As a conscious consumer, I take stock of my and my family's impact on the environment. We buy organic foods. We avoid artificial food additives and preservatives. We ride our bikes for transportation. We recycle. We do these things to reduce our footprint on our community and the environment. However, the environment also leaves a footprint on us...

"I had battled weight all of my life. I had been on every “diet” in the world, losing 20, 30, 40 or even 50 lbs and then gaining it all back and then some, so many times I can’t even count them. I finally gave up on diets deciding they do not work, but unfortunately, I kept getting bigger and bigger. I finally hit bottom and my weight was well over 220 lbs. I saw an ad in the paper for Healthy Lifestyles and emailed Kathryn Evans to get some information. I met with her and I liked what I heard, I would learn how to make lifestyle changes and not follow a strict diet. I admit, I was skeptical, but what did I have to lose other than lots of weight...?

I joined the Phase 1 class, which met every week with the same 8 people. We followed the Learn Program and took turns talking about our challenges and successes for the week. The good part was, we were not lectured to, we all gave our input and we benefited from each other’s experiences. I went home weekly with new ideas and a plan of how to continue to be successful at my weight loss quest. For the first time in years, I was actually losing weight and keeping it off! I am not dieting; I am making lifestyle changes I can live with. I also started to exercise again. I walk 4.2 miles, which includes lots of hills by my home in Williston, and attend Jazzercise classes, which provide me with cardio and strength training. I exercise 6 to 7 days a week for at least one hour. I actually crave exercise now.

After completing two Phase 1 cycles, I now go to the Phase 2 class, which meets every other week. The format is same. I have learned how to balance the amount of calories I eat in a day with daily exercise to be able to lose weight. Sometimes it is not an easy feat! But Kathryn offers the right amount of guidance and ideas to be successful. I have lost a total of 75 lbs! It’s hard work, but it’s “work in progress” and the results are well worth the effort put forth.

Healthy Lifestyles has many programs to help you learn about every aspect of wellness. She provides us with opportunities to attend one-hour seminars. Topics have included meditation, meeting with a financial advisor, a personal trainer, a Naturopathic Dr, learning about what foods to eat to prevent menopausal symptoms and many more. She also leads an Exercise group on weekends to get everyone out together to burn some calories. It may be a walk up Mt. Philo or on the bike path in Burlington, a hike at Shelburne Farms, a bike ride, etc. Healthy Lifestyles is a total program for weight loss as well as learning about wellness.

You too, can be a success story, take the plunge and give Healthy Lifestyles a try. It’s the best decision I have ever made!"

Your Personal Best is a private fitness facility located in South Burlington, Vermont which offers one-on- one programs focusing on helping individuals achieve optimum health and fitness.

The name of my business is Your Personal Best because being your personal best is something we all strive for. Whether your goal is weight loss, sport specific conditioning, increasing fitness while dealing with special medical considerations, or just counteracting the effects of aging, you want to look, feel, and perform at your personal best.

What separates Your Personal Best from other fitness facilities is it’s private one-on-one approach. When doing a session with me there will be no crowded gym to deal with. It will be just you and me going through your program. There will be no interuptions or distractions. This will, in turn, increase the effectiveness and enjoyment of your program.

Everyone has different needs in both the areas of exercise and nutrition. There is no “cookie-cutter” approach. By taking a clinical approach, and utilizing protocol established by the American College of Sports Medicine, I will develop a safe and effective program for you tailored to your goals and current fitness level.

In addition, I will provide you with all the support, guidance, motivation and education you need to achieve your goals and make fitness a lifestyle. Since 1998 I’ve been working with individuals from all walks of life with different goals and ability levels. Whether you are experienced at exercise or a beginner I have a program suited for you. For more information visit my website or give me a call at 658-1616. A coupon for a free consultation is located at the bottom of this page.

Maurice “Moe” Brown CPT ACE, IFPA Owner Your Personal Best Fitness Consulting

Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer

Time and time again, our clients were coming to us complaining about their pedometers: they weren't counting all steps, they were counting too many steps, or they were re-setting back to zero without the user pressing the button. It got to the point where we felt unable to recommend using a pedometer because of their unreliability. After researching Consumer Reports and a couple of web-based reviews, we found this pedometer. The Omron HJ-112 is now the only pedodmeter that Healthy Lifestyles will recommend. Dual-sensor technology accurately measures steps when worn at your hip, in your pocket or around your neck. We now have numerous clients successfully using this pedometer. It really works and they love it because now they can track their activity level day to day with confidence. It has become a real motivator!

What a novel idea: if you want to know how to successfully lose weight, study the real experts--the people who have done it! Registered dietician Anne Fletcher did just that. She surveyed 160 "masters" who succeeded in losing at least 20 pounds and keeping the weight off for at least 3 years. This was the minimum; most lost far more weight--an average of 63 pounds--and more than one-third have kept the weight off for a decade or more. How did they do it? Thin for Life presents their success stories, strategies, motivation, inspiration, and tricks. Most had tried "many times and many ways" to lose weight before discovering what worked for them and how to prevent and recover from relapses. Some techniques worked for many--such as keeping a food diary and increasing exercise. Others were highly individual and will spur you to do your own creative thinking. Fletcher compiles the "10 keys to success" that emerged most often, lets the masters speak for themselves throughout the book, and fills in additional, valuable information and resources. Whether you have 10 pounds to lose or 100, this book will help you do it--safely, effectively, and permanently. Highly recommended.

Upcoming Phase I Groups:

Mondays: 9 to 10:30 am (new group) beginning as soon as we have 8 registered participants

Wednesdays: 10:30 to 12 noon (new group) beginning as soon as we have 8 registered participants

Wednesdays: 7 to 8:30 pm (new group) beginning as soon as we have 8 registered participants

Mondays: 7 to 8:30 pm beginning 9/11/06

Wednesdays: 8:30 to 10 am beginning 9/20/06

Thursdays: 5:30 to 7 pm beginning 10/5/06

Limited enrollment of 8 participants for each group. Contact Healthy Lifestyles today for more information and to register!


Upcoming Workshops:

"Cleansing Your Body from the Inside Out" with Dr. Sam Russo of the Vermont Naturopathic Clinic. Friday, September 15th, 7:00 pm at Vermont Naturopathic Clinic, 321 Main Street, Winooski. Dr. Russo will discuss the important health benefits gained by cleansing your body of accumulated environmental toxins. He will detail the process of detoxification and will describe the 3- week cleansing program co-presented by Healthy Lifestyles and Vermont Naturopathic Clinic*. $5 to $10 suggested donation to benefit the Healthy Lifestyles Scholarship Fund. Contact us to register.

*There is an additional fee for those who choose to participate in the 3-week program.