Five years ago, health-care professionals and others came together to form a network with the goal of helping people across the nation achieve optimum health.
Take Shape for Life is a grass-roots organization that is dedicated to teaching the life skills to maintain weight loss through healthy habits, support through a health coach and the Medifast 5&1 meal plan.
Dr. Phil Corbin of Lifetime Wellness in Bella Vista is both a chiropractor and health coach. He said that because 85 percent of people who lose weight gain it back, he wanted to find a simple way to avoid that pitfall.
Through a friend, he learned of Take Shape for Life and liked its format, which includes a workbook, DVDs and online support.
“Having a health coach not only helps a person through the weight-loss journey, but it also givesa sense of accountability,” Corbin said.
He said that unlike some weight-loss programs, Take Shape for Life is not about counting calories, but rather about learning how to eat and exercise properly.
Most people on the plan lose 2-5 pounds a week.
While losing weight, participants eat five Medifast meals a day and one home-prepared meal.
“Medifast meals cost about $10 a day, which is what an average person would spend on food, so it’s cost-neutral,” Corbin said.
When a person’s weight-loss goal is reached, Medifast meals are phased out. The length of time that Medifast meals are eaten varies, Corbin said.
“If a person has 100 pounds to lose and loses 20 pounds a month, that means he or she will be on the Medifast 5 & 1 plan for five months,” he said.
“A lot of people continue to use Medifast products because they are convenient.”
The most common concern from clients ishow the food will taste. Corbin said that people will find they like some products more than others, so he recommends starting with a sample pack.
Corbin and motivational speaker David Bush, who lost 100 pounds and has kept it off, will host a Take Shape for Life seminar at the Village Insurance community room Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Village Insurance is at 2838 Bella Vista Way. The seminar is free, but preregistration is required, which can be done online at ehealth1229.eventbrite.com or by calling (479) 876-5500.
The seminar will teach safe and satisfying ways to lose weight; motivation tactics to achieve health goals; simple steps to develop healthy habits; a medically safe way to lose 2-5 pounds a week;
secrets to maintaining a healthy body weight;
why 85 percent of dieters regain lost weight; how many calories are required for optimal health;
healthy eating; exercise plans; energy tips; and how a simple 28-day challenge and action plan can make a huge difference in a person’s life.
Community, Pages 12 on 12/14/2011