Health
Owner Donna Clarke is celebrating Herbal Magic's 12th anniversary in Sudbury.
Good with figures
Fall 2010 |
According to the people at Herbal Magic, 60 percent of Canadians would like to lose 15 pounds or more. As much as we wish there was a special formula for weight loss, veterans of the diet wars know there are no short cuts, no weekend quick fixes or miracle diets.
The average 150-pound person burns about 1,800 calories a day. A person can lose weight by reducing calorie intake or burning up calories through exercise. It is so easy in principle but so difficult in practice. There is so much tempting food out there. And for some, exercise is hard work.
Weight loss takes commitment and motivation. It also takes planning, a bit of time, and it can be frustrating. So, it helps if we get a little support along the way.
Personal health coaching has been found to help people with weight loss and maintenance whether their goal is 10 or 100 pounds. Coaching is key to Herbal Magic weight loss program. “My team of personal health coaches support our clients every step of the way, and are truly excited when clients meet their weight loss goals, says Donna Clarke, the owner of the Sudbury's two Herbal Magic Weight Loss and Nutrition Centres.
She admits she has always had a battle with the scale, and this piqued her interest in Herbal Magic's common sense approach. She purchased a Herbal Magic franchise 12 years ago.
“Sudbury needed something like the Herbal Magic program that is based on (eating) grocery store food, personal coaching and natural products.
“Twelve years, thousands of clients, and thousands of pounds lost...It has been amazing, Nothing is more rewarding than knowing you have had a positive impact on a client's health and wellness.”
After the free consultation session, a coach does a complete medical history of the client and prepares a customized program. Herbal Magic supplements help maintain lean body mass, help control appetite and suppress cravings.
The coach meets with the client three times a week, and provides advice, motivation and help with meal planning, says Clarke.
There is an initial sign-up fee and a monthly fee to cover supplements. Most programs involve a one-year commitment. The program has three phases: weight loss, stabilization and maintenance. There is a new program designed especially for men.
According to the Herbal Magic website, “clients, on average, lose two pounds a week. However, everyone is different and results may vary based on a number of factors, including an individual's personal weight history, body composition, level of physical activity, age and motivation.”
Like all weight-loss programs, it is necessary to follow it faithfully, and to be realistic, says a Herbal Magic client who wants to keep her battles with the bulge a secret. She tried the program after a colleague at work had great success.
“Staff are supportive and encouraging. However, I think many people underestimate how long it can take. I lost over 70 inches and 12 pounds in a year. I had hoped to to lose 25 in three months.”
Clarke says the Herbal Magic program is worth every penny because of the benefits to health and how weight loss can be a boost to one's self confidence.
