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| Vol. 19, No. 3 | Sept. 16, 1999 |
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| Vol. 19, No. 3 | Sept. 16, 1999 |
For some, dieting in America has become a necessary evil, one of life's most frustrating experiences. Bombarded with quick weight-loss schemes and new diet groups almost daily, the average American is often confused about the best and most effective ways to lose weight.
The Employee Wellness Center has an answer, offering experienced staff teaching sound nutrition principles and safe and effective ways to lose weight through nutritional counseling, fitness classes and information sessions.
Paul Hubbs, HVAC, is a Wellness success story. According to Marianne Carter, Employee Wellness, Hubbs has lost 15 pounds since he began nutrition counseling last year.
"Last September, his weight was 195," Carter said. "He has lost 15 pounds and has been able to maintain this loss despite holidays, vacations and other challenges. His success is not from 'dieting,' but from making small, common-sense changes like reducing portions and increasing his activity.
"Hubbs' success proves that dieting doesn't work. He has tried commercial programs, and he even tried quick-loss liquid diets, but none of these methods was effective," Carter said. "Small simple changes in eating and exercise paid off for Paul. He feels better and has adopted these healthier habits into his normal routine, which has prevented the relapse and subsequent weight gain that most dieters encounter when they stop dieting."
Hubbs saw his doctor who encouraged him to lose weight to relieve the pain from the arthritis in his back and knees. "I tried other plans," he said, "but they seemed to push their own food and they cost a lot of money. I read about the nutritional counseling in the UpDate and contacted Wellness. Since then, I have been working with Marianne Carter and I am really pleased with the results.
"I weigh in each week, and I keep a food log that Marianne and I go over to see where we can cut out or reduce my food portions," he said. "I have learned how to eat one hamburger instead of two, eat a banana and juice instead of an Egg McMuffin, and choose a small sub instead of a medium or large.
"I also drink a lot of water, sipping throughout the day, even during meals. The Wellness program is about small realistic changes, not drastic ones. I don't feel deprived at all, and since I have lost the weight, I fill up so much quicker now. I would like to lose about 10 more pounds. I believe that I can keep these dietary changes for a lifetime."
Hubbs also said he has learned to include exercise in his daily life. "The first 10 pounds were easy," he said, "but I knew I needed to increase my activity to lose more weight. Right now, I walk in my neighborhood at home three or four days a week for 35 minutes," he said. "When the weather cools down, I am going to go to the gym more often and use the bike or treadmill. I feel so much better now, and I still eat cake."
In addition to individual nutrition counseling, employees can use their Wellness Dollars for the Group Weight Management Program called "Dump the Diet," which will begin in October.
For information, call 831- 8388.
-Gail Walford
