H3 Guest Review: Great Experience!

We all want to live the healthiest and happiest lifestyle we can, but we don't always know the best way to create those positive changes. LOSE Well guest, Cindy W. wanted to make that move towards a healthier self and decided to visit Hilton Head Health to create her own path. Despite her initial nervousness about coming to H3 alone, Cindy quickly overcome those fears with the support of our staff. Read all about Cindy's full experience at H3 on our official TripAdvisor page.

 



 

If you're a previous Guest, we'd love for you to share your life-changing experience on TripAdvisor. Still haven't made it to H3, yet? Take a look at past Guests experiences to learn more about us.

A Mindful Experience at H3

Recently, Donna Adinolfi of Mindful Adventures had the opportunity to experience Hilton Head Health in our LOSE Well program. Donna came not sure of what to expect and even feeling very vulnerable. But after spending 4 weeks here in the program she not only lost a few pounds but she conquered the emotional and physical obstacles standing in her way. Listen to what she has to say about her journey:

 



What obstacles are preventing you from being your healthiest self?

SUCCESS STORY: OVER 100 LBS LOST IN 1 YEAR

We applaud past Hilton Head Health Guest, Jan Gregory, for all her hard work! She stayed motivated and focused and lost over 100 pounds. But we're not just proud about her weight loss, we're estatic about what she's gained through the process. She can not only see her results but she feels much healthier and happier.

After finally deciding she needed to make a healthy change, she choose to come to H3 for some help on making that change a reality. She has accomplished more than just a drastic physical transformation, she's achieved a mental transformation. Keep on keeping on, Jan! 

Read what she wrote about her journey to a healthier lifestyle.

Wes McCullom Success Story

Wes had never considered taking a weight loss vacation…that is until his wife Bee suggested he escape to Hilton Head Health for a week in May of 2014. Wes was “fed up.” “I was disgusted with how much I weighed. I had always been an athlete, but for the last nine years I let everything else get in the way of exercise,” said Wes, a lawyer from Alabama. He cherished his wife and daughter, but knew that his health was stopping him from getting the most from their relationships.

So, Bee called and set the two of them up for a one-week retreat at H3. “I never expected it would have such an impact on me,” commented Wes. Admittedly, he was nervous at first. “What would I be eating? Will I be able to do all the exercise? I’m so glad that Bee joined me, without her support I wouldn’t have gone in the first place.” Wes met with Director of Education, Bob Wright, on the morning of his first day to review his health assessment. “I was 40 pounds overweight, but Bob emphasized that this shouldn’t be about a number. He convinced me it was about a ‘lifestyle change’,” said Wes. Throughout the week Wes attended as many sessions as possible. “I could feel my mind changing gears. I started thinking - I’m going to be an athlete again.”

To Wes, two things he said stuck out the most: the ‘Unwise, Better, Best’ mantra that he learned in a restaurant guide class and a metabolism test that he had scheduled with Bob. “All the other diets I had tried were extreme. The Unwise/Better/Best principle simplified the process.” Wes would go on to make smarter choices back at home and when faced with several food options he’d pick the ‘Best’ possible choice. “I find myself reverting back to that mantra on a daily basis.” The metabolism test, a scientific way of analyzing caloric expenditure, helped him realize that he was drinking far to many calories. “It was a wake-up call. During my consultation I learned that I was drinking over 1400 calories of sweet tea each day.” Wes hasn’t had a sweet tea since, and avoids sugar as much as possible. “As I removed sugar, other things started tasting better. Strawberries never tasted so good!”



 

Wes felt rejuvenated. He had a newfound commitment, a plan for success and a supportive atmosphere at home. “Having a wife committed to fitness and daughter that plays a collegiate sport has been important. They’ve been so helpful. And I am very thankful for them.” In less than 6 months Wes has lost a total of 55 lbs. He completed the 30-kilometer bicycling leg of a team triathlon with his daughter and her boyfriend. (pictured above)

But, “I don’t want to make everything sound easy. It really isn’t.” says Wes. “A friend told me early on when I started a run/walk program, ‘just put one foot in front of the other’. I would hope that when people read about my story they see someone like themselves who simply decided he had enough and was going to do something about it. Inspiration comes from within. I guess what I’m getting at is that H3 makes me feel like part of a team that is invested in my success. My wish would be for folks to see themselves in my story and realize that you can accomplish your goals with some effort on your part and some support from others.”

See what this Guest has to say about H3

We strive to create a positive, nurturing atmosphere to foster the best health and wellness experiences for our Guests. We appreciate getting direct feedback from our Guests through TripAdvisor, surveys, Facebook, emails and even hand-written letters. Feedback from our Guests let us know how well we are accommodating them through our staff, programs and dining options. As we continue to upgrade our facilities and improve our programs, we hope to keep motivating Guests to work towards healthier, more fit lifestyles.

Read what this past H3 Guest has to say

Making a difference in the lives of our Guests is our highest priority, from their stay to long after they’ve returned home. All our the programs from Hilton Head Health—LIVE Well, PLAY Well, and LOSE Well—have been carefully designed to motivate and inspire.

Offering an inviting, nurturing environment is paramount to rejuvenating and encouraging healthy lives. Our goal is to make every stay at Hilton Head Heath as perfect as this Guest’s:



Read the full review on TripAdvisor and if you're a past Guest, leave your own review about your stay at H3.

Read what a real H3 Guest has to say

At Hilton Head Health weight loss and wellness resort, we strive to create the perfect environment for our Guests. Whether they're goal is significant weight loss with our weight loss program or to achieve a healthy lifestyle and wellness with our wellness program, we want our Guests to achieve lasting results and enjoy their experience. Seeing as we're always looking to make our weight loss and wellness programs better, we love to read our Guests feedback and learn that they're happy with their experience at Hilton Head Health. This particular review from Hilton Head Health alum, Shaan T. made us smile!



We're so happy than Shaan enjoyed her stay and left her feedback. We would love to hear yours, as well! So tell us, how was your experience at Hilton Head Health weight loss and wellness resort?

H3 Guest Testimonials

We love getting feedback from our Guests about how they enjoyed their experience here at Hilton Head Health. Knowing what type of impact our staff, facility and cuisine has on our Guests' stay is important to what types of improvements and decisions we make regarding our weight loss programs, wellness programs, facility expansions, dining experience and more.

When asked to describe their experience during their wellness program or weight loss program at Hilton Head Health in 25 words or less this is what a few of our Guests had to say:

"Amazing place. Terrific food. Knowledgeable, helpful and caring staff. The perfect place to begin my journey to more healthy living."  -Betsy C.

"Great help and experience. Just lost my mother from cancer last month and everyone was supportive to get me back on track, especially Lisette. She is a keeper." -Karen W.

"I came here to jumpstart my way to a better thought process for health and exercise. I will take what I've learned and use it to find a healthier me! The instructors are awesome!" -Suzanne K.

Want to hear more from our past Guests? Read more reviews on our TripAdvisor and watch our Guest testimonial videos.

So now we ask you H3 alum, can you describe your experience at Hilton Head Health during your weight loss program or wellness program in 25 words or less?

Sharing Success: Lacresha Granger

I have been overweight since I was a child.  I can remember on the first day of fourth grade telling a friend that I needed to go on a diet.  Looking back on it, it seemed like I was so old at the time, but was merely a young child.  As I got older, my weight problems have only increased.  Sure there were a few times where I was actually successful at weight loss, but the success was short lived.

I love watching weight loss shows because I enjoy hearing people’s stories and seeing their transformations at the end of their journey.  About two years ago, a show called “Heavy” came on, so I just had to watch it.  I enjoyed the show, and being from South Carolina, I was surprised to hear that the place on the show was located there.  I did my research and figured I would not be able to go there because it was not in my budget.  My husband said that he could send me to Hilton Head Health or to one of the Biggest Loser locations.  I was interested, but I did not want to go because I felt it would be a waste of money since I was not mentally ready.  In those two years, I have auditioned for the biggest loser, done weight loss plans, and imagined myself losing weight, all without success.

This year in January, I began working out in my home gym.  I overdid it and injured myself.  I was in and out of my various doctors’ offices and just still did not feel well.  I got to the point where I began to feel helpless and hopeless, and I felt like I really needed a new start.  I looked at H3 again and told my husband that I wanted to go because I needed somewhere that I only had to focus on myself.  H3 seemed like the most attractive place, and besides, I had pictured myself there so many times.  My husband and I put a plan in motion to get me to H3.  When I spoke with Michele Musulin and she was so friendly and encouraging, it made me feel like I would be right at home at H3.

When it was time to go, I was excited, but nervous because three weeks seemed like a long time to be away from home.    Since Michele had already sent me the schedule for the week, I had gone over it.  I knew I wanted to try kayaking and I wanted to sign up for the hands-on cooking demonstrations.

During my first week, I tried the Shelter Cove kayaking, and I absolutely loved it!!! It was much easier than I thought it would be and so much fun.  It was so much fun that my cell phone decided to stay permanently on the adventure.  Kayaking was something I would have never felt comfortable attempting before my journey at H3.  Now I know it’s something I would try away from H3.  While there I also encouraged other guests to sign up for it.

While at H3 I attended most of the available lectures as well as the hands-on cooking demonstrations.  I tried most of the workout classes.  There was such a wide variety of workouts; there is something for everyone.  Even when the classes seemed too difficult, I just wanted to push myself.  At the end of each class, I was always glad that I had pushed forward to completion.

I am a person who loves good tasting food, so that was one of the more enjoyable experiences at H3.  They seemed to take pride in the flavor and variety of food offered.  Another thing I enjoyed was meeting all the great new people.  My favorite workout was probably Wii Dance because you get a workout that is just a lot of fun.  I also enjoyed the sunrise beach walks, water fitness classes, drums alive (really awesome class), kayaking, salsa dancing (I was pretty good.), cardio boxing (Thanks to Michael for encouraging me to try it.), and resistance band training.

Some of the most valuable things for me were the hands-on cooking demonstrations.  I attended the Grilling, Southern Comfort, and Desserts demos.  I love to cook and bake.  I especially love baking for others. It would be nice to have some ideas that I’ve tried that aren’t a caloric nightmare.  The classes that I took gave me some fresh new and healthy ideas to take home with me.  I also gained valuable information from the cooking demos, especially the pizza class with Chef Karla.  She provided lots of ideas.

When I attended the Putting It All Together class at H3 on the Friday before my departure, I left the class in tears, happy tears of course.  I had been struggling with my triglycerides for a few years partly due to my insulin resistance.  This was one of the numbers that I was warned would probably increase before it decreased.  I was shocked to see that mine dropped a little over 50%; I was down 14 pounds and a little over 7 inches, and muscles that I had not seen in years were making an appearance. I felt so blessed in that moment just thinking about what a wonderful experience I had at H3.

When I arrived at H3, I met many great people, some with extended stays and others with short-term stays.  There were so many return visitors who talked about how wonderful their previous H3 experiences had been. I originally wished that I would never have to return to H3, but not long into my stay, I realized that it would actually be a great place to return for a boost from time to time.  On the day of my departure, as I sat in my car in the parking lot of the main building preparing to go home, I thought about how my stay at H3 seemed like a once in a lifetime experience because unlike some people, I don’t know if I’ll get to return.  I felt bad for the people who will never get to experience H3 as I did, but I also felt blessed for the opportunity.  I thought about all the changes, and I felt so grateful to all of the people that I met.  All the staff was so welcoming and just seemed to care about everyone’s well-being.

Since I’ve been home I’ve made the pesto pizza, stuffed turkey burgers, super soft chocolate cake with oreo cream filling, loaded baked potato salad, and my own version of the Andouille sausage.  I have been working out and tracking my food.  I keep thinking about the lectures I attended at H3 such as Mindful Eating, Nutrition for Health, and Goal Setting just to name a few and incorporating some of the things I learned in them.  I’m not saying that life is perfect since I got back home. I am still working 9 hour days during the week, but now I find time to work out. I try to make most of my meals healthy.  I think I will always hear the “Monkey Chatter” that Lisette speaks of, but I pray that with the changes I am making, the “Monkey Chatter” will quiet down.

H3's Meal Plan from a Guest's Perspective

Not only does today mark our 237^th year as an independent country, but today marks the 4 month anniversary of one of our beloved guests, Brian G.  This makes for a special 4^th of July, especially after numerous guests (including Brian) completed and conquered the local Firecracker 5k on the island this morning.  Four months ago today, Brian weighed in at 349 pounds.  Today, he is 85 lbs. lighter!!  His commitment to the meal plan and making the most out of his stay is something I admire as well as being a great model for any guests that gets an opportunity to talk with him.  I decided to ask Brian a few questions about H3’s meal plan and how it has helped him get to 261 lbs.  Enjoy reading J

Q1:   What 3 main things about H3’s meal plan make it so special?

1.  “The variety, flavor and portion control.  All the food is so fresh and filling.  For the calories, you get more than what you think you would get.  What they can do with the vegetables and minimal salt is amazing.  They turn something boring into flavorful masterpieces.”

Q2:  What is your favorite breakfast, lunch and dinner at H3?

1.  “For breakfast, the apple muesli… lunch is a tough one to answer…either the turkey burger or pita pizza.  For dinner, hands down the chicken cordon bleu.”

Q3:  How have the Chef’s Tables enhanced our dining experience?

1. “I have lost 85 lbs. and have managed to attend every Chef’s Table offered.  It is great to see first-hand how gourmet meals can be healthy.  It shows I can enjoy a little cheese, wine and the finest ingredients—all in moderation.”


2. b.      The picture above is from our Red, White and Blue sorbet—a mix of our strawberry, coconut and blackberry sorbets featured in our America By Three’s Chef’s Table. 

Q4:  Would you rather have the fresh salad bar (Wednesday’s lunch) with the peanut butter mousse as dessert or have our short ribs for Friday’s gourmet meal?

1. He definitely struggled answering this one, but he made his final decision with “short ribs at gourmet night…I’d have it every night if I could.”

Q5:  What one piece of advice would you tell an incoming guest?

1.  “Keep an open mind.  If you didn’t think you liked a particular food, such as fish, then leave that at the door.  You actually don’t need all the unnecessary fat and salt to have flavorful food.”

Q6:  What are 3 recipes you would make once you go home?

“Chicken parmesan, peanut butter hummus and the apple muesli.”

Get H3 Inspired by Win

I knew very little about Hilton Head Health (H3) before signing up for a three week stay early in 2012—only that a friend had been there some ten years earlier and that she did pretty well. So I didn’t expect much beyond a horrible time. Wrong. Very wrong. It turned out that I had a fine time, met a bunch of nice people and lost 12 pounds.

The campus is very attractive. It’s composed of one central low rise college campus-like building in a residential setting surrounded by golf courses and lagoons. Not a hospital! I was assigned to a two bedroom attached condo about a quarter of a mile away from the main building that I found charming and comfortable.

I had no immediate medical issues. I just wanted to focus on losing weight and the core of the weight loss program is simple and turned out to be just right for me.

First, the food is very good. H3 goes to a lot of trouble to provide very nice meals, nicely served and amply sized. You are served enough not to be hungry yet nice enough not to be resentful. I was not tempted to go “off the reservation” out of a sense of deprivation.

Second, there is no compulsion. This is not boot camp but a paradise for people who like exercise. There are scores of classes; however, I didn’t do any of them. I hate exercise. Instead, I walked along the beach and shaded golf courses some five miles each day with no pressure from H3 to do anything else.

What did I learn? I’ve lost 18 pounds since my stay at H3. So I must have taken something away. I learned that you should prepare or order food the way you want to eat it—just eat less of it. Doing so will allow you to enjoy all your favorites without falling in the resentment trap. Also, find some daily activity you can do, not something the other guy likes to do. H3 helped me figure out what worked best for me so I encourage you to do what works best for you too.

-Win.

Sharing Success: Matthew Brown

[caption id="attachment_9086" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Matthew before visiting Hilton Head Health"][/caption]

During 2011, my weight took on new highs, my health sunk to new lows and my doctors had me go through the preliminary classes and tests for bariatric bypass surgery. I had been repeatedly told by everyone I spoke to that this was probably my last chance for a healthy life. Without a radical turnaround in my lifestyle, my diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, venous insufficiency, edema and morbid obesity had me facing an early grave. My wife and I had accepted the surgery as my only option, and we began planning a nice get away to Tortola before starting the final pre-op stage.  The week before Thanksgiving, depression set in as I figured it might be my last holiday season. Then out of the blue, my wife Donna informed me that she had changed our vacation plans and we were going to a place called Hilton Head Health, a weight loss spa. She told me I needed to have a check-up and get clearance from my primary physician to go. When I told my doctor about our plans, he said “Diet and exercise? Go!”

We arrived at H3, greeted by our personal concierge, Keila. Keila told me that not only was I worth it, but she could see it in my eyes, I could do this. She was a constant support throughout our stay, helping us schedule everything we needed, even giving us rides when we couldn’t find one.

We were weighed in - I was 490 pounds and Donna was 268 pounds.

We went thru the H3 schedule and decided we would split up for the lectures to make sure we took advantage of everything we could during our ten-day stay. All the classes were informative, but Lisette Volz and Bob Wright stood out the most, with “Mindful Eating”, “Reading the Labels”, “Having a Plan”, “Writing a Menu”, “How to Deal with the Food Talk and Slips” being just a few of the topics they tackled.

The exercise classes were amazing - I didn’t think it was possible for someone my size to do this stuff, but I was willing to try, and here it is one year later and I’m still trying and succeeding. We set up personal consultations, my wife Donna with Lisette and I with Executive Chef Jen Welper. Both gave us the knowledge and motivation we needed to take home with us to make the H3 Healthy Lifestyle work in our lives.

When I was told how many calories I would eat a day I didn’t believe I could survive, but I was willing to try. How wrong I was! The food was excellent in my professional opinion (I have been a chef for over 25 years, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1988).  Even the wait staff took a personal interest in us, making sure we had not only what we needed, but making us feel pampered too. We made sure to take advantage of the pool as often as possible, for free time as well as exercise, and as a reward, we ended each day with an amazing massage from either Mark or Whitney.

Leaving was not easy, but thanks to the staff of H3 we had the tools we needed to succeed.

When we got home we cleaned out the cupboards and refrigerators. The very next morning we shopped from the list we made in Lisette’s class. We’ve had our slips and have learned that’s OK - it’s natural considering our lifestyle before H3.  We are both healthier, happier and lighter than we’ve been since we got married in 2002.  Neither I nor my doctors can believe the results I’ve had thus far – WITHOUT weight loss medication or gastric operations. I saw my Primary Physician on June 22^nd, six months after leaving H3. Incredibly, I was told I was no longer diabetic, although the diagnosis will be left on my chart for two years before being taken off. My weight is now 297 pounds, down 193 pounds since leaving H3.

When I arrived at H3 I struggled to walk from the taxi to the building. Now, my wife and I walk and jog on a regular basis. My edema has reduced significantly. I no longer feel that this may be my last year, but that this is the beginning of many more to come, with opportunities that I did not and could not dream of before. H3 is truly a life changing and lifesaving program that I will never ever forget.

[caption id="attachment_9087" align="alignright" width="420" caption="Matthew after visiting Hilton Head Health"][/caption]

Update: In Januray 2013, Matthew was pleased to announce that he has now lost 193 pounds since his initial visit to Hilton Head Health.

Get H3 Inspired: Leigh

I am 49 years old. I have been overweight my entire life. This is very difficult to write about because it is very personal. I have been generally successful in everything I have done in my life that is important (such as, I have a wonderful family and a great career); the exception of my success has always been my repeated failure at weight loss. This has caused me enormous frustration and heartache over the years. Beginning in my early teens until I came to H3 last September, I tried every diet and failed miserably over and over again. Making it more difficult for me to succeed at weight loss is that my husband is a gourmet chef and everything he cooks includes butter and cream. Everything he cooks is so delicious and sadly, I loved great food and hated exercise.

Last September [2011] I went to Hilton Head Health. At that time, my only exercise was walking from my car in my office’s garage to my office. In addition, my lifestyle was very unhealthy. I have a stressful job and I worked about 70-75 hours a week, slept maybe 5-6 hours per night, and only ate one meal a day. This combination was my recipe for being overweight and unhealthy (and probably a recipe for an eventual heart attack). When I arrived at H3, all my blood tests (cholesterol, diabetes, etc) were in the high range, just a bit over, but still over the “high” mark. My doctor wasn’t overly concerned except that he was worried about pre-diabetes. I decided that I needed to diet and needed a “kick start” to a diet. All I wanted to do was lose 20 pounds since I understood from Adam in one of his seminars that losing 10% of body weight would result in significant health improvements. (Yes, I was over 200 pounds at that time, which is now very hard to believe.)

During my first week (of two that I stayed at H3) I met Jeff. He was leading Treading. I happened to select a treadmill in front of Jeff (he had not arrived when I selected my treadmill). I thought I was going to die in the class or at least have a heart attack. I asked Jeff if he knew CPR. I will never forget that hour … Jeff was yelling, in an encouraging way, at the class and doing all kinds of crazy stunts but between all that craziness, he was talking to me very softly and compassionately. He was encouraging and telling me what to do so I could keep going. By some miracle, I finished the class (albeit on a very remedial level). Because I took the treading class, I started training with Jeff. It was hard, he pushed me and he was very tough on me. It is what I needed. I decided to train with him two more times and never tried another trainer.I left H3 and Jeff was my H3 at Home health coach. Health coaching started in early October 2011 after I left H3.

Sharing Success: Susan Oglesby

They said it couldn’t be done; or, rather, I think I had simply given up on ever getting it done.  

In the fall of 2011, contemplating my upcoming 65^th birthday, I had gotten, if not comfortable, at least used to my 100 extra pounds, clothes that looked decidedly not stylish, and a sluggish lifestyle in which a once-in-a-while walk on the treadmill counted as my entire activity.  I rationalized that having survived a serious bout with cancer, a brain tumor, a seriously fractured ankle, quitting smoking and miscellaneous operations, I was happy just to be alive to enjoy each day; but I knew that wasn’t true, wasn’t enough.  I really wanted to get more healthy and active to keep up with my active husband, to avoid dependency on others in my older years, and to get the most of my life which includes a second home in a dream location, including lots of travel.  

So, with the help of a friend, I found Hilton Head Health, enrolled in December 2011, and now – 7 months later – I have really changed things around.  Though I have really worked seriously on the healthy food aspect of the H3 program – and am 50 pounds lighter without any serious feelings of deprivation, much less starvation! The most amazing part of the H3 program, for me, has been the entire turnabout in my attitude toward energetic, fun and productive physical activity!  I have enrolled in the H3@Home program, which is so effective in keeping me on the straight and narrow path to success, and with the help of Coach Amy Kelderhouse, we been able to plan for challenges, celebrate successes, and build an exercise regime that takes into account every one of my 65 years, but also helps build intensity and stamina at a reasonable, achievable pace.  I truly feel stronger and now – incredibly, considering where I started from – find myself enthusiastically looking forward to my daily cardio/strength training, to energetic walks to town, and to athletic walks with my dog, Barone.   Especially helpful for the training has been Amy’s guidance in helping me build a micro-gym in Italy -- where I don’t have access to a regular gym or even a treadmill -- so that I don’t lose momentum when I’m away from home. 

One of my most daunting challenges has been learning good eating habits while traveling, and while eating in Italy – land of hearty family meals that include so much tasty olive oil, pasta, bread, and world-class deserts.   But with Amy’s seemingly bottomless bag of healthy tricks (have you ever taken your suitcase on a brisk walk along airport corridors?), I have learned not just some sneaky strategies for making wise food choices but also ways to help coax my friends and family to support my healthy eating regime.  The best part, however, is that I am building healthy habits to sustain this new lifestyle for years into the future.  I hope that my experiences at H3 and with H3@Home can help motivate other Golden Girls and Boys (we don’t call ourselves seniors, do we?) to take on the challenges of building healthy lifestyles for all the coming years!

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!

Lyle's Path to Losing 100 Pounds

Last week, Lyle Orr visited Hilton Head Health and gave a presentation on his path to adapting a healthy lifestyle. One year ago, Lyle gave this Get H3 Inspired testimonial and since then has taken off on his weight loss journey. Watch parts 1 and 2 of Lyle's presentation below and you will truly be inspired.

Part 1



 

Part 2

 

To view his entire presentation, visit the official Hilton Head Health YouTube channel or check out other features on Lyle's weight loss success:

Lyle's orginal H3 video testimonail on YouTube

Lyle's Sharing Success blog post

 

Sharing Success: Allyson Wolfe

[caption id="attachment_7708" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="Allyson before visiting H3Allyson todayAllyson today"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_7709" align="alignleft" width="420" caption="Allyson today"][/caption]

My story began one fateful day in September 2011, at Hilton Head Health. It was hotter than hell in Hilton Head, SC. My grandmother would tell me that I was sweating in places that ladies should never sweat. It was my first week at H3, and on that particular day, I decided to try treading. Every other day there was another class I wanted to take at the same time that treading was offered. Let me just say, that in the 2 weeks I was at Hilton Head, I NEVER again tried treading.

So what happened on that day ... I jumped on a treadmill. Sounds easy enough. Anyone can do treading (I said to myself). I just happened to select the treadmill in front of that day's instructor but I didn't know that because he wasn't there yet and I didn't know the class. The instructor was Jeff. OMG! I will never forget that hour in my life. Jeff was loudly encouraging the group and doing all kinds of crazy things. If you haven't been to Jeff's treading class, it is worth it for the entertainment value alone! Ah, but I digress...
I thought I was going to die in treading. I couldn't breathe. I was in terrible shape coming to H3. I didn't EVER exercise (I thought exercise was walking from the parking garage in my building to my office). I had lots of weight to lose. I didn't get enough sleep. I didn't eat well. I worked too much. During that treading class and since I was in front of Jeff in the class, I asked him if he knew CPR and if he could save me if I passed out. I thought I was going to die. Jeff was yelling (in an encouraging way) to the group and then talking to me softly and gently. He kept encouraging me to keep it slow, don't do this, don't do that. Then every few minutes in a soft and caring voice - between screaming to the group - he was making sure I was ok. He watched me constantly. I told him that I was going to quit. I couldn't go on. He said very calmly that yes, I could do it. He monitored me throughout the class. Maybe he was nervous he'd have to do CPR! I am proud to say that I did finish the class - by some miracle.
At about the same time when I was at H3, I decided to sign up for personal training. I enrolled in three PTs and because of the treading, I thought I would start with Jeff. I was scared. Everyone talked in the dining room about how hard he is. The PT was great. He was very encouraging. I am so uncoordinated I am surprised he didn't fire me on the spot. Later in the week, I went to the Intro to H3 @ Home Wellness Coaching session. It was great and I was sold. I still think of Amy's story about the man in Colorado. I told my husband about that story when I got home and he cried. While all the coaches seemed great, after treading, I knew I had to sign up with Jeff.
So you may wonder, how has it gone? It has now been six months since I was at Hilton Head Health. It's hard to believe that in only 6 months I have completely changed my life. Most of those bad habits are gone. I have now lost 50 pounds and I am 15 pounds from what my doctor says should be my goal weight. That, alone, is a miracle since I don't ever remember being at an ideal weight. I am now exercising at least 3-4 times weekly - even though I don't really like it. I am getting more sleep, I am working less hours and I am eating very healthy. Also, my blood tests when I arrived at Hilton Head Health were all slightly in the danger zones (for example, my cholesterol was 207). Because they were all border line, my doctor was primarily concerned about pre-diabetes. Now, six months later, all my results are normal and many of all my numbers have gone down over 50 points (my cholesterol is now 140) and I am no longer in the pre-diabetes category. My doctor is thrilled.
I owe ALL my success to Jeff and, to a lesser extent, my motivation and determination. I will be completely clear, without Jeff and the coaching sessions, I probably would have quit a long time ago. It is a challenge, especially when I had so many changes to make and when everyday life brings stresses and other critical priorities (from work or family or whatever). It would have been so easy to quit and in the past, I did quit. I have made it through so many challenges, such as the holidays, visiting family, Super Bowl parties, travel, work stress, home stress, etc. Every step of the way, Jeff was there to encourage me. He never faltered even when I faltered. He has been there to pick up the pieces and encourage me to keep going. He helped me come up with strategies to deal with every issue both big and small.
I encourage each of you to sign up for H3 @ Home Coaching. It works. Yes, it costs some money but it is a fraction of the cost of coming to Hilton Head Health. And, yes, Jeff has saved my life and I will always be grateful for this gift.
You won't be disappointed with the At-Home program and it is so worth the money. If Jeff only got a $1 for every compliment I have received, I would owe him a fortune!
Good luck on your journey to good health. I would definitely recommend H3 at Home Coaching to everyone.

Get H3 Inspired—Darlene Beilfuss

 
My weight loss journey started last Christmas. I made a trip to California to visit my family and friends and it had been about 4 years since they had seen me. The trip was miserable.  I was embarrassed about my weight gain and my appearance. Arthritis had crept into what seemed every joint of my body and was a constant reminder that every step was painful. Everyday life had become a burden I could no longer endure. I was stuck in a downward spiral. I felt helpless and hopeless. Everyone was concerned for my health. At 55-years-old I was unable to enjoy life and participate in anything I once enjoyed. Where to go from here I wondered? There has to be something out there that can save my life.

After returning home, I started watching the Heavy series that was running on the A&E network. I watched every episode multiple times and became convinced that Hilton Head Health was my answer. I spent hours on their website and finally got the courage to call and ask about the H3 Extended & Intensive 6-month program. I spoke to Jessica Noble who quickly calmed me down and explained in detail about the program and assured me that I could do it and be successful. All I had to do was get there.  After gathering my courage and my family’s support, I made the call back to Jessica and committed to the 6-month program.

My first day at H3 was May 23, 2011. My weight was dangerously high and my health assessment numbers were not good either. High blood pressure, high sugar, high resting pulse and my measurements were that of a very large box! Helpless and hopeless was replaced with helpful and hopeful for the first time in years! From that first day I was surrounded with constant support, encouragement and the chance to focus on myself and getting my health back. Everyone there was completely invested in my success. They were all committed to helping me help myself. From the outstanding lectures on healthy lifestyle, the amazing food and so many different exercise classes to choose from, I was in it for the long haul and gave it my all. I worked out with Amy, Amber and Katie more hours than I can count but worth every minute.  Being totally committed to the program allowed me to replace my bad habits with healthy ones. Eating and physical activity was only part of it. I had to learn to love myself again. That’s where my life coach Bob Wright and therapist Beth stepped in.  Weekly sessions are part of the H3 Intensive program and were instrumental in me changing the way I felt about myself. I got rid of all the negative self-talk that played over and over in my head. As the numbers dropped on the scale, my mobility increased tenfold. I was swimming, riding a bike, doing all kinds of exercise classes, not to mention doing all of those things pain free! From eating the healthy fresh food and participating in the fitness classes, my arthritis had disappeared. That in itself was dramatic and life changing.

At my final weigh in [after 3-months onsite] I had dropped 50 pounds. My size 26/28 exercise clothes were long gone and replaced with size 18! My blood pressure was normal, blood sugar was out of the pre-diabetes danger zone, and my resting pulse went down from 86 to 74. My daughter  joined me for my last week there and seeing how proud she was of my accomplishments made it all worth it. I like to say I left enough sweat and tears to fill the pool at H3, but what I took away was life changing. My husband is so proud of me. He got his wife back and says I look 10 years younger. I certainly feel ten years younger. There are no restrictions on life anymore. I get up in the morning and look at the possibilities; a far cry from counting the hours down until I would be forced to get something done. My H3 journey continued on for 3 more months as I participated in the H3@Home Coaching program. My coach Amy was there every step of the way ensuring my success continued. Since being home I have been able to lose 15 more pounds. I joined a great gym and work out regularly. I walked in my first 5K, have done lots of biking and swimming too. This fall I spent hiking in the beautiful Kentucky Red River Gorge area.

What a difference a year can make. We just got home from a week in Cancun, Mexico. This was our family vacation that had been on hold for years, waiting for me to lose weight and get in shape. There are no words to describe how great I felt doing everything my family wanted to without any restrictions; no sitting on the sidelines watching anymore. I went bicycling, swimming, visited the ancient Mayan ruins, even went snorkeling and it was all amazing!

Without my time at H3 none of this would have been possible, I am sure of that. If you are looking for an answer, look no further. Go to H3 and Get Inspired; it’s never too late to change your life.

-Darlene Beilfuss; Fisherville, KY

Sharing Success: Debbie Winter

Please comment on how H3@Home Coaching has benefitted you in any of the following areas: appearance, motivation, energy, exercise habits, eating habits, sleep, self-esteem or stress.

I feel better than I have in years. After years of feeling intimidated by gyms and health clubs, and embarrassed at exercise classes – my stay at H3 gave me the foundation to have a little confidence- especially the “intro to the
weight machines” by Adam and my one personal training session with Jeff.

If I had not had that face to face session with Jeff I think I would not have been comfortable starting with such a
Young coach – but he instantly put me at ease in our initial phone session, and I soon realized he was a true
professional wiser than his years – and I never thought about his young age again.

I truly look forward to exercising now and try to find the positive in any bad situation – following Jeff’s examples.
I am still working on my self-esteem and eating habits but know that I look better than I did a decade ago. I realize
the importance of getting enough sleep now – and now listen to my body when it’s time to give up and go to bed.
Life does get in the way sometimes – especially when I am blindsided, but my coach reminds me that each day is
a new day – and always reminds me to look for the positives.

Stress is always around the corner and I am still learning to deal with it in the best way for me.

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

For many years I wanted to swim in a particular marathon and this summer I finally signed up for an ocean swim marathon – and although I didn’t complete it – I know that if I weren’t struggling with unexpected health issues at
the time of the marathon I would have been able to finish as I did in practice swims. Looking at the positive of it –
I didn’t pull out before the race – and I showed up in my bathing suit and did not cover up with jeans and a long shirt
as usual.

I do look forward to setting new goals and have signed up for a 5K next month.

How has wellness coaching impacted your behaviors/lifestyle at home?

Wellness coaching reminds me that I deserve to do something for myself each day whether it is exercising, meditating or nothing at all. I understand that I can accomplish more if I set myself a goal and follow the steps to achieve it.

I am no longer a door-mat. I have found a way to crawl out of my deep-dark hole that I buried myself in for years.
I am actively seeking professional help for co-dependency and although I am still very scared of the future, I plan
on getting my life in order and to say “no more” to the chaos it had become.

I also learned that I do not have to wear a fake “happy mask” and pretend to be happy all the time to everyone, and
I can share my true feelings for they are mine to share.

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