[caption id="attachment_6860" align="alignleft" width="250" caption="Barbara in Hilton Head, 2009"]
[/caption]Flying back to New Jersey from Kansas, I was reading a magazine and came across an article on the best places to kick start your weight loss program. Up to that point, I had tried every weight loss program but continued to be on the weight loss rollercoaster; I was unfit, overweight and very unhappy. In other words, I needed help and Hilton Head Health seemed like it was just the ticket.
In making the decision to visit H3, I had to overcome my fear of exercising with other people. Exercise classes were not my cup of tea, but group exercise was far less scary than living with diabetes for the rest of my life.
To my relief, the staff and clients were non-judgmental and I quickly realized that we all shared the same goals, strength and weaknesses making yoga classes not as terrifying as I feared. I had two wonderful roommates and by the end of our two week stay, the new guests thought we were sisters.
I was amazed that after two weeks, my cholesterol and blood sugar readings were in the healthy ranges – I am convinced it was all thanks to the “eye opener oatmeal.”
Upon returning home, Bob’s messages about being committed to making a change, “if nothing changes, nothing changes,” and making “unwise, better or best” choices have helped me to me navigate the challenges of over-working and emotional eating.
My biggest challenge was to keep up with strength training at home but I found a class at my gym that helped me to stay motivated. In addition, I hired a trainer in Princeton too so I can continue working on the Pilates Reformer. I never would have thought that I, being afraid of group fitness before attending H3, would now not only feel comfortable in group fitness classes but would enjoy them so much that they have now become an intricate part of my new healthy way of life.
Best of all, I love returning to my new home at H3 and am looking forward to my fifth year in the near future.
Barbara Basel – Painsboro, NJ
A great article...congratulations on your success. After five years you deserve some recognition!
ReplyDeleteInspirational - I, too, overcame some long-held fears during my week at H3. I am still savoring the experience. I carry it with me each day and feel like staff members are accompanying me on my fitness journey.
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