Glen Ivy Spa, Brea recently hosted a  Weight Loss and Wellness Pilot Program. Overall the program has been rated very successfully and a regular program will be introduced at Glen Ivy Spa, Brea, in Spring 2011. We were curious about the experiences of the participants, and sat down for a quick question and answer session with a few of the participants, please read on…

From Jeff J.

1. What was your motivation behind participating?
   I had a cholesterol test that was above 300, I had just started buying the next size up in pants and I wanted to make sure I changed my lifestyle while I still was able to.
2. What aspects of the program did you find were most helpful?
   The most helpful part of this program was the weekly meetings. I think I already knew what I needed to do, but the weekly meetings added a level of accountability.
3. What aspects of the program did you find were most challenging?
   The most challenging aspect for me was documenting what I was eating.  Though this was the most challenging, I don’t think I would have succeeded without it.
4. What have you taken away from this experience that you think others may benefit?
   I have definitely learned to make better decisions when it comes to food and exercise.  I hope others see the choices i am making and think for themselves that they can do this too.
5. What have you discovered about yourself through this experience?
   I have discovered that I can maintain a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing much of comfort foods.  I have also learned that I need to cook more.  Without control of the recipe, you have no way of knowing if it is healthy or not.  I have learned to adapt recipes to make them healthy.
6. Has your perspective on health and wellness changed? If yes, in what way?
   Absolutely!  I now see what it takes to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  I must eat right and exercise.  Going through this program allowed me to understand where the balance of nutrition and exercise needs to be in order to maintain that lifestyle.
7. Reflecting on your success, what goals or intentions have you set for yourself this New Year?
   Well, my first goal in this program was not necessarily weight loss.  I needed to live a healthier life.  My family history is not very good when it comes to cholesterol and heart disease.  I had a cholesterol test and it was over 300.  Halfway through this program, I had it tested again and it was 198!  That is a true testament to why I wanted to be involved in this program.  Now that I am much healthier, my next goal is a “6-pack.”  I feel great and am on the way to a much healthier, and sustainable, lifestyle.

From Cynthia C.

1. What was your motivation behind participating?
   I had already begun working out at the gym for the past 2 months and I still wasn’t losing any weight. I had grown frustrated with all the methods I tried before.
2. What aspects of the program did you find were most helpful?
   I had found that learning what foods and how much of those foods a person needs in order to be healthy. The amount of food I was previously consuming was well above what it necessary.
3. What aspects of the program did you find were most challenging?
   I found it most challenging to work out everyday. Having 2 small children and no access to workout equipment made it a little difficult to get moving. I was grateful for the examples and ideas of workouts I could conduct without ever having to leave my home.
4. What have you taken away from this experience that you think others may benefit?
   I learned how to choose healthier options and still be satisfied.
5. What have you discovered about yourself through this experience?
   I have discovered about myself that I can live a healthier lifestyle and still be content with myself. I have also learned that I am strong and can do anything I set my mind to.
6. Has your perspective on health and wellness changed? If yes, in what way?
   My perspective on health and wellness have completely changed. Staying healthy is hard work. I can’t stay healthy and lose weight if I don’t put forth the effort and make the right decisions each day. In the end all the hard work pays off and is very fulfilling.
7. Reflecting on your success, what goals or intentions have you set for yourself this New Year?
   I have so far lost 20 pounds which is well above the goal I had set for myself in the beginning of this process. In the New Year I plan to continue on this journey of weight loss and healthier lifestyle change. I am turning 30 yrs old in June and hope to have lost another 15 pounds by then.