LOST 43 POUNDS IN EIGHT WEEKS!
I have always been a bigger guy all my life. I never decided to do anything about it until a family member called me and asked if I wanted to try the weight loss challenge. I figured I would give it shot. After the initial measurements and weighing in every week, I started to see pounds and inches disappear. When all was said and done after the eight weeks of exercising, eating right, and meeting with the personal trainer on a weekly basis, I have dropped 43 lbs and quite a few inches. I feel great, and I have a lot more energy. Mercy makes it an enjoyable experience and the personal trainer, Jessica Niehaus, was fantastic.
- James D., Mercy HealthPlex Western Hills Member
LEARNING TO EAT AND EXERCISE THE RIGHT WAY
We all know how to lose weight – eat right and exercise. That's simple, common knowledge. What isn't common knowledge is how to do both of those things correctly. That's what Mercy Health Plex did for me.
The personal attention and directed diet and exercise plan was specific for me and my hectic lifestyle, as well as educational for the rest of my life. It's not a quick fix, it's a complete lifestyle change that Mercy helped me achieve. From the registered dietician, to the specialized training, to the instant feedback from the latest technology, the knowledgeable trainers and even the smiling, welcoming faces from the staff, the people at Mercy Health Plex provided me everything needed to achieve a successful long-term change.
Sometimes it was as easy as an encouraging word or e-mail from a caring staff member or the urging from a personal trainer, whatever it was, it helped me succeed and become more healthy in my everyday life and make the right decisions at the grocery store, dinner table and in the gym.
I knew I was on the right track when my pants fell off while I was walking. I also feel better in my clothes and don't get worn out as easily. The endurance is even more rewarding than the weight loss. In all, I just feel better.
You know what to do, but let Mercy Health Plex show you how to do it.
- C. Trent R., Mercy HealthPlex Western Hills Member
TAKING CONTROL AND LIVING A MORE ACTIVE LIFE
As a breast cancer survivor, I knew the importance of eating right and exercising. There are studies that support this. My oncologist talked to me about losing weight and exercising. It was in my head but not in my heart. I was so out of shape, I didn’t want to take the first step. Then a friend asked me if I wanted to join her Change Your Life Challenge team, a Mercy HealthPlex weight loss program. I was intrigued by the “team” approach. I liked that I would have to be accountable to my teammates. I liked that I would weigh-in with my trainer. Still, I’ve tried many other “diets” and exercise programs. Would this work?
I began this journey on January 2. I told myself this was NOT a New Year’s Resolution. It was a Lifestyle Change. Our trainer, Lyndsey, was good at giving us fun and challenging exercises and modifying them for each person. We met with a Nutritionist who helped us with our food choices and portion control. In the last four months, I’ve lost 35 pounds and still want to lose more. I would recommend the Mercy HealthPlex’s Change Your Life Challenge to anyone. Our trainer helped keep us motivated. My team did not win, but I feel better about taking control of my health and living a more active life for my family. That was much better than any prize.
-Karen C., Mercy HealthPlex Anderson
MAKING A COMMITMENT TO HEALTH
Last December, I took a good long look at myself and my lifestyle which consisted of working many long hour days, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol and little, if any, exercise. I finally decided it was time to make a commitment to health - mind, body and soul.
I joined the Results in 3 program at the Mercy Health Plex Anderson as soon as the program became available. What a life changing decision this has turned out to be! I participated in strength training exercises twice a week with my personal trainer and met with a nutritionist to gain education on healthy eating habits.
It was quite a challenge in the beginning, but this journey actually turned into a lifestyle change for me. I work out every morning on my home treadmill, visit the HealthPlex for continued strength training and eat healthy meals. I have lost 29 lbs (so far).
-Randy S., Regional Coding & Compliance Manager , Mercy Anderson
“I lost 19 pounds and 19 inches in the Change Your Life Challenge.”
-Marion H. Mercy HealthPlex Fairfield
“I lost 19 pounds and 24inches.”
-Joyce M., Mercy HealthPlex Fairfield
MORE ENERGY AND NO PAIN!
As healthcare workers, we tend to take care of everyone but ourselves. This year has been a blessing for me and my family. I joined the Fairfield HealthPlex in mid-January and started a weight loss program, Results in 3. Since the start of this year, I have lost more than 26 inches and 20+ pounds. I have more energy and no pain!
During a snow storm this winter, I took a walk and hit a patch of ice and fell. I honestly feel that if I had not been going to the HealthPlex, I would have hurt myself. Instead, I got up and felt OK. I am very grateful to Stephanie Wise, my personal trainer for the program. Her continued support and belief in me through this experience has truly given me my life back. I have made changes that I can live with forever, not just until the weight is gone. This is different than any other plan I have used in the past.
The Results in 3 program uses a dietician and the SenseWear Armband as well as personal training. The program is expensive, but my husband and I felt it was important enough for me to do this. We came up with the money and are both glad we did. I am healthier and able to do more than ever.
I have been an employee with Mercy for 28 years and truly feel blessed to have this facility and personnel in my life.
God Bless You.
-Becky M., X-ray Technician, Mercy Liberty Falls
GETTING THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED
We had our first family workout session with Jessica Leonard, Personal Trainer, on
Saturday, January 26, 2008. On that first day, none of us (including Jess!) thought that four months and two 8-week
Change Your Life Challenge sessions later our family would lose 149 pounds. We’ve tried many times individually in the past to lose weight without much success. Jack and Nick had started working out with Jess and she suggested we try the
Change Your Life Challenge. We decided that we would do this as a family and concentrate on living a healthier lifestyle instead of a quick loss to a “magic number.”
Even though we’re not all at a healthy weight yet, we’re already seeing the health benefits with lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol. We’re much more active and are beginning to try new activities like kayaking, bicycling, spinning, HydroRider and training to walk a 10K. Jess’ training style fits well with our family – she knows when to push us to work harder, makes us laugh with her many stories and encourages us with her “you can do it” attitude and her contagious energy. We don’t always love her while she’s making us do planks, but we always appreciate her when we’re finished and realize that we made it through another session.
The nutrition sessions included with the Challenge have also helped us tremendously. We now look at nutrition labels before eating and buying. Our kitchen is no longer filled with “quick” processed foods and high sugar snacks but with fruits, vegetables, grains, beans and lean meats. We’re ready to start our 3rd session with Jess – and we hope Jess is ready for the Webers! We are confident that working together as a family will get us to a healthy weight. We really appreciate all the support, help and encouragement we’ve received from everyone at Mercy HealthPlex, especially Jess!
-Donna W., Mercy HealthPlex Western Hills
GETTING BLOOD PRESSURE UNDER CONTROL
When I started this program my blood pressure was out of control. Upon consent from my physician and encouragement from co-workers, I signed up for the Change Your Life Challenge. I lost 15 pounds and, thanks to my new lifestyle, my blood pressure is within normal range.
My success was so huge that I decided to do the Challenge again for another eight weeks. Thank you to Betsy, my personal trainer in the Challenge!
-Denise N., Mercy HealthPlex Western Hills
