|
We are well into the new year, but a lot of us are still coping with that holiday weight gain. Not everyone has achieved one of the most common New Year's resolutions: lose that weight!
Help is here. And the focus not only is on weight loss, but on boosting metabolism, motivation, and movement. All are factors conducive to helping to ensure permanent weight loss, says Debbie Curtis, sales and marketing director of Thin & Healthy's Total Solution.
One of 40 locations nationwide and in Canada, the Princeton office opened last October at 380 Wall Street, adjacent to the Momentum Fitness facility. It is the first Total Solution program on the east coast.
"Our program is unique," points out Ms. Curtis. "If you follow the plan, we guarantee you will lose two to seven pounds a week, and with permanent results. It's a retraining of your metabolism, and the program emphasizes nutrition, exercise, and motivation."
Favorite Foods
Six coaches, a dietician, and personal trainer are on hand to help clients achieve their goal, whether it is to lose 10 pounds or 100 pounds.
"The first thing we do is calculate the client's metabolism. We do this primarily based on weight, body fat percentage, and activity level. Your metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories," explains Ms. Curtis. "We build the program around your favorite foods, and we emphasize moderation and portion control. When you can eat the foods you like, however, you don't feel deprived."
A dietician helps plan the program, and all the staff has had thorough training in the Total Solution methods. Both adults and children (ages seven to 12) are enrolled in the program, and currently there are more than 100 members (including mothers and daughters) in the Princeton location, says Ms. Curtis, who is also sales and marketing director at Momentum Fitness, and whose background is in personal training and sales.
An important part of the Total Solution program is boosting the metabolism by building more lean muscle mass. One way to accomplish this is through resistance training, and all members of the program have access to equipment and classes at Momentum Fitness, plus the help of a personal trainer, whom they work with every two weeks.
Each client's exercise program is geared to that individual. "For example," points out Ms. Curtis, "if someone is very overweight, we suggest they start just by walking to and from their car. And then try to do a little more each day."
Clients also keep a daily food journal in which they note everything they eat. "This makes you more mindful of what you are eating," says Ms. Curtis. "People eat for a lot of reasons, not just because they are hungry. Often it can be emotional — depression, disappointment, stress, anxiety, boredom. It's reaching for food when you are not hungry."
Other Choices
These are actually "motivational assassinators", she points out, and the program helps clients to be aware of such practices and encourages them to make other choices when "emotional hunger" strikes. Take a walk, read a book, call a friend, get a manicure.
Munching at night, when one is not physically hungry, but has a craving, is very common. A little ice cream, a chocolate bar, potato chips, etc. are temptations, and hard to resist.
In fact, adds Ms. Curtis, "Some people continuously 'graze' throughout the day and really forget what it is like to be hungry."
Clients are encouraged not to skip meals (not a good idea) and to drink more water. "Sometimes," says Ms. Curtis, "people think they are hungry when they are actually thirsty."
Eating out can be a problem, she adds, because restaurant portions are so large. "We give clients tips about going to a restaurant and customizing their dinner. Asking for baked, not fried, fresh vegetables instead of French fries, or having an appetizer and salad instead of an entire meal. If they do not eat all the food, diners are also encouraged to bring it home.
Ms. Curtis adds that it is important to note successes in the food journal, such as when one opts for an apple instead of a candy bar or water instead of a Coke, going for a walk instead of eating a piece of pie.
Life Management
"This is life management," she explains. "It's learning to make choices that will help you reach your goal and help you continue to practice good eating habits when your goal is achieved."
She also notes that if a client overeats during the holidays or at a party he or she should accept it and move on. Everyone can have a lapse, and then strive to do better the next day.
Total Solution clients have had outstanding success losing both pounds and inches and boosting their metabolism, resulting in more energy. Some have lost more than 100 pounds.
Ms. Curtis can personally vouch for the value of the program, having lost 35 pounds in three months. "The weight had been creeping up," she reports, "and no matter how much I exercised or tried to diet, it just didn't come off. I had never been involved in a plan like this, and I followed it diligently. It has made a big difference to me."
Clients come in twice a week for a weigh-in and evaluation of their food journal, and to discuss their progress with a coach.
Total Solution also offers a cookbook, and healthy snack bars in assorted flavors and protein supplements are available. Monday and Tuesday, the staff makes a special dish from the cookbook for members, and once a month, there is a party, with healthy refreshments made by staff and members.
Yo-yo Syndrome
Once clients have reached their goal, the focus is on maintenance. Avoiding the yo-yo syndrome, where weight loss alternates with weight gain, is of major importance.
"When you reach your goal, then you want to work out the next year of your life without gaining," says Ms. Curtis. "Once you have lost the weight, it's a different focus. You don't want to gain it back, so the maintenance program involves a time management plan. You want to keep your motivation strong, so you don't drift back into eating for the wrong reasons."
Don't let those "motivational assassinators" get the upper hand! This is not just about taking weight off and keeping it off, she points out, but it is being in control of your life, and motivation is an important part of that. When one achieves a goal, it is a confidence builder; then the next goal can be reached.
The Total Solution program offers a series of CDs and email programs to help clients maintain motivation. They also have the help of coaches during this time.
Ms. Curtis observes that although it is helpful to have the support of family and friends, "you do this for yourself. It is your life and your choices."
Clients typically pay a monthly fee, and a variety of payment plans is available. For those hoping to lose a lot of weight, special discounted packages are offered.
Ms. Curtis is very pleased with the results of Total Solution, both for herself and for the clients. "It helps people to feel better about themselves, to have more self-esteem, as well as to be healthier. I am very happy at how close we all are — the coaches and the members. The bonding that occurs. We are so glad for the members' success. We are very proud of this program. How often can you be in a job where you change people's lives?"
Thin & Healthy's Total Solution is open Monday through Friday 9 to 7, Saturday 9 to 1. (609) 688-8446. Website: www.thinandhealthy.com.
