It's been less than a month since Patricia Robbins started on the emotional and physical road to recovery.

In June, the 49-year-old domestic abuse survivor was chosen as the winner of the Racine Dream Team's fourth annual makeover. Called Fresh Start, the theme of this year's makeover was to help a woman who had survived domestic abuse and help her heal some of the emotional and physical scars from the past.

"I'm very glad I did this," said Robbins, who has already started the makeover process. "It's better than I thought it would be. I can't believe all these great things are happening."

Over the past few weeks, Robbins has been working with nutritionist Suzanne Williamson at Razor Sharp Fitness on a healthy eating plan. She did a detox diet for one week that eliminated all fats, sugars and carbohydrates from her diet.

"It sounds bad, but its not that hard. It's a lot of fruits and vegetables and, of course, water."

The plan was very simple to follow, Robbins said, and has her feeling really great. "It helps clean out the toxins in my system, which helps with stress and anger," Robbins said.

Williamson said Robbins is now on a balanced diet, and has already seen some results. "She's doing awesome," she said. "Hopefully she's making a lifestyle change. She said even her (teenage) daughter is eating better as well."

Robbins also started working out with personal trainer Ernie Zuberbuehler at Razor Sharp twice a week, and will be working out on her own other days.

A little sore and a little tired, Robbins said she welcomes the physical demands.

"I felt good after I did it," she said. "The soreness will go away and I know it will benefit me. I'm actually looking forward to my next appointment."

Dr. Kim Kind-Bauer of Kind Dentistry has begun dental work on Robbins. She recently underwent a five-hour appointment, during which temporary caps and veneers were put on her teeth.

Prior to the long dental appointment, Robbins said she was eager to have it done and see the results. "(Dr. Kind) is a really great dentist," she said.

Perhaps most importantly, Robbins has started meeting regularly with life coach Pamela Grant. The sessions are like counseling and a workshop all wrapped up together, she said.

Grant has given her the tools to cope with her emotions, reduce the stress in her life and build her self esteem.

"I've had some really good discussions with her," Robbins said. "Everything is changing. I feel at peace with myself."

As a survivor of domestic abuse, Robbins has struggled for the past few years to try and put the pieces of herself back together. She applied for the makeover because she no longer wants to live in the shadow of her terrible past. She wants to be free from the emotional pain, find closure and make positive changes in her life.

Robbins said she also hopes to inspire other women in abusive relationships to realize they don't have to stay in those kinds of situations.

Robbins wants a fresh start, and the Racine Dream Team is hoping to give her one.

"We would hope to erase some of the scars from the past, both emotional and physical," said Kind-Bauer, who founded the Racine Dream Team. "We want to raise her self esteem and try help give her a fresh start."

After three years of makeover projects, the team was debating whether to hold another this year.

Instead of abandoning the community project, they decided they wanted to make a really big impact in the life of someone special.

"We wanted to target a select group of people that really, really needed to be uplifted," Kind-Bauer said.

They decided to offer the makeover to a victim of domestic abuse. After announcing the makeover and collecting applications, a panel of judges selected Robbins.

Robbins, who has worked at Racine Residential Care as an administrative assistant for 27 years, said her friends at work and her family are all very supportive of the changes she would like to make.

In addition to the physical fitness, dental work and emotional coaching, Robbins will receive treatments and services from Aspire Salon and Spa, Headlines Design Studio and Spa and J&N Ultra Tan.

Follow the makeover

The Journal Times will be following Racine Dream Team makeover winner Patricia Robbins throughout the 12-week program. We will document her successes and struggles, both emotional and physical, as she continues to pursue a fresh start for herself.

The makeover is a project started four years ago by a group of Racine professionals who wanted to transform the life of someone in the community, while also showcasing what services their businesses offered.

This year the makeover is being sponsored by Kind Dentistry, Razor Sharp Fitness, Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha, Aspire Salon and Spa, Headlines Design Studio and Day Spa, life coach Pamela Grant, J&N Ultra Tan, Photography by Raylene, Charcoal Grill and Rotisserie and Image Management.

For more information on the makeover program, visit their Web site at http://www.RacineDreamTeam.com