Siblings "LOSE Well" Together by John Lippett

[caption id="attachment_12968" align="aligncenter" width="375"] (l to r) H3 Fitness Coach Chris, Dorin, H3 Fitness Coach David, H3 Fitness Coach John, Maor[/caption]

 

We've seen so many success stories in just this past year at Hilton Head Health, but none stand out more than the brother and sister combo of Maor and Dorin Elias. Dorin and Maor came to H3 looking for education, direction and a kick start to weight loss. After 4 weeks in the LOSE Well program both siblings left feeling motivated, educated and excited to continue their journeys at home. They shared in their personal successes while learning about new fitness and nutrition options they enjoyed.

Dorin and Maor strengthened their swimming skills, more than doubled the number of push ups they could do and can now hold a plank twice as long as when they first arrived. Not to mention their improvement in their pool volleyball skills. They lost a combined total of  29 inches, 39 pounds, and greatly improved their blood lipid profiles in just 4 weeks!

All of those accomplishments don't compare with Maor and Dorin's overall improvement in quality of life, boost in confidence and new found excitement towards health and exercise.

We wish them both good luck at home with continuing their personal journeys towards greater health!

 

A Letter to Re-Inspire Your Resolutions

Dearest Alumni, Future Guests and Hilton Head Health Followers,

I have decided to write each and every one of you a personal letter—via H3’s blog.  Not too long ago, I received a photo from a very successful alumnus.  The photo contained bags of clothing she can no longer fit into because they are too baggy. She called it a “moment.”  To this day, she continues to share her moments with me; they are heartfelt and motivating.  Another “moment” was the day she sat in an airplane and was able to fasten her seat belt for the first time in over ten years.  I have a picture of that as well.  Can you imagine the overwhelming joy?  About 5 months after this experience I received another snap shot of her at a New Year’s Eve party…looking confident and beautiful in a stunning black dress.  Her journey is so inspiring and I hope all of you get to hear it someday.



This year, I want to encourage you to savor and appreciate your moments.  Some of you may be seeking these victories and feel like you are at ground zero.  Some of you may be down 10 lbs. since the start of 2015.  Some of you have just returned home from our facility and are experiencing the H3 High.  Soon enough it is going to be mid-March and the New Year’s rush of getting to the gym may have slid and the motivation to continue meal preparation can become a battle.  I want you all to keep after it like the alumnus I shared above.  No excuses and always learning.  She always believed in herself and never let a meal of cheese, wine and bread get in the way of her progress.  She has developed a wonderful relationship with food and she doesn’t let 12 hour workdays get in the way of her fitness.  Get this: she continues to make new goals and set out for something “bigger.”

Take pictures, write in a journal, cook your own food with healthy ingredients, find fitness routines you enjoy, purchase new clothes, buy new shoes, share your success, tell yourself you have what it takes, believe in yourself.

 

My absolutely best,

Lindsay

 

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.”

Non-Traditional Strength Training

We have had some tremendous success in the world of weight loss here at Hilton Head Health and one of the many tools used in these accomplishments is non-traditional strength training equipment like what you see in the video below.  Because of the dynamic nature of this equipment the possibilities are virtually endless as far as fun, fast, and effective workout routines go.  Shannon McCain, one of the many LOSE Well weight loss program legends featured above, lost over 30 pounds and more than 15 inches off her body, while also increasing her strength endurance by 111% and her VO₂max (her body’s ability to consume oxygen) by almost 40%! Amazing results!

Plan a visit to Hilton Head Health and experience, not only the success we pride ourselves on, but the many ways we make it happen.

Guest Testimonial: Linda & Vince Ferrigno

By Linda Ferrigno
When we go on vacation, we come back needing a vacation. Not at Hilton Head Health. We come back feeling MARVELOUS! We love it so much; we brought our three adult daughters with us last time. It was the best vacation ever.

My sweet husband is Italian and he is so much FUN. We celebrate every holiday, vacation, and social occasion with food. Dinners with friends and family were three or more hours of eating, drinking, and laughing. We tried diets and joined health clubs but the waistlines kept expanding. Everything we tried was just a temporary fix. We were going out smiling, but if we didn't change our ways, we were going out soon.

Hilton Head Health changed our lives. We have smaller waistlines, lower cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, blood pressure, BMI, and body fat percentages. The change is so much deeper than all of these wonderful numbers. Through the classes we learned about the science and psychology of staying fit. We are preparing delicious, healthy food at home and no one would ever label any of it “diet food”.

The active life is becoming our life. I ran my first race in over 20 years at H3 and since coming home have done more. I walked a million steps in less than 90 days with an amazing tracking device they helped me discover. My husband has a bad knee. He learned things he COULD do, like water classes, fit ball, and an amazing NuStep machine in their gym. For the first time in our lives, we are part of our own team. It isn't “us against them” like it was most of our lives.

The staff is so nice! They know your name. They care and it shows. No matter what stands in your way, they are there to help you find a way over, under, around, and through the obstacle. When you ask a question, they really listen. If they don’t know the answer, they tell you the truth and go to find the real answer. No egos, just love and support. H3 is a little piece of heaven. To say we love it would be a huge understatement!

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.”

Fitness Friday: Michael Brams Success Story (Brams the Man)

There have been many people who have walked through the doors of Hilton Head Health and have gone home successful. Today, June 14^th, 2013 marks the day that one of our guests, Michael Brams, has achieved his goal weight. After 7 weeks of H3 dedication in the fall of 2012 combined with 12 weeks of H3 dedication in the Spring/Summer of 2013, (75+ lbs later), Michael Brams says he is “feeling and looking the best I’ve felt since high school”. Michael took full advantage of the program; diligently following the meal plan, taking several fitness classes a day, signing up for personal trainings, cooking lessons, one on one nutrition consults, and learning as much as he possibly could in order to apply these healthy habits for when he goes back home. As a Fitness Specialist here, I am thrilled to show off some of the amazing accomplishments Michael has made during his time here. Please enjoy the video that does just that! =D

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

Best Weight Loss Program! Hilton Head Health Wins Top Honors

Fox News has named Hilton Head Health the top weight loss resort in the U.S. Learn why our weight loss program is number one in the US for men and women.

In a recent article posted on FoxNews.com, Hilton Head Health (H3) was named the number one weight loss resort in the United States. Author Laura Kelly made her selection from a wide variety of the country’s best-known resort and spa properties, recognizing Hilton Head Health as the best of the best – “a far cry from the fat camps image that has been around for decades.”

The article noted H3’s wide range of weight loss programs, including three-day retreats, weeklong stays, and an extended program for guests interested in more intensive weight loss.

“Over the years, we’ve helped thousands of people lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle,” said H3 owner John H. Schmitz. "We are extremely gratified to receive this kind of recognition. Especially since I know how hard our staff works every day to provide our guests with the best possible experience.”

John also commented, “I also want to thank all of our guests who have been with us over the years and provided feedback that's helped make us better.  I am personally committed and confident that our staff is also dedicated to making sure you receive the best of the best at Hilton Head Health.  We hope that you'll join us again soon to experience America's #1 Weight Loss Resort!”

Get H3 Inspired: Sue Ellen Sherer

[caption id="attachment_9783" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Sue Before"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_9785" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Sue After"][/caption]

Struggling with weight issues has been the norm for most of my life, but I always managed to have good numbers where cholesterol and blood pressure were concerned. Then in October 2009, my father-in-law, for whom I was the primary caretaker, fell and fractured his pelvis and was sent to a nursing home for recovery. Because of his advanced dementia, he was denied routine physical therapy and I knew I needed to be his strongest advocate…he wanted to walk, he wanted to recover, even though he was unable to verbalize it. I moved with him into a handicapped accessible room at a hotel and used the weight room and pool facilities to exercise him and give him back his mobility. After five weeks, he was able to return to assisted living but I was totally unaware of the toll it had taken on me, personally, until I was back at my part-time job as a standardized (professional) patient.

One afternoon I had two different third-year medical students practicing their physical exam techniques tell me that I had high blood pressure. Thinking that they had not used the blood pressure cuff correctly, I went to the doctor in charge of the training and asked him to take my blood pressure. It was 168! Before I even left the building I was on the phone to my own primary care physician making an appointment. In addition to the high blood pressure, I had gained about 20-25 pounds during those five weeks. I have always been a stress eater, or eating that which was convenient and my closet always held at least four different sizes of clothing and I would just grab whatever fit at the time.

I knew I had to do something to take care of me at this point and went online in search of somewhere I could go to get my weight down. With my husband’s support and blessing, I made arrangements to spend a week at Hilton Head Health (H3) in January of 2010, with no idea at all how drastically it was going to change my life.

I had never exercised regularly; not really exercised at all since gym class in high school! The first class I went to at H3, I thought I was going to have to be scraped up off the floor! But through the continual encouragement of the staff and other participants, I began to try all kinds of exercise classes and was actually having fun! I laughed along with others as I stumbled through Zumba with two left feet; I sweated alongside newly made acquaintances as we labored hard on the treadmills. I always tell people that it is as much about the mind and spirit as it is about the physical changes that take place. H3 provides an atmosphere that nourishes all three parts: education for the mind, exercise for the body, food for the soul and time enough to reflect on putting it all together.

As a Christian woman wanting to take better care of the temple wherein God's Holy Spirit dwells I wanted to be a more fit testimony of His love and care. By taking care of myself, I am better able to take care of my family, be as healthy as I can possibly be so I can 'run the good race' and enjoy my children, and someday...my grandchildren!

The educational sessions provided such an excellent foundation and impetus to work towards making life-long changes. I was given exercises that could be done anywhere with minimal equipment. Cooking classes showed me some different ways to cook that would be healthier and use less fat. (May I just say that H3 does a fantastic job of making 1,200 calories look and taste like a gourmet feast!)

I lost several pounds while at H3, but more importantly, I came home with a new vision and goal towards my own health. I began to check out different exercise videos from the public library and tried several until I found ones that I liked. Now I have pretty much settled on two groups of videos: one for strength training and the other for cardio exercise. I do them in my own home and keep track on a goals chart. I began to use a free online calorie and fitness program to track my daily eating and exercise, and most importantly, gathered a few close friends to join in my endeavors and we daily encourage one another with comments.

The weight did not come off quickly, but over time I have managed to take off 43 pounds and 23 inches by eating sensibly, exercising six days a week, and gathering a supportive group of friends to encourage one another. I feel better now than when I was much younger and I am still amazed when I shop for clothing that I am buying smaller and smaller sizes. Is that really my size now?!

As a primary caregiver for someone else (my mother, now that my father-in-law has passed away), we can often tend to take care of everyone else's needs and health concerns before we take care of ourselves. By making healthy lifestyle changes and exercising regularly, I have found that the stress and tension that at times weighed so heavily on my shoulders, have been reduced exponentially. When I feel better, I am better able to tend to the needs of the ones under my care. It’s a Win-Win solution.

Thank you H3 for inspiring me to ‘run the good race!’

Sue Ellen Sherer; Rochester, NY

Get H3 Inspired: Stephanie Sifrit

[caption id="attachment_9664" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Stephanie Before"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_9665" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Stephanie After"][/caption]

The Light Bulb

One day, I found myself talking among friends telling them I still had the “baby weight” to lose. My friend asked, “How old is your baby?” I said, “three years.” I look back on that and think “Wow! What a bad excuse!” When my little three-year-old turned ten, I was still in the same condition. I found myself crying, feeling loathsome, and insecure. I desperately needed a push start on healthier living, so I committed one month of my life to Hilton Head Health (H3).

The Decision

Planning to spend one month away from my family took some organization. I made my reservation and had sixty days to prepare. The big problem I faced was in those sixty days I kept second-guessing my decision. I kept thinking, “I can’t do this!” “This is insane!” On and on I went with more excuses as to why I couldn’t take care of myself and had to be a good mom and put everyone else before myself. The major dilemma to those rationalizations is an unhealthy mom is not a good provider, example, or encouragement to her children. Therefore, I carried on with my plan, packed my car, including my bicycle, and headed out to a new goal: a new me!

The Right Environment

I have never been so comfortable in a new environment, among strangers, than when I was at H3. From the moment I got there, (wow, I can still smell the lobby, and it makes me smile) I was engaged in being a better me. The whole environment marinates in success. The H3 routine was rigorous but not too much. I woke up at 6 am every morning to join the group for the beach walk. What a magnificent way to start a day of better living. Next came breakfast and a thermo-walk. How I miss those! Seriously! Everyone gets up from the table and walks down to the “reflector tree.” It’s a parade of your newest and best friends working together to be healthier people. That feeling is at the core of the H3 experience; you are never on this journey by yourself. There is always someone beside you edging you along and keeping you focused on your goal.

The New Beginning

With the help of Hilton Head Health, I managed to lose almost 30 pounds. Although my weight still fluctuates, I know it’s time to get back in H3 mode when I go outside of my comfort range.  H3 teaches you how to make “good, better, [and the] best” of choices out on your own. You learn skills to help you stay focused. You breathe in new life and become a better you. I kid you not; just writing this letter reminds me of the “best” choice I made: going to Hilton Head Health.

Stephanie Sifrit; Bradenton, FL

Get ‘H3 Inspired’: Mimi and Phil Drew

It has been a year since my husband, Phil, and I went to Hilton Head Health (H3) to change our lifestyle (December 2011) – and we’ve been singing H3’s praises ever since! To date, Phil’s lost 50 pounds and I’ve lost 45 — and we are continuing to lose! We are moving through clothing sizes at a rapid rate and it’s great to be going in the right direction!! My cholesterol is down 40 points and I have reduced my Lipitor from 20mg to 10mg daily and may be off it entirely after my annual physical.

Upon arriving to H3, I was afraid we would spend a week there and not learn anything we didn't know (but just weren't doing). That couldn't have been further from the truth. We learned weight loss tools that have helped us in all aspects of life - from dining out to exercise; we’ve been able to incorporate H3’s weight loss rules in our daily routine to achieve lasting success. For example, who knew that weight loss is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise? Who knew that restaurants "steam" their vegetables in BUTTER? Or if you know your metabolic calorie range, you can know exactly how many calories you can consume to still lose weight?

As far as exercise is concerned, we were already in the gym an hour a day but adding an extra half hour and actually sweating has worked wonders!

Since returning home, we’ve enjoyed celebrations, holidays and trips while maintaining our weight loss. For example, last Valentine’s Day, Phil and I had a wonderful dinner that fit within our 350 calorie count; it included grilled shrimp, roasted vegetables, homemade chocolate dipped strawberries (16 cal each) and homemade lemon meringue cookies (23 cal each), PLUS champagne (100 cal). A true feast and we counted everything without feeling like we cheated on our diet or feeling deprived. Many of the recipes I found on Hilton Head Health’s blog, H3Daily.com, and the rest I was able to figure out from the cooking tips learned during our visit.

Sharing Success: Allison

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My story starts a little differently than the average H3@Home participant.  I began the program 6 months before I was able to make the trip from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, to South Carolina to spend a few amazing days at Hilton Head Health.  I knew I needed help – and I did not want to wait until it our schedule allowed me to leave my husband with our three kids to begin my journey toward health.  I had a fire lit under me – and I wanted to take advantage!  In April, I called Jeff Ford and signed up for H3@Home coaching. 

The fact that all of our contact was by phone did not hamper my ability to make a great connection with Allison, my coach, immediately.  I really felt like she understood how difficult the transitions my life, and she stood by me every step of the way.  She listened when I needed to vent and she challenged me when I needed a push.  It was never “boot camp,” because that was NOT what I was after!!  It was compassion, encouragement, and another person to help me decide what to do next.  The process of breaking down the fantasy of being fit – into weekly doable goals lies at the heart of H3@Home – and was a big part of how I have been able to lose almost 50 pounds – so far!!  

Now people are looking to me as a ROLE MODEL!!!  How on earth is that possible???  I was sure that I was one of the people who would never be successful at losing weight – because I was so resistant to the things you NEED to do in order to be a fit person!!  I was able to change all of that with the support of Allison!!

I am such a believer in the concept that nutrition is 80% and exercise is 20% of weight loss.  However, it did not take me very long to realize that while exercise is not even really necessary for losing pounds, it is CRUCIAL in having a healthy mental attitude toward all aspects of life.  Ever since I have unlocked that secret – there has been no going back for me.  My body, but mostly my mind and soul now REQUIRE physical exertion in order to be well.  I feel so lucky that I have found so many activities that allow me to work my body and are so very fun!!  Biking, hiking, skiing – cross country and downhill, tennis . . . and so many more exciting activities that I can’t wait to try.  (Next summer:  canoeing!!) 

Even more important than the workouts, is the new reality in my life: I take the time I need to nurture myself and my body.  My children are watching me!!  I am so relieved that now I am teaching them to seek their hearts desires and to prioritize the time and energy to follow their dreams into every single day!!  I am so excited to see where I end up and what I continue to accomplish.  I now feel like the sky is the limit.

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: Karen McCarty-This Place Rocks

Here's a treat from Karen McCarty! You may have seen Kerrie's testimonial video on the H3 website, but today she'd like to update you on some of the progress she's made since visiting H3 in 2011. Thanks for sharing, Kerrie. We're so proud of you!

Hello!

After my three-week stay at Hilton Head Health (H3) in 2011, I knew I would visit again and this year I returned for the last two weeks in June. I saw so many familiar friends that I met from last year, it turned into a great reunion!

I’m thrilled with the success I’ve experienced from my visits to H3, which has made it easier to stay motivated and on track with my meal and exercise plans. To date, I’ve lost 12% of my weight and my glucose levels remain in the Normal range. By adopting H3 healthy lifestyle changes, I’ve learned to manage my diabetes without taking medication. I’ve seen a significant improvement this year compared to 2011.

But a vacation at H3 is more than a return to health. It’s a return to our childhood! Where else do you find 20 adults on “noodles” in the pool, belting out oldies as we move and groove? Or taking a bike ride, playing golf, or kayaking? And don’t even get me started on Zumba in the Pool or Wii Dance!

The food and cooking classes are fabulous and the new H3 Healthy Kitchen is beautiful, with a large display screen so we can see everything the Chefs are preparing (my favorites are Sautéed Chicken Breasts with Peach-Chili Sauce and Eggplant Caponata).

They are constantly updating the program with new exercise classes and seminars. “Creating a Wellness Vision” and “Mastering Motivation” are two of my new favorites. The staff at H3 are brilliant at what they do, and they give us the tools to take home with us to ensure our success.

All I can say is, This place rocks.

-Kerrie McCarty, Portland, Oregon

If you'd like to pay it forward and share your Hilton Head Health story, please contact Alicea Glover at aglover@hhhealth.com.

Get H3 Inspired: Kerry Seiberlich

There were times when I really didn’t think I could handle life anymore. It was almost normal for me on my way to work to seriously consider how much damage hitting the freeway barrier at 70 mph would do, and whether or not the impact would kill me. A lot of the time, I hoped it would. 

I never got to the point of actually following through on these thoughts (thank goodness), but the fact that they even existed were a serious indicator that I needed a change. It wasn’t until almost a year later that the truth of it hit me – I was extremely unhealthy, extremely unhappy, and so lost that I didn’t even know how to begin to fix it. A close friend of mine recommended that I get the heck out of dodge. “Blow this popsicle stand,” he said. We spent some time brainstorming and eventually the idea of a health retreat came up. We got online, and Health Head Health’s website was professional, informative, and well-designed; it immediately caught my eye. 

From there, it only took about three weeks until I was signed up and headed south for H3’s Extended & Intensive (E/I) program. I was terrified. I didn’t know… well, anything. What to expect, whether I would be able to last the full 14 weeks, or even what kind of a social life I would be able to find.  The fact that I had been pretty overweight since early childhood – I distinctly remember being called “a fat alien” by some meaner classmates the one and only time I ever wore pigtails to school – only made the idea of ever making friends that would understand my situation seem outlandish.

I moved in, met the staff, and gradually started to make friends. I won’t lie - the first few weeks were pretty difficult. My depression and obesity made waking in the morning a really difficult task for me, but by the time I hit my one month ‘anniversary’ at H3, I was springing out of bed in the mornings, actively looking for new things to try, and, for the first time in years, feeling good about who I was and where I was headed. I had finally made a good decision about my health. 

I began to open up about the darker parts of my recent past to Amber, H3 Fitness Specialist, who I had chosen as my coach and fitness trainer, and to Lisette, H3 Director of Behavioral Health, with whom I had bi-weekly personal counseling sessions. I told them about everything: the suicidal thoughts, the depression, the drugs, and the awful relationship I had with my family – particularly my mother.  Being able to talk about these things was so refreshing. I wasn’t lying any more. I didn’t feel guilty or ashamed, and in this liberation I found a new kind of recovery. It wasn’t only my physical being that convalesced, but my state of mind as well.

I journaled. I participated in workshops. I went to the seminars and cooking classes. I discovered and nurtured a love of yoga. I kept track of my weight loss. After a month at H3, my mother was inspired enough by my success to participate in the program with me for several weeks. Background: my mother and I had essentially been strangers living in the same house for almost ten years. Even just the idea of it was so intimidating - four weeks of living with just her and doing all the same things every day. I really was expecting the worst but the program ended up only bringing us closer together. Now, barely six months after I enrolled in the program, we get along and support each other rather than pushing and pulling in opposite directions.  

So, two months in – I was happier, healthier, and healing relationships I wouldn’t have ever expected to be able to fix.  Problems were bound to arise at some point, though. I ended a long-term relationship around this time, and a few weeks after that I injured my foot badly enough that I was completely laid up for a week, and in pain for more than a month afterwards. It was so frustrating. My weight loss plateaued and I began to doubt again – what was I going to do once I got home? Would I even be able to maintain the progress I’d made? This was where the friends I’d made within the E/I program and the H3 staff really kept me going. It was so nice to have a support system of people that truly believed in me and pushed me to do better—even if that sometimes meant actually resting my injury rather than pushing myself out of frustration and ultimately making it worse. 

By the time my 14 weeks were up, I had lost nearly 30 inches from my total measurements and 16% of my starting body weight. I was ready to go home and truly feeling confident about what I could accomplish. About a month after I left H3, I hit the 20% mark. Very recently, I got on the scale and, for the first time in years, saw a “1” at the beginning of the number. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to myself for making the decision and following through, and how grateful I am to H3 for helping me begin my journey.

-Kerry Seiberlich; Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Sharing Success: Brooke Huntington

[caption id="attachment_7506" align="alignright" width="420" caption="Brooke before visiting H3"][/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_7507" align="alignright" width="420" caption="Brooke now"][/caption]

In her own words...

Many people who are successful at adding exercise into their lifestyles do it by teaming up with a friend. They enlist a friend to go to the gym, join a group class, or train for marathon. During my first visit to H3, I began thinking of who could support me in my wellness journey and how teamwork might work for me.

Returning home, I signed up everyone I encountered for my “team.” For the first time in trying to improve my health and lose weight, I shared my goals with everyone I knew, from close friends and family to business acquaintances. People watching to see if I would succeed fueled my competitive nature and ensured I would stay on track. It also set expectations for business lunch meetings and evenings with friends. With a few moments of conversation to express my intentions, I had a team working with me and cheering for me. It certainly kept me honest on more than one occasion.

This tactic also encouraged friends and colleagues to invite me to exercise with them. Prior to H3, I was uncomfortable with group exercise classes. I was concerned that everyone would see that I was out of shape and have two left feet, or that I would cause others to make mistakes. H3 gave me the confidence to say yes when a colleague invited me to join her in a Zumba class. I still have two left feet (it’s genetic!), but I have a great workout, and I laugh through most of the class. It is the workout I look forward to each week. Plus, it added more people to my team.

Suddenly, my team went from encouraging me to praising me. It felt like I had “won” when I returned to H3 six months after my first visit and I was 30 pounds lighter. I was feeling great. I had accomplished something that for years had seemed impossible.

Habits of Successful Weight Managers: A Triggering Event

[caption id="attachment_7189" align="alignright" width="420" caption="My granddaughter, Anna Leigh"][/caption]

A triggering event is an event, situation, or may even be a comment that makes you think about something differently. The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR), a study that I refer to often, has been collecting data for the past 15 years about the habits and characteristics of those who have been successful at losing  a lot of weight (50 – 70 lbs.), and kept it off for a long time (5 – 7 years). They found that a number of the people in their database had what they referred to as a “triggering event”, an event that made them think about their weight in a different way and made managing their weight, or getting healthy more important to them than  it had been before. The triggering event could have been a bad medical report, seeing their reflection in store window or mirror from an angle they hadn’t seen before, being unable to do something because of their weight, seeing a close friend or family member have a serious health problem or anything that made losing and maintaining their weight more important to them than before this event.

One of my favorite examples of this from the NWCR was a young, single father of a 4-year-old daughter. The daughter had some friends over and they were playing and talking and the father over heard one of his daughter’s friends say “your daddy is really nice, but he sure is fat.” While he knew he was overweight, he had never heard anyone say it so bluntly—and he said to himself at that moment, she is right, I am fat, and I am the single father of a 4-year-old daughter. That day he hired a personal trainer, joined weight watchers and now many years later, he is fitter, leaner and much healthier than before. While he always knew he should do something about his weight, it took that comment to motivate him to act.

I had what I consider to be a triggering event on Wednesday January 11, at 12:58 pm. Anna Leigh Fraser came into the world and changed my world forever. Yes, I am now a grandfather (papa) to a healthy baby girl. I am a pretty healthy guy, who has lived a pretty healthy lifestyle, but things are different now.  I am already finding myself thinking, I want to be there when she graduates, gets married and has kids herself ( I literally just shed a tear, I am not making this up). I have been a grandfather for about a week and I am already looking ahead to being a great grandparent. So as important as health has always been to me, it’s much more important now. As much as I try to practice what we preach, I have to be a better practitioner. You might have heard me say one of my favorite quotes, “habits are caught not taught,” now I have someone else to “catch” my habits. My favorite phrase,” unwise, better, best,” has new meaning to me. The point is, the stakes have changed, and they changed the minute is saw her for the first time. I know I will be more conscious of my health because of her.

It is important to point out that not all of the successful weight managers in the NWCR had a triggering event—in fact, most didn’t. Having a triggering event is not a requirement for or a prerequisite for success, nor does it make it any easier to succeed. But it does provide a rallying point; helps focus your attention, put perspective on why it’s important to keep working toward and achieving your health goals. If you have had such an event, use it to keep you focused. If you haven’t had one, don’t wait for it—look for other sources of motivation and inspiration; but be on the lookout, you never know when that potentially life changing triggering event will occur.