I have battled weight all of my life. I've 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 I 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 I cycles, I now go to the Phase II class, which meets every other week. The format is the 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.
Kathryn 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!
Holly Haggerty
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