October 2007 - What do you like best about Inova WeightNET?
That it's tailor made for me and is always adjustable. Also that it looks at all behavior not just what food or how many calories [are] going in my mouth.
My coach is very patient with me. She is always so encouraging and is willing to go the extra mile to give me helpful hints. I have not made a lot of progress, but it is not because she has not been there to try to help me. In fact, it is because of her steadfast encouragement that I still have the will to go on with the WeightNET lifestyle changes.
Supportive by non-intrusive environment
Someone to help me keep me on track, remind me what I should be doing, but don't push and nag me. I know what I need to do, just is harder to put into practice sometimes.
October 2007 - How has Inova WeightNET affected your life?
I have tried everything from diet doctors, diet pills and this was my last stop. I feel more confident then ever that this will work for me. My Coach is committed to helping me to succeed and I need that type of motivation. It is hard to do this on your own but when you feel like you have a friend out there wanting the best for you and your health it gives you the encouragement you need to go on. It is not an easy road for me I go up and down but the coach keeps cheering me on and I know I will do this for the rest of my life.
The most dramatic effect of participating in Inova WeightNET has nothing to do with my weight. While I disregarded the idea of a 'water' goal, my coach pushed me and I went ahead with it. I have suffered minor and persistent headaches my entire life, but within a few weeks of drinking water regularly, I had NONE. It was probably the most dramatic change in quality of life I have ever experienced.
As a registered nurse, I have a fair amount of knowledge about weight, healthful eating and exercise. I did, however, appreciate the very professional and supportive WeightNET Coaches and information as I embarked upon my journey of a more consistent exercise program and subsequent weight loss of 15 pounds. I am back to a very healthful BMI and have a plan for maintaining it.
I have lost some weight but I am more conscious about what I am eating and doing.
It has helped me to pursue and achieve my goals. The continual encouragement from my coach is very helpful.
June 2006 - Testimony from an Inova WeightNET member
I've been working at Inova Fairfax for nearly 4 years, doing the night shift. We all know how hard it is to adjust our bodies to the night shift. We manage to stay awake at night and sleep during the day, but we sometimes have difficulties knowing when to eat and what to eat. And I have a very slow metabolism.
I love working nights, but I realized soon enough that I was putting on weight slowly but gradually. When I first started working nights, I was already struggling with my weight, at 206 lb, but at least I was able to exercise once in a while and keep the weight more or less steady. After starting nights, I became less active, wanting to catch more sleep during the day but ending up with poor quality sleep. You can imagine the results after 4 years: more stress, less energy, excessive weight gain, a rise in blood pressure, although it was still within normal limits, less sleep, more snoring, eating more trying to regain energy, and gaining even more weight!
I saw these changes in me but gave all sorts of excuses not to exercise, or make any changes in my lifestyle: I'm too tired, I need to get more sleep, nobody understands...till the day I was on InovaNET and WeightNET caught my eye. At that point, I was over 252 lb! At first, I did not believe that just talking to a coach would change anything. I started dieting on my own, lost about 8 pounds, but since I was practically starving myself, I quickly gained 4 pounds! I was desperate, at 248 lb, and wanted more than anything to lose weight.
So I registered at WeightNET, did my first assessment on March 28, 2006, I weighed 248.2 lb at the time. My Coach was there for me every week, counseling, helping me to determine what reasonable goals I wanted to attain. And when I thought I was failing and was about to give up after 3 or 4 weeks, she was there and the phone consult we had helped me get back on track.
But before I could do that, I had to start with one thing: Honesty. I had to be honest with myself more than with anyone else, for me to "see" what I was eating or doing, and then determine to make the necessary changes. With my Coach, I chose 3 goals: behavior plan, eating plan, and thinking plan. I successfully made changes on how I eat, what I eat, when I eat. I started setting those goals for 5 days a week, now I apply those goals every day, and it helped me even in goals that I hadn't set yet: I exercise at least 3 times a week, I drink more water.
Today I stand at 229 lb! And I'm enjoying life, I'm less stressed, my BP is lower, I sleep more, snore less (my husband told me so), I have so much more energy, and I'm still eating, but making better and healthier choices, and I'm still losing the weight. I lost 19 lb and my family, friends and co-workers are noticing the change. I just rewarded myself lately with a beautiful skirt that every one loved !
For anyone who wants to lose weight and make lifestyle changes but doesn't know how to start, don't hesitate, contact WeightNET.
For another testimonial, read the page 2 of the December 2005 WeightNET newsletter.