I lost a total of one stone in 12 days, and was eating more than I was before the detox! So much fresh organic fruit and veg and ingredients that I have never used before. If you like food and new meals ides and cooking this is a great way to get started. The whole process was carried out safely without starving myself, my energy levels were good and I was still able to carry out moderate exercise.
The whole experience was very educational with plenty of handouts and emails. If you follow Vilma’s plan strictly as I did, you will get results. I would go as far as saying it has been a life changing experience. The best investment I have made in my life. I am now in the process of introducing foods that I may be intolerant to. I have found out I am intolerant to corn and would never have found this out if I had tried to do this on my own. Vilma provides all the help and support required. 12 days out of your life is not long. Good luck on your journey if you decide to embark upon Vilma’s detox.
~Kind regards Dennis Brett
Chartered Building Surveyor www.sitesage.co.uk
I completed the 10 day detox with Vilma this autumn and can honestly say I feel 10 years younger! Even better, I have been able to continue the positive eating habits that I acquired during the detox! GONE are my sugar cravings, which I thought was truly impossible.
I gave myself this gift of health for my 54th birthday, and can honestly say it was the best present I have given myself in years! I had gained a tremendous amount of weight in the last 18 months. All my joints ached, and I was suffering from a great deal of “brain fog”. Vilma had touted the benefits of detox so I finally decided it was time to give it a go!
I started on a weekend, which I would recommend, as I did have a few mild symptoms (mostly mild hunger, a few cravings and I was very tired). This way I was able to relax and sleep when my body needed to. The cravings disappeared within 2 days and other than mild hunger, I didn’t suffer any real symptoms. Within a few days, my eyes were brighter, my skin back to it’s normal glow and I dropped 12 pounds in the 10 days! It was an amazing start and I have continued to move the needle on the scale lower since the detox, by adopting some of my new found eating habits.
I plan to do it again in the spring as I feel like it’s great “re-boot” twice a year. I would recommend it to everyone! Thank you, Vilma!
– Celeste from London
Although I’ve done detox on my own once before, I must say this time was different thanks to Vilma’s help.
I think that the idea of staying off your favourite foods is always a bit alarming but thanks to the wonderful and creative recipes she provided, I didn’t feel too restricted. Also what I liked is that Vilma has a holistic approach – it’s not only your food, it’s the whole package of taking care of your body, well-being and having a positive mindset! I felt much more energised after the detox.
– Piret, London
Thank you for everything. Your knowledge and support was tremendous.
– Cox, NY
Having suffered from chronic musculoskeletal pain for years, trying to control pain with various diets, painkillers,steroid and botox injections, nerve blocks, even nerve electocution I realised the only one thing I had never properly addressed was WHAT and WHY all these substances were doing to my body. As well as trying to mask and cover my pain through drugs, I also tried to change things with crazy diet and exercise regimes, as I have always been overweight and attributed a lot of this to my bad back problems. I had tried all sorts of ‘diets’ and had varying degrees of success, but in one way or another the after effects always seemed to be more negative than when I originally started. I realised I hadnt actually got a clue about nutrition, what works for my body, my condition, my symptoms and my mood. Like the majority of people out there, I was more intent on quick fixes, fads and diets that promised the world but in reality they were the worst programmes I could have followed.
I met Vilma through our mutual association at Bikram Highbury and Islington and after our first consultation, I knew immediately my mind and body deserved the chance Vilmas approach and programme offered to reach and maintain optimal health – the natural way. Throughout the initial pre-detox and gentle detox, Vilma was always on hand with advice, guidance and support, offering great ideas and alternatives and keeping me motivated to stay going. Through monitoring, recording and mindfulness it wasnt long before I realised that not all the pain I had been suffering from for years was entirely related to my back and musculoskeletal problems; I discovered I had gastro-intestinal problems that had never been diagnosed or treated in the past. Within a few weeks of proper medication, nutrition and taking care of myself, I noticed at least 50% of my painful ‘front’ problems (ie stomach, intestines) greatly improved. Vilma was always available on the phone for a chat or over email, and her support meant a lot to me, particularly during a very confusing & depressing time when I felt like I was being ignored by the medical profession for years with regards to my complaints about pains in my front (always blamed on trapped nerves, ribs collapsing, inflamed subcutaneous fat). Theres only so many times you can be turned away with no satisfactory answer from the professionals, it doesnt take long to hit a newer found low than ever before.
Even though I am only at the very start of my journey to better health, I have never felt more positive and confident that I am on the right track. I have already noticed that I have lost some weight, my stomach is looking a bit flatter, my skins and eyes are brighter, my cravings are easier to manage and control and my mood is uplifted. I used to feel like a tightly vacuum packed bag of clothes, with every last drop of air sucked out, all that remained was a hard and unmovable lumps of concrete where once lovely soft spongy pain free tissue was…. if you’re still following this little analogy, now I feel like the air valve has been opened up a little and day by day more oxygen gets in, allowing for greater movement & a general feeling of more space for everything to just be. Pain levels remain high, but not as high as always and I am confident that sticking with Vilmas programme and advice over the next few months will only lead to greater success for me with pain, weight loss and mood improvements
Thank you Vilma!
– Susan x
“I went on my first ever detox programme, guided by Vilma Brunhuber. I had met Vilma at a networking event, and as I got to know more about what she does, I decided to finally try detoxing, something I had been meaning to do for quite some time. The post-Christmas indulgence month of January seemed like a good time to start! I had wanted to ‘give my liver a holiday’, feel more full of energy, hopefully see an improvement of skin condition and generally get my body back into healthy mode! I have a healthy lifestyle, but am also aware of the effects of too much rushing around, eating at odd times and in a hurry to fit around my routine, and a weakness for daily fixes of caffeine and sugar.
Vilma was very thorough in guiding me, from the initial consultation, through the various different stages, to post-detox advice. She has a very approachable manner and really cares about each of clients and their different situations and goals. I have always had an interest in nutrition, and she greatly enhanced my knowledge and joined up a lot of dots, so that one of the main results I am happy to take away is a better knowledge of which foods are good for us, how to prepare them to make them optimally nutritious, and the manner in which to eat them. Added to this was an increased awareness of which are the toxic substances that surround us in daily life and how to replace them with items that are better for us and the environment.
Each day, I received helpful emails, and the offer of speaking over the telephone if I had any queries was always there. It was a more complicated process than I had anticipated, but a very good one whereby my body was gradually led into a deeper detox and gently back out again, so as to avoid a nasty shock! Apart from feeling quite tired at times (mainly my own fault as I didn’t rest enough!), by the end I felt more energised, positive, my bloating had gone and my skin had improved.
I would definitely recommend trying this, and with such a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and helpful guide!”
– Catherine
“I have enjoyed variations of meals in the menu, it was very tastefull and filled me up. Most of them and I am using even now.
During detox it was not bad as i expected and was just on fluids but could handle it quite well, i had some cravings for sweet and all normal food i used to eat before i started detox but all juices filled me up very well, so i did not feel hungry. Detox i went though without problems and was enjoying each meal.
The detox was for sure positive experience for me and i am planning to continue doing it at least twice a year if not more often, will listen my body and find out when it is needed again”
– Lenka
Two years of fertility treatment had left my body in a yo-yo state of weight fluctuation and hormonal mental ashes and time for a full body & life detox. A friend suggested Vilma’s services and I enrolled in the 2 week detox followed by her 6 month plan. Over the course of the 2 week detox I felt my mind and body cleanse and mentally lift. I shifted the bloat from all the hormones and steroids and found energy and mind clarity. By the end of the detox I felt I had climbed a very high mountain and reached a positive state of mind and was excited and ready for my next challenge: better nutrition and long term change in my eating behaviours. Along the 6 month plan, I discovered new foods and discarded ones I’d eaten most of my adult life. (The coconut is now my best friend! ) One of the most challenging aspects of the journey was retraining myself to look at coffee (caffeine), dairy (cheese and ice-cream) and alcohol in total elimination or small moderation. Along with foods, I focused on taking time out for me and acknowledged it is ok to have a down moment and that tomorrow will be better. Vilma and I met every 2 weeks for 1 hour to discuss my progress and what the next hurdle to understand should be. I found Vilma’s scientific knowledge of supplements and nutrition excellent; always an email away to discuss any food labels or question I had regarding. Vilma’s approach was completely professional and confidential. I would recommend anyone wanting to change their eating habits or have a complete life overhaul to enrol with Vilma.
Good luck and look forward to a new you!
– XX
“Vilma, I had worked with you for over 11 years, in the beginning years, I thought the food you brought from home was strange. You always offered a tasting or explained what you had brought in for lunch, I believe I always turned down your offer to try in the beginning.
As the years went on, I always saw the joy and happiness you got from your healthy food, as well as how great you felt and looked. You were never sick and always full of energy. You always had a sparkle in your eyes when you discussed how easy it was to prepare and substitute healthy ingredients into cooking, you made it look and sound so easy.
I personally started to take a good look at my own health, weight and eating habits, which were not the best. I got inspired by you Vilma! You encouraged me that I could make a change in my life and it would be life changing! In the beginning it was hard, but as I started to see my body change and realize how great I was starting to feel by eating the correct food, I new something was happening. You were always there for me to ask you any questions regarding food and vitamins. You guided me in the right direction. That year I lost 35 pounds and felt better then I have in years. My thought process about what I put in my mouth to eat really changed, and I was no longer afraid or made up excuses as to why I couldn’t exercise.
Vilma, I want to thank you for always being there and guiding me to make the right decisions to jump start my change. It was your love of life and passion for fueling your body with the correct nutrition that inspired me to do the same with my life and body.
For ever grateful”,
– Colleen
“Thanks! Keep the good advice coming! I’ve lost 12 pounds so far.”
– Margaret
“I’ve managed to keep off the 30 pounds I lost in 2009-2010 by eating reasonable amounts of what I really like which is vegetables and whole grains mostly and exercising about 5 times a week. The 20% rule came from the Jungle Effect book you suggested to me and which I read last January. Anyway, clearly I was inspired.”
– Marilyn
I would like to share with you a personal success story, which made me very happy and my husband super-surprised. My husband is a scientist with a doctorate in biochemistry. Any health subject I bring up has to have scientific evidence to convince him. So I dig and search for proof that traditional medicine, healthy eating, and mind/body balance can bring health benefits, desirable weight levels, and overall happiness. But there are some things that are considered good in the health community that scientists haven’t studied completely or invested enough money in research to prove a hypothesis one way or the other. Long story short, after some time he said “let’s try it your way”.
Because of his weight gain, elevated cholesterol, and especially high triglycerides in the bloodstream, my husband first tried a modern approach to improving his health. He took cholesterol medication and did some walking as exercise. The result was minimal. So we changed the plan to having better eating habits, positive thinking, and added in some more walking (brisk walks twice a day for 3 months). We waited 3 months to do a blood test since it takes about the long for the blood to completely change. I don’t believe in diets, so we went the old fashioned way. We had simple, healthy, home cooked meals with lots of vegetables, whole grains, fruit and a small amount of animal protein (about once per week on the weekend). We even had nice deserts and wine. The food was delicious, fun, easy, and quick to make. He never complained about being hungry or bored from the food we ate.
Finally we did the blood work and got the results. Super good! HDL (good cholesterol) is high, LDL (bad cholesterol) is normal, and triglycerides were super low. This was really surprising because there was minimal improvement using medication. Success! Little changes, fantastic results.
To your success, ~ Vilma
Vilma's Wellness 