Get H3 Inspired: Barb Wood

My experience at Hilton Head Health (H3) was nothing short of what I expected; and I had high expectations given the reputation of H3.

During the summer of 2012, my husband Randy Wood spent five weeks at H3 and lost nearly 30 pounds.  The physical transformation was impressive.  He came home glowing.  Upon wrapping up his time there, he called and asked me “So what two weeks work for you?”  It wasn’t an order, but a passionate and enthusiastic request because we both struggle with our weight.  April 2013 was chosen.

I spent the next six months changing nothing and gaining more weight.  By February 2013 I had hit the wall.  I saw a number on the scale that just did me in.  At that point something mentally clicked for me.  I immediately cut out all the garbage and sweets.  I had no desire for them anymore.  I started a meager work out two days a week.  It didn’t last very long as my heart wasn’t into the exercise.  However the elimination of the bad foods continued.

April finally got here and I knew that the next two weeks were going to be about me and my health.  H3 was the jumpstart I was craving and I was ready to make a change.  I was tired of being tired.

From the moment I arrived at H3 I felt welcomed.  I fit in and there was no stigma about a number on the scale or the size of my clothes.  The guests at H3 are like-minded and the staff embraced every one of us for who we were: people on a mission to make positive changes in our lives.

I arrived and met the staff and my (awesome) roommate and I felt like I belonged.  I realized that after my initial weigh-in, I had already dropped 7 pounds since I had changed my diet in early February.  I was already off to a great start.

The schedule can be a little daunting at first; kind of like being a freshman on the first day of school! But you quickly learn to pick the classes and lectures that mean something to you.  The tough part of course is realizing that they all mean something, but with a 2-week stay, I had time to pick and choose.

You quickly learned who the veterans and long-timers are as they were immediately into the groove and just had a wisdom about them.  They had a lot to offer.  Friendships were made quickly…and are ones that will serve us well long after we have left H3 for our own realities.

In 10 days I lost a little over 7 pounds.  Given the gourmet quality of the food we were served, this was really exciting.  Dieting didn’t mean boring and bland food.  It meant food that is colorful and full of flavor!  At 13 days I was down 9 pounds.  The drive home to Vermont was a long one but I made smart choices about the food I ate and at 15 days…I was down 10 pounds.

The transformation was amazing for me.  I feel great, my fat clothes are getting baggy and mostly…I have energy.  I am equipped with notes from lectures and the knowledge that we all will stumble…we are human after all.  As someone said, “Weight loss isn’t hard. Losing weight is.”  It’s a rule of in and out.  Less calories in, more calories out.

I purchased my Fitbit One at H3 and I wear it every day.  It has become the subtle little voice of H3 to just keep moving, because doing something is better than doing nothing.

I arrived home knowing that Randy and I will make regular treks to H3.  It is that course-adjustment we sometimes need in life.  I look forward to returning as a veteran.  Most of all, I look forward to interacting with the staff of H3 and their enthusiasm for a healthy life and the absolute desire to help us get there.

 Barb Wood – Pittsfield, VT

Sharing Success: Justine

Justine wrote this on her birthday last week. She is an amazing example of determination and sustained success. What a difference a year can make!

[caption id="attachment_7914" align="alignright" width="143" caption="Justine - Before"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_7913" align="alignright" width="152" caption="Justine - After"][/caption]

Today, I am happier and healthier than I can ever remember being as an adult on my birthday.  One year ago today I made the decision to change my life.  I was miserable.  I was obese, severely depressed and stuck.  I saw the rest of my life as being as sad, lonely and miserable and didn't know what to do about it.  My mother offered to take me clothes shopping to cheer me up since it was my birthday.  We parked at the mall and I walked into the store only to have a panic attack as soon as we reached the "Women’s" section.  I burst into tears and demanded that she take me home.  We got back in the car and on the way home I cried and cried and then turned to her and said, "I have a problem and I need some help." I had been looking at H3's website for a couple of months leading up to this and had an idea that a place like this could maybe be part of my answer.  Through tears I told my mom about the website and the facilities, and when we got home we looked at the site and made the phone call.  On June 6th 2011, I arrived at H3 for a month long stay.  I can truly say that the decision to go to H3 saved my life in every way possible.  My life is now completely different. 

During my stay at H3, I lost 12 pounds and gained a renewed sense of self and purpose for my life.  The impossible now seemed within reach.  From the day you arrive, the staff starts preparing you for when you leave—the main goal being maintaining and adapting your newly found enthusiasm and tools for healthy living into your everyday life.  Before leaving, I signed up for H3 @ Home Coaching with Amy Kelderhouse.  That's when my real work started.  I threw myself into my new lifestyle head first and have never looked back.  I started cooking all of the meals for my family and have become quite the chef, finding healthy recipes and trying them out on my very willing family.  I plan all of my meals in advance and make sure I'm getting the appropriate nutrition.  I started running...ME!  The girl who once said, "I will never understand people who run"....that's ME now!  I run 5 days a week and truly look forward to it!  I've had depression for 15 years and I have YET to find ANY medication that works better for me than my natural endorphins.  I am happier and more even keeled than I can ever remember being in my entire life and it is due to my now very active lifestyle. 

Most importantly, I am healthier.  In just under one year I have lost close to 60 pounds, gone down 3 sizes in clothing and can now shop in all of my favorite stores.  My body is still a work in progress, but my confidence and my self-esteem have reached never before seen levels—and even better, I now see a future for myself that is entirely possible.  H3 let me take control of my own life and I am forever grateful to Amy and the rest of the staff there for that.

My weekly phone calls with Amy were a lifesaver.  It was so helpful to be held accountable to someone.  It was also a weekly reminder of everything that I'd learned at H3, and if you've met Amy, you know that her sunny personality and sincerity can make any frustration you may have just disappear!

Get H3 Inspired - Barbara Basel

[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

Get H3 Inspired - Janine Serell

Over the last 20 years I have gone to a variety of spas, usually once per year to help kick start my focus on living healthier. Though I have been to other places more than once, H3 is the only place I have continued to visit time and time again—and I plan to continue visiting from here on out.

I first came to H3 in November of 2009 for one week. I didn't really have specific goals before coming the first time; I was simply hoping to get back on track with my health.  I didn’t know it at the time, but it turned out goal setting was something I found I needed to work on. In just one week at H3, I left 4 pounds lighter, with achievable and realistic goals for my health and a game plan for my return home. While the exercise classes were all great, the real benefits for me were the lectures and the one-on-ones I shared with my Health Habit Coach. Goal Setting, Body Image and Developing Your Week One Action Plan were lectures that truly stuck with me and that I continue to attend every trip back to H3. My Health Habit Coach taught me how to set realistic and achievable goals, which I am proud to say I actually followed through with.

One of the other great aspects of H3 is how much all the participants learn from one another. The conversations during meals of people's experiences and journey's have inspired me beyond losing weight; to ask myself what do I want to spend my time and money on? What brings me joy? How can I get out of the rat race or find a better balance to it all?

Before my first visit, I sprained my ankle 2 weeks prior to arrival so I thought I would be limited on the classes I could participate in ….which turned out to be one of those great blessings in disguise. Really, my only apprehension was that my sprained ankle would stop me from getting all the benefits of the program, but it didn’t take long for me to realize I had no need to worry. Since I had a hurt ankle, I spent most of the week in the pool. It reminded me how much I enjoyed being in the water—I found my passion for swimming while at H3.

To me, my newfound love for swimming turned out to be the most important thing I gained from my H3 experience because from that point on I decided I would only do exercises that brought me joy. When I returned home, the first thing I did was join a gym with a pool and started swimming. I had never swum competitively before, just recreationally as a kid. But, by January I had signed up to do a one mile swim in July 2010 to keep me focused on my goal…shockingly for a very successful person, I had really never had a goal before. In July 2010 I swam that 1 mile in the Hudson River in 38 minutes - my first race of any kind ever.

I have continued to come back to H3 ever since my first visit a couple years ago and each time it’s a different experience. The last time I attended the 3-Day Boot Camp Workshop...something I considered a stretch because I knew it would be difficult, but I gave it a try and loved it! I formed a bond with the people participating in the Workshop with me—it was great having the same group the whole time and being able to count on one another because we were all stronger and weaker at different things. It felt really great seeing that I was in good enough shape to keep up with the group...the previous year's work had really paid off in what I could enjoy doing.

In the last two years I have made the following changes in my life, many of which were inspired and supported by my time and the great staff at H3!:

• Quit a 35 year pack-a-day smoking habit in September 2010


• I am 30 lbs less than the first time I went to H3 (I’m working on the next 30)


• Swam from Brooklyn to Manhattan under the Brooklyn Bridge


• Bought a beautiful road bike—I haven't gone more than 20 miles but am enjoying riding it without hands while singing off key (it’s NYC, so comparatively speaking it’s not that crazy)


• In June 2011, I swam around the Statue of Liberty in 33 minutes


• Took up running on December 31, 2010 (didn't want it to be the New Years Day fall by the wayside cliché)


• And, my biggest accomplishment to date...on September 24, 2011, I swam 10k (6.2 miles) in the Hudson in 2 hours and 45 minutes!

So those are just some of the milestones during my journey in the last 2 years with H3.
Janine Serell; New York, NY

Sharing Success: Katharine Carek

Katharine Carek came to Hilton Head Health for one reason: “I don’t want to die,” she said. “I love my family, and I want to be here for them.” Facing reality, Katharine knew that she had to address her weight, high blood pressure and diabetes if she wanted to stick around. While “fear-based” motivators are not generally the strongest in terms of long-term compliance, what Katharine discovered along the way was her true motivation: to LIVE—not just to exist on this earth, but to lead a rich, fulfilling, happy life. And that’s exactly what she’s doing today as she continues her quest toward her “best self.”

When Katharine first started the coaching program, she was intimidated about gym classes—worried that she couldn’t keep up or that others would judge her because of her weight. With encouragement, she took a chance and attended some group fitness classes. “I developed the attitude of doing what I can and not worrying about what other people think,” she said. Now she’s hooked—attending a variety of classes five times a week. “People come up to me in the gym and say I’m inspiring. I love that I can inspire other people to get healthy,” she said.

Since leaving H3, Katharine has reduced her clothing size from a 24 to a 16. She’s boxing up her “big girl” dresses for charity and plans to buy a new wardrobe when she reaches size 12. She recently purchased a pair of boots. “I look hot,” she said, thrilled that she no longer needs the styles for extra-large calves!

The side effects of her weight loss are dramatic, to say the least. Her blood pressure is now normal with no medication. She has been able to drop one of her diabetes meds and now needs only one mild medication for the condition.

But perhaps the biggest change is in the area of confidence and self-esteem. Katharine and her husband are taking dance lessons, something she never would have considered before. She recently attended a neighborhood party where she danced the night away. “I’ve never in my life felt this good,” she said. “I look in the mirror and say, ‘Not so bad!’ I can cross my legs again—for the first time in 20 years. I feel so ‘adult’.”

 

How has H3@Home Coaching benefitted you in any of the following areas:

Appearance: LOOKING GOOOOD!

Motivation: Pretty darn high!

Energy: Running circles around my younger husband!

Exercise Habits: Does the title “Gym Rat” ring a bell?

Eating Habits: Not perfect, but greatly improved!

Sleep: Much better.

Self Esteem: Much, much higher. Greater confidence in social situations.

Stress: Extremely low, not much of a problem. I have been dropping activities that are stressful.

 

What successes can you attribute to wellness coaching and the continued at-home support?

Continued support keeps me focused on all that good training for both emotional and physical optimal well-being that I learned at H3.

Home coaching with Linda Hopkins is a continuation of that education and support. It doubles the value of the time and money that was spent at H3.

Get H3 Inspired: Karen McCarty

There are many compelling reasons that motivate people to come to Hilton Head Health. The most obvious is weight loss but the programs there go much deeper than calories and exercise.  Before coming to H3, my eating schedule was haphazard at best.  Many mornings all I had was coffee and wouldn’t eat until mid-morning or afternoon. Usually, I had only two meals a day. In July, I saw my physician and was diagnosed with diabetes.  I should have seen it coming; poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, a family history of the disease, and gaining weight in the perfect apple silhouette. That’s when I knew I had to make a change and commit to managing the disease with diet and exercise.

After researching dozens of health and weight loss retreats, I chose H3 and traveled from Oregon to South Carolina. When I arrived, I was immediately impressed with the courteous and friendly staff.  I checked into my “cottage” which resembles a townhouse, complete with washer and dryer. It felt like home. You’re given a backpack, water bottle and a notebook/binder. The binder is a terrific idea; it has sections for Nutrition, Exercise, Self, and Schedules so you have all your notes and handouts organized for you when you go home.

I was surprised to learn that lunch and dinner were sit down meals, elegantly prepared and served—no cafeteria lines here! And the food is delicious, nutritious and low in calories to promote weight loss. The ingredients are fresh, many coming from the H3 Garden.  A main principle at H3 is to eat smaller portions throughout the day, so you never feel hungry and your blood sugar is stable. In addition to the three basic meals, you eat a “Metabo Meal” (snack) three times a day. This simple routine made a significant change on my health.

I decided to stay at H3 for three weeks, giving myself the benefit of time for the things I learned in the program to stick and to participate in the Diabetes Enhancement Week. It completely surpassed my already high expectations. I’ve lost 5% of my weight and my glucose levels are now in the normal range—all from the healthy H3 diet and exercise.

But let me share with you, this is no “boot camp” environment. The professional staff and long history of H3 (founded in 1976) provides an atmosphere that rivals any spa or resort. The outdoor pool and hot tub are salt water; there’s no chlorine to dry out your skin.  The common areas are immaculate and fresh white towels are provided all day long. If you’re poolside and it’s time for the Metabo Meal, fresh fruit and veggies miraculously appear.

The exercise classes are fun and there is enough variety offered to satisfy everyone. There are classes that target strength training, flexibility and cardio. And, H3 is such a supportive environment that you can experiment with classes there that might be more intimidating at home. I found that the cardio-boxing class was a lot of fun, but would have been reluctant to try it at home if it weren’t for H3.

You can rent a bike to explore the island along easy bike paths. There are also off campus excursions like kayaking, golf, tennis and even movie nights. Several times during the week, one of the H3 chefs will have a cooking demonstration where I learned to make cherry ketchup! It’s fantastic!

Other superb options include scheduling a massage, a one-on-one session with a trainer, a consultation with the chef to help you plan for meals at home, or a private meeting with one of the fitness experts to create a customized workout plan for you to do at home—one of the services I have found most useful. The staff there is totally committed to your success. The guests are friendly and it’s possible to make lifelong friendships with some of the people you meet during your stay.

The website and H3Daily blog offer a lot of resources for guests after they return home, and H3 also offers a H3@Home Coaching program to help you stay on track after you leave with one-on-one emails and strategies for success.

When I ask other guests their impression of H3, everyone concurs, “This place is fantastic.”  Often heard is, “This is the best thing I have ever done for myself.” I would encourage you to try it too.

Thank you!

-Karen McCarty; Portland, Oregon

Get H3 Inspired: Jeni Hayes and Cheryl Haze, A Mother/Daughter Journey

Jeni Hayes (Daughter), Charleston, SC

As an NCAA athlete in college and group fitness instructor afterward, I have always been blessed with the motivation and ability to exercise often and make healthy food choices.  I managed to maintain my weight throughout college and pharmacy school, but residency was a different story.  Stress eating is no joke… although I was still going to the gym 7 – 8 times each week, the pounds started to creep on and suddenly my clothes didn’t fit as well as they used to.

After finishing my 2-year residency, I had a few weeks before starting my new job.  When my mom, Cheryl, and I decided to take a trip together, I started looking for places that had two of my favorite activities – fitness and good food.  One of the places my mom found was Hilton Head Health (H3), and as I read more about their program on the website, the more intrigued I became.  Honestly, I couldn’t think of any better vacation than taking group fitness classes and having someone else cook for you while in a beautiful location.  Since my mom has been struggling with her weight over the last few years, it seemed like the perfect place.  I had 3 goals for my trip to H3: Get my mom inspired to lose weight again, spend some quality time with her, and to get myself back on track.

Get H3 Inspired: Huntley Galleher

I am a 50 year old man who has been in the education field for 26 years. I was once a math and science teacher, as well as a football and tennis coach for 13 years. In all my years of being a coach, there were only four of my players that could beat me in a set of tennis. I have always considered myself an athlete, and I still do today! However, I did not realize how out of shape I had allowed myself to become these last 12 years. Then 7 months ago my weight truly became an issue. I needed to walk from one location to the next, which I had done many times before but had not walked this exact path in several years. My mind said no problem, but after several minutes I realized it was going to be a challenge to get to my destination.  My breathing became irregular and my lower back was in excruciating pain. I found my whole torso hunching forward. I knew right at that point that my weight was the number one issue. That day I found myself thinking of all the issues I had been dealing with the last several months, and some the last several years. Every morning I had been waking up knowing that once I stepped out of bed I was going to be dealing with pain in my legs, feet or my back.

So I began my search for a change - I started first by asking my diabetic doctor for the opportunity to have lap band surgery. After a long discussion she actually convinced me to make a different decision. Her message was that my last blood test showed considerable progress and she told me that surgery was considered the last option. I listened and I took her advice; she and I even discussed Hilton Head Health in that conversation. So I was out the door, on my computer that night and looked into about eight different facilities throughout the country. Hilton Head Health kept coming up in my searches, and the stories and examples of the people that had been guests at Hilton Head Health continued to impress me. On March 2, 2011, my 50^th birthday, I decided Hilton Head Health was the place for me and I was not going to let this opportunity pass.

Coaching Corner: Sharing Success – Mindy Buford

As we continue our Sharing Success series, look at the strategies these members have taken to create their healthy lifestyle. It is not a one size fits all approach and that’s what a healthy lifestyle change is all about. What works for me is not what’s going to work for you. There are bits and pieces we can take from one another, but at the end of the day Mindy has discovered what in the end will work for her.

Mindy’s success is due to her discipline, determination, and ability to be affective on the go. She began her H3 journey in early February, only able to stay onsite for a short time. Mindy happens to be a Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator; she is on the road protecting and monitoring patients up to 5 days per week. Being at home is not an option for Mindy, except on the weekends. How was she able to manage this switch with such a schedule? Planning and commitment.

Mindy works in time for exercise; scheduling walks throughout her days on the road. Walking at shopping malls or swimming in the hotel pool, she makes it happen. Additionally, Mindy has a quick Fit Ball routine and has become a weekend warrior where she takes longer walks (up to 8 miles) with her friend on Sundays. What’s even bigger is that her nutrition is absolutely on point when she’s on the road. She mentioned: I am getting so good with my choices now that it’s almost easier when I’m traveling. A couple weeks ago Mindy went on her annual Virginia Creeper Trail Biking trip with and felt the best ever, period. She completed double the mileage, 34 miles to be exact, and had a healthy weekend with friends and family. Keep reading to hear her entire story…

Get H3 Inspired: Dale Bornstein

[caption id="attachment_5892" align="alignright" width="420" caption="H3 Roommates! Mary Kruse (right) and Dale (left)"][/caption]

 

I think I truly underestimated what stress can do to one’s mind and body. For the past two years, I was living in what I called “a perfect storm” – the combination of working full time in a senior leadership role at a global public relations firm, raising a pre-schooler with special challenges and heading into my late 40s with hormones dancing in all directions.

In February, I hit bottom. I found myself 35 pounds heavier than my usual adult weight and it was having a serious impact on my ability to function day to day and also manage my chronic health issues.  

No matter what I tried, I couldn’t make change stick. That’s when I realized I needed to get away. I needed to be able to wake up each day and make my health my priority.

Once I made up my mind, I got to work researching the possibilities and that’s when I found H3. 

For me, it was a big decision. If I was going to take precious time away from my family and my work, I needed to make sure that this would be the right place for me. I scoured the website, talked to Michelle and other H3 consultants and even connected with some folks who had just returned from the program. And as they all raved about the program and the people, I kept thinking, “this just can’t be as good as they say.” But everyone was right. This was among the best experiences of my life and the greatest gift I have ever given to myself.

From an Intern's Perspective: My Story

As many of you know, I was an intern at Hilton Head Health this past spring. One of the best parts of being an intern is having the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and from all walks of life! I met people from Germany, Canada, Barbados; I met someone who used to work for the Carters, a couple that lives on a cruise ship, and a stay at home mom who volunteers at her local library. I learned countless lessons from everyone I met. I feel I learned more from them than they learned from me.

It’s funny because no matter where everyone was from, I was always asked the same three questions while talking over the Sunrise Beach Walk: One, what’s your major? Two, what are your plans after school? And three, do you have a boyfriend. (Yes, this is the honest truth! :-)) I’m not sure if it was my own insecurities, but one question that no one asked during my internship was had I ever struggled with weight loss. The answer to this question is yes, I most certainly have. Today, I’d like to share my story with you.

Growing up I was always the sibling who was more interested in singing and movies than going outside to play. I hit my growth spurt early and was the tallest and heaviest kid in class grades 3 - 5. I had a gap in my teeth and was jealous of all the pretty, thin girls in class who could wear shorts while I would only wear pants. It was this way all the way through middle school, minus the gapped teeth because three years of braces fixed that.

I gained some confidence in high school and started to take better care of myself. I was finally out of those size 20+ jeans but still never considered myself to be one of those pretty, thin girls. My confidence continued to build, however, when I started to take on leadership roles in school organizations. Going into college, I just stopped caring about the numbers on the scale and only focused on school, voluneering and making friends my freshman year. This is when I had my wake up call.

Coaching Corner: Sharing Success – Kappy Strahan

As a wellness coach, you tend to learn a lot about people. Above all, every single person is unique and distinct. For this week’s coaching corner, I would like to share with you the success of a young lady named Kappy Strahan—someone who is younger than ever at the age of 66.

 

In late January, Kappy’s journey began at Hilton Head Health and from there on she unlocked something inside of her that can never be taken away. If you asked her in January what she enjoyed most about exercise, Kappy wouldn’t have been able to give you a straight answer. During Kappy’s final days at H3, she attended a personal training session with Fitness Specialist Amber Shadwick; where she learned about Pose Running Technique, a safe and efficient way to run.  She wondered could I really start running at 66 years old?

The answer was YES of course. Beginning the H3 @ Home Program, Kappy started to incorporate run/walks into her morning routine and weekly goals. Kappy discovered she didn’t enjoy the gym … she had to be outside. Being able to feel the endorphins and remain as free as possible invigorates Kappy, and it’s grown to be more than just a sporadic exercise but is now a morning ritual. She began to slowly build from 2 days a week to 4 days a week—and from there, 1 block a day to 5 miles a day. She’s now regularly training, or in Kappy’s words, “enjoying [her] body’s posture and way of moving” by hitting a distance of at least 2 miles each morning, 5 times a week. As a result of her new passion, Kappy told me she had to have a yard sale one weekend for all the clothes that no longer fit.

What’s more enticing is the difference the people closest to Kappy see inside her.  Kappy’s whole perspective has changed and her positive love-for-life attitude is affecting others. As one of Kappy’s bold three month goals, she decided to pick a road race and finish it. This weekend Kappy will be running in the 33^rd Memorial Day Boulder 10K with her daughters and family members. One of the largest 10K races in the country boasting over 50,000 runners, Kappy will begin her run at 9:10 am. Please wish her luck as her journey continues and as she crosses her first finish line. The truth is … Kappy has already crossed it!

Please enjoy other thoughts from Kappy on her H3@Home Program Experience:

Get H3 Inspired: Joy M. Nonweiler, Ph.D., Esq.

Today, we have a special H3 Get Inspired message from Joy Nonweiler! I'm sure that Joy's message will resonate in many of you as it has in me. Next Wednesday, I will share the story of my struggle with weight loss as part of my "From an Intern's Perspective" series. I hope that everyone enjoys Joy's post! Feel free to comment if you have a story you'd like to share or were inspired by Joy's message. 

 

Betrayal from Within
Well, it may sound dramatic, but "betrayal from within" perfectly describes what I felt about menopause and advancing age's effects on my body. I was 56, married for nearly 30 years, and an overachiever with degrees from bachelors through doctorate, and multiple successful careers in medicine, business and most recently as an attorney. In addition, I was concurrently a part-time group fitness instructor, and had been for over 20 years. But for about the past five years I was also miserable. Overweight by at least 50 pounds, uncomfortable in my own body, and ashamed that with all my resources, education and background I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I was usually the one other people came to for guidance, but I could not "heal myself" this time. I knew I needed to take action, but I felt like such a failure because I didn't know what to do.

Just before Christmas 2010, I was reviewing my budget. I hadn't been on vacation for many years, and I thought maybe my husband and I could take the whole family to Disney before my nephew went off to college. We had the money, but our two 14 year old dogs were no longer hearty enough for travel or boarding. I was disappointed, but determined to still find a way to decompress. After much thought, I decided to look into a fitness vacation.

Get Inspired - H3 Guest Testimonials

As I know I’ve mentioned before – the best part of my job is being able to witness the life changing experience our Guests have while they're here, and hearing about their continued success once they’ve returned home.  So today, I’d like to share with you some recent Guest testimonials.



If Hilton Head Health has inspired or affected your life and you would like to share it with others, email us at getinspired@hhhealth.com! Please be sure to put “Get Inspired” in the subject line.