Comments
"The MFit weight management program made every part of my life better. I've never felt this good healthwise, spiritually
and emotionally. Losing weight was wonderful, but more important, I'm off medications and my pain is gone. I have more energy, and
my mood is better. I am better able to care for myself and my family. I've made a lasting change in my life, thanks to MFit. " Sandra
"I enjoyed the program. I learned a lot! The program was very motivating. I am so proud of myself. It wasn't difficult. We
watched what we ate, so we did not feel we were dieting. It was great. I would recommend the program and actually have." Judy A.
"This was a wonderful program. It is not solely focused on weight loss - but for overall health. Access to professional
staff is unlimited. They were all wonderful and I obtained a wealth of information. Thanks!" Angela T.
"This has truly been a motivating and educational class. Great instructors and good tools to get us started and keep us on
track. The weeks have flown by - I can't believe it's ended!" Janice A.
"I enjoyed getting in touch with the causes of my less than healthy lifestyle - now I can work on change. Thanks for all
the great resources both academic and personal." Toni T.
“I liked the program very much. I learned that it’s not all about losing weight, but about being more healthy. My body
image has improved, I’m more confident, and I’ve inspired others in my department.” Joe C.
"I absolutely loved this program! The weekly meetings
were very informative and I learned a lot about diet, nutrition
and exercise. And the support offered by the staff was always available
if needed. (staff really encouraged everyone to call and ask questions,
and for support). Thank you!" Pam G.
"This program was terrific and I commend the whole crew. I particularly appreciated the encouragement and friendliness of
the instructors. This program has helped me gain a good understanding of what I need to do to stay healthy!" Patricia W.
"I'm not a talker like most of the others, but this program really worked for me too. The focus on getting healthy and fit and
not focusing on numbers was my motivation. If you remember, I have arthritis in my knee and couldn't do a lot in the way of exercise
because of the pain. Well, I still have pain occasionally, but, NOTHING like what is was. And my Achilles tendonitis is gone! (I was a wreck.)
Participant Stories
MFit’s Healthy Habits for Life Provides Key to Lasting Behavior Change:
CNN cameras chronicle one woman’s successful journey to weight
loss and improved health.
Related News Articles
2005, The Ann Arbor News. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
Losing weight takes a lifestyle change
Mental component is part of programs
By MARIANNE RZEPKA
News Staff Reporter
Publication (Run) Date 12/15/2004
Everyone knows that to lose weight, you have to eat less and get more exercise. As hard as that is, you might have to do more. You might
have to change your entire lifestyle.
"It's hard, it's really hard," says Joe Coloff, 35, who earlier this year went through a new weight program at MFit Health
Promotion Division, part of the University of Michigan Health System. "You have to think it's a lifestyle change. You have to adjust
your thinking."
Toni Trudell, who went through a similar program, knows what that's like.
Earlier this year, she went on a cruise and turned her back on the chocolate buffet, which featured a melting chocolate fountain.
At her office's Thanksgiving potluck, she stayed out of the room with the desserts and had a big salad and just a little turkey and mashed
potatoes - no gravy.
The program helped her lose weight, eat healthier and become more active than she used to be. Instead of sitting behind her computer all
day at MCare, the U-M health care plan where she works, Trudell gets up every hour and walks around.
"You've got to say to yourself, 'I'm in charge of this, and I'm going to make some good choices,'" Trudell says, "and if
I decide to indulge and have a sliver of pumpkin pie, then I have to have a tradeoff to do that or I'm going to perpetuate the pattern I
have and I'll never get out of it.'"
The mental component is part of local weight-loss programs that are not looking at setting up one-size-fits-all programs in books or
magazines that count calories going in at snacktime or going out during exercise. That's a formula for failure, says Dennis Gordon,
coordinator for outpatient nutritional services at St. Joseph Mercy Health System. "Too often people set themselves up for an
impossible mission, then fail and get frustrated," he says.
At St. Joe's NutriCare classes, participants set up their own programs that incorporate personal goals. "The focus is on what you
want to start doing, rather than what you want to stop doing," says Gordon.
If you want to stop eating chips when you watch TV every evening, decide to put out a fruit and vegetable platter on the table after
dinner, he says. "Chances are if it's out on the table and there are cherries and strawberries, you'll eat more of them,"
says Gordon.
There are no forbidden treats, just advice about not going on eating binges, and classes talk about making things like a healthy pumpkin
pie.
The key is changing eating habits over the long range. "Those changes will lead to long-term weight control," says Jenny Hawn,
nutritionist with St. Joseph Mercy Health System.
As for exercise: "One of the things we try to get people to find is an activity they actually like," Gordon says. "Maybe you
don't love the activity, but you like going to class."
MFit's new Weight Management Program also emphasizes setting up an individualized schedule of food, exercise and analyzing the behavioral
aspects of why you eat, whether it's for comfort, to ease stress or because of social pressure.
There are friends, kids, spouses and other relatives who want you to have that dessert you always have on Christmas or to buy that
fund-raising candy for a school program.
The best suggestion is to talk to these people and explain what you're trying to do, says Holly Scherer, coordinator for the new MFit
program that will be offered to the public early next year. Ask for their help. Maybe they can be exercise buddies.
But realize they might not want to help - and they may even hinder you - for their own reasons.
For example, a husband or wife might think that a slimmer spouse would change everyone's life and not for the better, Scherer says. They
may not even realize what they're doing, she says, so talk to them about it.
You have to realize you're only responsible for yourself. "You can only control so much," says Scherer.
Trudell agrees. "Everyone wants to give you food," she says. "You can always come up with a reason to say, 'I'll eat this
now.'"
Know the issues in your own mind that could trip you up. For example, Scherer says, "the mind comes in and says, 'You can't do it,
and why do you even try?'"
Scherer says start with small steps that fit into your life. Even succeeding in one step - eating more vegetables, walking another
block - can be a small reward to make you feel better about yourself, she says.
As for holiday feasting, be reasonable. "We don't say, 'Go to our Thanksgiving dinner and eat just vegetables and turkey,'"
says Scherer. "We're saying you can have certain foods, but in moderation."
Participants are asked to keep a written log of their exercise, as well as what they eat and when. This helps show patterns in their
eating routines, and it can show what worked - skipping dessert or walking an extra 30 minutes. "It makes them stop and look at their
behavior, says Scherer.
Someone might notice that when she gets home from work she gets a snack. Maybe she just needs to go for a short walk.
Participants get a pedometer that encourages them to walk more. But they don't need to walk a certain number of steps every day.
One person who normally walks 4,000 steps daily might only get that up to 5,000 steps, and that might be just walking around the building
during a break, says Scherer.
After finishing the program, Coloff's lost about 30 pounds and kept it off. "A lot of people complement me on how I seem to be in
much better spirits," he says.
Still, it's a lifelong change. "It's very hard to say no, and sometimes I say yes, but it's OK to say yes," says Coloff. "The
world won't end if you have a piece of cake, but just don't have it every day."
Marianne Rzepka can be reached at (734) 994-6820 or mrzepka@annarbornews.com.
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