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.

Sharing Success: Matthew Brown

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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.

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

Sharing Success: Jennifer Allerton

Jennifer Allerton has been a regular guest at Hilton Head Health for 10 years, soaking up plenty of information about nutrition and fitness and always enjoying her stay. But for all the knowledge she obtained, putting it into practice in her daily life continued to be a struggle.

“Over the years, you develop unconsciously all the behaviors and ways of doing things that make up your lifestyle. And because life is happening, you often don’t have the time or energy to reflect on what that lifestyle is doing to you,” she said.

Upon retirement from a prestigious career which entailed extensive international travel, Jennifer was determined to lose the excess weight she was carrying and get healthy once and for all. Motivated by the activities she wanted to participate in and the clothes she wished to wear, as an investment in her success, she signed up for H3@Home Coaching and began what has truly been a metamorphosis.

Jennifer admits it took some time to establish her new habits. “For the first three months of coaching, it was like, ‘Yeah, I know. But I can’t do that because…’ That’s why I needed to continue—to realize that I can do something about this and this is what I’m going to do about it.”

She continued in the coaching program for another three months, taking it a step at a time and turning the corner toward the life she envisioned.

“You have to change your lifestyle,” she said. “There’s no silver bullet. I had to make a thousand small changes in the way I do things—all those things you do automatically to get you through the day have to be re-examined and modified or changed completely. It is hard work. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

The result? Over the past 15 months, Jennifer has lost 65 pounds and gained a heck of a lot of energy and confidence along the way. Persistence has paid off. The endorphins have kicked in and the compliments keep coming.

“In the beginning, although you may see the changes, other people may not notice. So you don’t get that external feedback of people saying, ‘Wow.’ After about six months, people start to notice. And then the things that you wanted to do but haven’t been able to do all suddenly become possible,” she said.

“There are no shortcuts. You have to do the cooking and the shopping and the exercise…you’ve got to fix it bit-by-bit. And when you do, it’s great! There’s no going back. You just feel so good.

“I’m not sure what my end weight will be. I still have lots of behaviors I can tweak that should lead to further weight loss. I expect I will find the weight I can live at when I have changed all the behaviors I am willing to change. But I am sure it will be at a weight that makes me look great in Armani and lets me play tennis and go cross-country skiing!”

How did H3@Home Coaching impact your success?
“I need some external accountability. The weekly discussions over Skype with Coach Linda made me plan each week in detail—what I would be doing and how I would deal with challenging situations. For me, that’s been the most important part of coaching is to keep that day-to-day, week-to-week focus. I know what to do. It’s the doing that’s the issue, and coaching forces me to think about what I will do in concrete terms.”

What advice would you give to others who are considering home coaching?
“Having worked with an executive coach in the business world, I’m a big fan of coaching, and I do think it works. I highly recommend it, and particularly for people who are here for a relatively short period of time. You can’t learn it all in a week or two weeks. You need ongoing support.”

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Sharing Success: Karen P

Now into the second week of September, I am getting more and more excited. Do you know why? Well not only is the third annual Devin’s Dash coming up, but Karen P will be here for our Yoga Retreat.

The beauty of H3@Home is that we have the opportunity to build a deep relationship with our members, one that is everlasting. What’s interesting is that when they come back to attend our day to day program they’ve experienced revelations, hit goals, found results and already discovered how to set themselves up for future success and sustainability.

Check out the bullet points from none other than Karen P herself and discover how H3@Home coaching impacted her lifestyle for the long run…

H3 Coaching Revelations:
• I truly changed my lifestyle and didn’t just “get on a health kick”
• I can be much more consistent then I thought I could be
• I am impacting those around me by the changes I’ve made
• I can’t turn back now…too many people are invested in my progress
• I feel SO much better physically and mentally
• I fall asleep instantly at night
• I make good choices in restaurants and plan ahead when needed
• I have made new friends outside my previous social circle
• I am less of a “homebody”
• I have newfound confidence

“I have only scratched the surface of what I’m capable of…”

H3@Home Coaching Goals Achieved:
• Started planning meals & cooking on Sundays
• Inventoried & restocked the freezer & pantry
• Changed dessert to 1-2 times per week (instead of daily)
• Developed a regular exercise program
• Got more consistent on sleep
• Ate more protein than before I went to H3
• Started eating 5 times a day instead of 3
• Began to workout even while traveling

H3@Home Coaching Results:
• 18 total inches lost since returning from H3
• 28 total pounds lost since returning from H3
• 40 pounds total lost since leaving for H3
• BMI lowered by 3.1 points
• 15% of body weight lost
• Blood pressure lower and in healthy range
• Three 5k runs completed to date with 13 minutes total time improvement

H3@Home Coaching Setup for Future Success:
• Fitbit purchased & utilized daily for calorie burn & logging calories consumed
• Regular walking & Zumba class schedule implemented
• Active.com membership—new race possibilities
• Plenty of equipment/videos/Wii at home
• New coach set up for accountability

Sharing Success: Chris Martinez

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Since December, I have been working with Chris Martinez through H3@Home and he has been a shining example of the “right” person for coaching. The fact of the matter is that not everyone is right for coaching, but if you’re one of those people who is you’ll absolutely be able to thrive within the relationship.

When I first started with Chris, I have to say he did not have 100% belief in himself. I noticed he was somewhat uncomfortable when it came to the exercise piece of the puzzle. Struggling with lifestyle change in the past, he just seemed quite ambivalent about the initial changes he wanted to make. As we progressed with the coaching, he quickly gained momentum, battled through obstacles and took every failure and turned it into a positive. The one shining example I have from working with Chris is when the number on the scale didn’t move for roughly 4 weeks. Chris was logging, eating right, exercising regularly and the scale continued to stay the same. I knew he had “Shifted Sets” in his wellness journey in that 4^th week when something special happened. He said, “As long as I continue to keep the behaviors it will move, I’m not stuck by any means, I just have to keep going.” You know what happened that next week? Chris lost close to 4 pounds. Incredible, right? A lot of us we would have given up and thrown in the towel. Chris didn’t because he knew all he had to do was get on the treadmill, eat right and believe in what he was doing.

I’ve learned a lot from Chris. Hearing him go from the guy who didn’t think he could run a mile to the guy who has now completed a 10K placing 2^nd in his age group (yes first 10k ever). Chris applied a lot of the strengths he uses at his job to his health and wellness. He’s regularly setting targets for himself now and focusing on the measurable improvements in front of him. I feel like his success has ultimately been a result of his ability to push through the plateau, while not beating himself up along the way. He truly continues to set accomplishments that are out there for him and I have no doubt that he’ll sustain this lifestyle for the rest of his life.

Now, hear it from him…

Many times in my adult life, I’ve found myself hitting rock bottom when it comes to my health and wellbeing. The tragic cycle has been one of gaining and losing weight over and over.  The feelings of shame and guilt always eroded my confidence and pulled me back into the spiral of self-disgust and overwhelming frustration. Each time I fell short, I felt less and less confident that I would ever be able to change my life for the better. I was almost ready to give up when I stumbled across Hilton Head Heath (H3) online. I decided it was worth a shot and booked my stay.

I celebrated my 33rd birthday at H3 on December 3rd. I now think of that day as my “re-birthday.” That is the day that started the journey that I have been on for the past seven months. Along for the ride, has been my coach, mentor and friend, Jeff Ford. I’m not sure exactly what has changed in the past several months that has allowed me to be successful but I know what I learned at H3, along with the support and guidance from Jeff, have been a large part of it. The best way to articulate the transformation I have undergone is to say that H3 and Jeff were the sparks that ignited the fire within me.  Ironically, though I give H3 and Jeff much of the credit, I now realize that the ability for me to be successful was inside me all long. It took someone else pointing out the possibilities for me to see them and begin to act upon them.

Certainly, it has not always been easy. There have been times when the fire within me has diminished and Jeff has had to turn up the heat. The “heat” has come in the form of positive encouragement, helping me to see things in new and different ways, and reminding me of my successes both large and small. And there have been many successes to speak of. In the last 7 months, I’ve lost about 40 pounds, have lost several inches from my waistline, have lowered my blood pressure to a healthy level, and have run 5K and 10K races. As an added bonus, imagine my surprise when I discovered that I placed second in my age group for the 10K!  Most importantly, I’ve regained hope for the future, something I was not sure I would ever know again. In order to get to a place of optimism, I had to learn to stop beating myself up when I didn’t reach goals that I set for myself. If I set a goal and I succeed, I celebrate! If I set a goal and I don’t succeed, I celebrate what I have accomplished towards that goal and set a new one. When I miss a workout due to a late work meeting, I don’t reach for a cookie to console my guilty conscience. Instead, I reschedule the workout and revel in the fact that despite the missed workout, I still managed to have a “healthy-eating day.”

I have learned so much from my time at H3, having Jeff as my coach and going through a personal journey that is much more healthy and complete than any ever before. I’ve learned the importance of getting enough sleep, maintaining a positive attitude and drawing upon my existing skills and abilities in order to be successful. Most importantly, I have learned that inside me is an athlete waiting to be unleashed.  I am capable of so much more than I ever gave myself credit for. I don’t beat myself up anymore for not being perfect. I take pride in my accomplishments and am already looking forward to what new adventure awaits. This fall I plan to run a half marathon with my father. In 2013, I will run the Chicago marathon.

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!

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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!

Sharing Success: Allyson Wolfe

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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.

Sharing Success: Brooke Huntington

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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.

Sharing Success: Lyle Orr

I often ask guests, “What makes this important to you?”  Lyle, unwavering said, “This is for my kids, my wife, not to wear a seatbelt extender on an airplane; this is so I can change my life and then be compassionate towards others.” To narrow down the motivators and the vision is the first step, but would he translate this over? I had no doubt in my mind and here is his story…

Lyle Orr checked into Hilton Head Health in late April and stayed for the entire month. During his program, Lyle was a ball of energy that spurred everyone to push harder and motivated everyone alike in our patented Hilton Head Health Treading Class. His yips and yells could spook even the most fearless, but the fight and motivation he showed during his H3 Journey was rare and infectious. Day in and day out, Lyle would come into every fitness class and lifestyle lecture ready to work, ready to commit to a new way of living. After successfully losing 23 pounds and 8 inches there was no stopping Lyle, he signed up for the H3@Home Coaching.



To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure how he was going to do it. Leading a busy work life, caring for two kids, DJing on the weekends, finding time to spend with his wife Jess -- Oh, and knowing he’d be flying to Fort Lauderdale every week, how was he going to make this work? Well he did and below are only a few of the incredible strategies he came up with dating, all the way back to his first day outside the H3 bubble.

Sharing Success: Lori Holland

Last year I was very depressed about the way I looked and felt. I was around 70 lbs over weight and felt completely hopeless after trying and failing so many diet plans. I was obsessed with tv shows like The Biggest Loser and A&E’s Heavy. When Heavy started filming at Hilton Head Health, I kept saying to myself, Hilton Head’s just a few hours away. In April, I decided I was going to go spend a week there after school got out. So I booked my week in June and began to think that there was hope.

During my week there, I attended every informational class that was offered. I have worked out in gyms and taken various classes, so my primary concern was to get all of the accurate information I could get. This is where I learned about the H3@ Home Coaching program. I looked at that as a protection on my investment so that when I got home, when I had questions or problems, I would have someone to turn to. I was matched up with Amy Kelderhouse and we hit it off immediately.

How has H3@Home Coaching benefitted you?

When I got home, I did in fact have many questions and issues. I had a couple of injuries, sometimes challenges, and all kinds of general questions. Amy was always right there with fabulous solutions to every problem I encountered. With her guidance, I was walking 6 miles every day and planning good meals. I was having a horrible time with plantar fasciitis, which she gave me wonderful stretching exercises for. I remember telling her that during the third month of being at home, that everything hurts because I’m just old and tired. She reminded me of the book and class I had taken at Hilton Head Health called “Younger Next Year”. I had actually downloaded that book onto my iPad while I was in Hilton Head. I got it out and started reading it. Amy had been reminding me that I really needed to get my heart rate up while walking. Due to the plantar fasciitis, I just couldn’t walk any faster. But when reading the book, something clicked. I went out and bought a heart rate monitor and started riding my exercise bike. The first week I worked 20 minutes at the correct heart rate. I added 5 minutes each week until I had worked up to 45 minutes per day 6 days a week. The weight started falling off.

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

I am now down a size in my clothing, have more energy and am feeling better in general. I plan my meals each Sunday for the week in order to eat correctly. My entire life has changed since attending Hilton Head Health and having Amy as my at home trainer. Previous to my visit, I was doing nothing. Now, I’m exercising 6 days a week without fail. Had I not had Amy, I don’t think I would’ve made it. The accountability along with the resources and help she gave me were/are invaluable. I am so incredibly grateful for having this opportunity.

Coaching Corner: Sharing Success – Mindy Buford

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

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

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