For Sonya Steiner, 37, the hardest part about getting on track to living a healthier life was simply showing up for her first appointment with the Ways to Wellness program. “Just getting through the door was the hardest part,” she says. “I was surprised at how manageable the program actually was.”

Sonya, a Registered Nurse and Clinical Manager of HealthEast Vascular Center, decided to give Ways to Wellness a try because it was different from other programs she had looked at. “It had aspects other programs didn’t,” she says. “It was all-encompassing; not just your basic diet.” Sonya was also surprised by how much control she had over the program. “You really make it into what you want,” she says.

With the help of her Wellness Coach, Brenda Navin, Sonya began an exercise program and started a healthier eating plan. Sonya says she was impressed by how knowledgeable and encouraging Brenda was. “She motivated me to learn more, be more active at home, eat better and do a better job overall,” says Sonya. “She was invaluable.”

Little changes make a big difference

Brenda has also helped Sonya incorporate what she learned at her Ways to Wellness sessions into her life at home. For Sonya’s monthly girls' night out, Brenda suggested she bring a healthier appetizer. “She told me to bring shrimp,” Sonya says. Now Sonya brings shrimp to all her girls get togethers.

Most importantly, Sonya enjoys the time she spends with Brenda at the Ways to Wellness center. “The sessions are fun,” she says. “Brenda and I laugh about silly stuff and share stories about work and family. And before I know it, I’m done working out!”

“I think for Sonya, she thought making changes was going to consume her life, but she found it just takes a little tweaking,” says Brenda.  “Sonya has set a great example for her family and co-workers.”

Learn more about Ways to Wellness

Click here for more about the Ways to Wellness program.

My story of success did not begin when I entered the door into Brenda’s office at Ways to Wellness. It was actually the beginning of yet another form of healing that needed to take place on my journey. I had experienced many traumatic experiences in my life that led to more than one form of unhealthy behaviors, one of them being an addiction to food.
           
As many individuals with addictions to food: I had some brighter periods in my life in which I had lost sizable amounts of weight, only to gain them back and more. Four years ago I hit rock bottom. I realized just how unhealthy my life had become in mind, body and spirit. To be truly whole one must be healthy in all three.

A healing journey

I began my healing journey with an emphasis on healing my mind and spirit. I came to a point at which I knew that although this had helped tremendously, my healing journey would not be complete without healing the body as well. Part of this journey was to overcome my addiction to food. I could not have reached this part of my journey without having begun to heal my mind and spirit.
           
I had lost more than 20 pounds when I began my journey with my Wellness Coach Brenda Navin. When I entered her office in August 2007, I weighed 261 pounds and am now down 94 pounds and 7 sizes. The reason I know that my weight loss will be successful this time is because I look at my journey differently than I did in the past.

A new attitude
           
In the past I thought of my weight loss strictly as a diet. If I wanted to eat something I knew I shouldn’t, I would just shrug my shoulders and say, “I can get back on track tomorrow.” This time when I go to reach for food between meals, I stop and ask myself if I am about to eat this because I am hungry or because it will bring comfort for something else happening in my life. If I find the answer is for comfort, I walk away and find something else to do. I also know that my healing journey will be something I must continue the rest of my life. The more I focus on healing, the more joy and peace I find in my life.
           
I know that anyone can come to the place of healing that I have, you just need to seek out people who can support you. Ways to Wellness has been one of places where I found someone who is willing to support me on my journey of healing.

Thank you Brenda and all the staff members of Ways to Wellness!

Learn more about Ways to Wellness

Click here for more about the Ways to Wellness program.

“It is not always easy, but I find I have twice the energy I did before starting this program,” says Mary Aschenbrener, Nursing Administration Project Coordinator at Woodwinds (on the right in the photo).

Aschenbrener, who touts that she's found the program to be the way to wellness, is just one of many success stories.

Changes for a lifetime

Like many people who want to lose weight, Aschenbrener had to be ready to make lifestyle changes. And like a lot of people, she had excuses for not exercising, eating right or choosing a healthier lifestyle. "I work full time, attend school full time, and I am a wife and mother," she shares. "I was certain I didn’t have the time, and convinced myself I was simply too busy or too tired to make significant lifestyle changes.”

Yet despite these obstacles, Aschenbrener has successfully incorporated meal planning, regular exercise and a new attitude into her life. Four months after participating in the Ways to Wellness program, she has lost 20 pounds and dropped two clothing sizes. She is intentional when it comes to exercising, meal planning and eating.  

Support - and humor - from a wellness coach

Aschenbrener has put a lot of hard work into achieving her goals, but attributes some of her success to her coach, Brenda Navin, RD, LD, Ways to Wellness Leader (on the left in the photo above). “Brenda provided the education, weekly support, exercise guidelines and a great deal of humor," she says. "Getting healthy is serious business, but we laugh a lot.”

For example, Aschenbrener was very excited to get started. She experimented on her own with a new piece of equipment at the gym. She did 100 repetitions on a machine, which was a big mistake. Aschenbrener was sore for days, and could hardly tie her own shoes. “We laughed, and Brenda reminded me to start out easy, but be consistent. She even offered to tie my shoes!” says Aschenbrener. Together they created reasonable and attainable goals.

“It was daunting to think about the total amount I want to lose, but with the small successes, I find I am progressing right on target. I exercise a minimum of four times a week and vary workout routines. I prepare all of my meals ahead of time and incorporate balanced eating and nutrition,” says Aschenbrener.

Learn more about Ways to Wellness

Click here for more about the Ways to Wellness program.

For Sonya Steiner, 37, the hardest part about getting on track to living a healthier life was simply showing up for her first appointment with the Ways to Wellness program. “Just getting through the door was the hardest part,” she says. “I was surprised at how manageable the program actually was.”

Sonya, a Registered Nurse and Clinical Manager of HealthEast Vascular Center, decided to give Ways to Wellness a try because it was different from other programs she had looked at. “It had aspects other programs didn’t,” she says. “It was all-encompassing; not just your basic diet.” Sonya was also surprised by how much control she had over the program. “You really make it into what you want,” she says.

With the help of her Wellness Coach, Brenda Navin, Sonya began an exercise program and started a healthier eating plan. Sonya says she was impressed by how knowledgeable and encouraging Brenda was. “She motivated me to learn more, be more active at home, eat better and do a better job overall,” says Sonya. “She was invaluable.”

Little changes make a big difference

Brenda has also helped Sonya incorporate what she learned at her Ways to Wellness sessions into her life at home. For Sonya’s monthly girls' night out, Brenda suggested she bring a healthier appetizer. “She told me to bring shrimp,” Sonya says. Now Sonya brings shrimp to all her girls get togethers.

Most importantly, Sonya enjoys the time she spends with Brenda at the Ways to Wellness center. “The sessions are fun,” she says. “Brenda and I laugh about silly stuff and share stories about work and family. And before I know it, I’m done working out!”

“I think for Sonya, she thought making changes was going to consume her life, but she found it just takes a little tweaking,” says Brenda.  “Sonya has set a great example for her family and co-workers.”

Learn more about Ways to Wellness

Click here for more about the Ways to Wellness program.

“It is not always easy, but I find I have twice the energy I did before starting this program,” says Mary Aschenbrener, Nursing Administration Project Coordinator at Woodwinds (on the right in the photo).

Aschenbrener, who touts that she's found the program to be the way to wellness, is just one of many success stories.

Changes for a lifetime

Like many people who want to lose weight, Aschenbrener had to be ready to make lifestyle changes. And like a lot of people, she had excuses for not exercising, eating right or choosing a healthier lifestyle. "I work full time, attend school full time, and I am a wife and mother," she shares. "I was certain I didn’t have the time, and convinced myself I was simply too busy or too tired to make significant lifestyle changes.”

Yet despite these obstacles, Aschenbrener has successfully incorporated meal planning, regular exercise and a new attitude into her life. Four months after participating in the Ways to Wellness program, she has lost 20 pounds and dropped two clothing sizes. She is intentional when it comes to exercising, meal planning and eating.  

Support - and humor - from a wellness coach

Aschenbrener has put a lot of hard work into achieving her goals, but attributes some of her success to her coach, Brenda Navin, RD, LD, Ways to Wellness Leader (on the left in the photo above). “Brenda provided the education, weekly support, exercise guidelines and a great deal of humor," she says. "Getting healthy is serious business, but we laugh a lot.”

For example, Aschenbrener was very excited to get started. She experimented on her own with a new piece of equipment at the gym. She did 100 repetitions on a machine, which was a big mistake. Aschenbrener was sore for days, and could hardly tie her own shoes. “We laughed, and Brenda reminded me to start out easy, but be consistent. She even offered to tie my shoes!” says Aschenbrener. Together they created reasonable and attainable goals.

“It was daunting to think about the total amount I want to lose, but with the small successes, I find I am progressing right on target. I exercise a minimum of four times a week and vary workout routines. I prepare all of my meals ahead of time and incorporate balanced eating and nutrition,” says Aschenbrener.

Learn more about Ways to Wellness

Click here for more about the Ways to Wellness program.

For Pat Lewsader, Ways to Wellness is more than just another diet.

“I’ve been on many different programs, I’ve tried everything out there,” says Pat Lewsader, 55, a client of the Ways to Wellness program. “I wasn’t looking for another diet, I wanted more than that.”

Lewsader, a payroll clerk for the United States Postal Service, gained 20 pounds after she quit smoking for good in January 2007. After attempting to quit many times before, and having struggled with weight-loss programs like Jenny Craig, NutriSystem and Weight Watchers, she knew she needed to find something different.

Lewsader began the Ways to Wellness program in April 2007, and by August she had lost the original 20 pounds, plus an additional 15. “I’m surprised that it has worked out this well,” she says. “Not that I ever doubted the program, but I doubted myself because I have failed many times before.”

A program that’s different

According to Lewsader, one thing that sets Ways to Wellness apart from many other weight-loss programs is the one-on-one counseling she receives from her Wellness Coach, Brenda Navin, RD, LD. “Brenda is very professional and supportive,” she says. “It makes a big difference having someone there who wants the best for me.”

“When Pat started the Ways to Wellness program, she lacked confidence in herself and her abilities,” says Brenda “but as her journey continued, her confidence increased. It was fun to see her smile and grow to be more comfortable with herself.”

While on her Ways to Wellness journey, Lewsader also discovered how much she enjoys physical activity. “I walk twice a day, and I actually look forward to it,” she says. “Exercise is now more of a ‘want to’ than a ‘have to,’ which is a big surprise for me.”

“It’s a constant learning process”

Setting reasonable weight-loss goals and maintaining these goals are two important things Lewsader has learned from the Ways to Wellness program. “It’s a constant learning process,” she says. “But I decided to stick around and keep learning.” After completing the 12-week program, Lewsader decided to stay with Ways to Wellness and continues to meet with Navin once a month. In the meantime, “I’m just feeling better about myself overall,” she says.

Whether you want to loose weight, get fit, improve your health or simply live a more balanced life, the key is to nourish both your body and soul. Woodwinds offers the Ways to Wellness program to assist you in your body and life makeover. The wellness coaches are registered dietitians and certified personal trainers who are waiting to help you achieve your goals.

Learn more about Ways to Wellness

Click here for more about the Ways to Wellness program.

Sixty-eight years old and retired, Phyllis couldn’t help but notice that the older she got, the tighter her pants fit. Blaming her weight gain on a slowing metabolism, she decided to begin exercising regularly.

Phyllis joined a local strength training program for women and started exercising multiple times a week. But two years later, she still hadn’t lost any weight. “I was so frustrated that I couldn’t get it off,” she says. “I had to stop blaming my metabolism.”

New food choices and a mental makeover

Phyllis decided to join Ways to Wellness in January 2007 to find out why she wasn’t losing weight. And indeed, she found out that her metabolism wasn’t the problem. “I was blaming my metabolism, but it was actually much higher than I thought,” she says. Phyllis learned that her food choices were the most important factor in keeping her from losing weight.

With the help of her Wellness Coach, Brenda Navin, RD, LD, certified personal trainer, Phyllis learned how to incorporate healthier food choices and meal planning into her lifestyle, in addition to the regular exercise she was already getting. “I’m much more aware now of my food choices,” she says.

Phyllis also learned that it’s better to eat more often in order to keep her metabolism up and running. “That was a real eye-opener, that it’s better to eat on a regular basis than to skip meals,” says Phyllis. “It’s nice to be able to eat and still maintain my weight.”

And Phyllis’ favorite part of the program is that she is still able to eat her favorite foods, in moderation. “I love wine, and I love to go out to lunch and have a glass of wine,” she says. “With Ways to Wellness, I can still enjoy my favorite foods and drinks. It’s really changed my mental attitude about dieting in general.”

Learn more about Ways to Wellness

Click here for more about the Ways to Wellness program.

“I used to be a fast food junkie,” says Tony Kasella, 41, Ways to Wellness client. "I tried to lose weight on my own, but I wasn't successful." So after several unsuccessful weight-loss attempts, he decided to give Ways to Wellness a try.

Kasella says the primary factor that drew him to the Ways to Wellness program was the combined focus on nutrition and fitness as part of a healthy lifestyle. “I liked the fact that this program was about lifestyle changes, not just dieting,” he says. Plus, “I can still eat what’s in my cupboard, I just make better choices.”

A program tailored to his life  

Once he began the program, Kasella was quickly impressed with just how much his Wellness Coach, Sara Bernstein, RD, LD, certified personal trainer, tailored the program to his everyday life. “The knowledge Sara has is just immense, and she makes suggestions specific to my lifestyle,” he says. “This program is successful for me because it’s modified for my work and my life.”

Kasella has also learned that by making better food choices he can eat less and still feel full. “I used to be a big eater in the past, but now I eat the right foods and can eat less,” he says. “And I couldn’t have done it without Sara’s help.”

Kasella has lost over 35 pounds since he started Ways to Wellness in May 2007. On top of that, he says he’s in a better mood, has more energy and feels great!

Tony Kasella before Ways to Wellness

Tony Kasella after Ways to Wellness

Learn more about Ways to Wellness

Click here for more about the Ways to Wellness program.

Before he found Ways to Wellness, Joe, 38, had been struggling with his weight for over 15 years. Each year he’d lose weight just to gain it all back a few months later. In March 2007, Joe joined the Ways to Wellness program in an attempt to put away the pounds for good.

Joe wasn’t interested in group programs and wanted more than just a personal trainer. He says he chose Ways to Wellness because it “focuses on both nutrition and fitness and is customized to meet my specific needs.”

For Joe, the most beneficial part of the Ways to Wellness program is that he is accountable to his Wellness Coach, Brenda Navin, RD, LD, certified personal trainer, on an on-going basis. “Having that accountability to someone else makes this program really different,” he says.

“Brenda is very good about not forcing anything on me, but is helpful in getting me to stick to my goals,” says Joe. But ultimately, Joe says it’s his decision on how successful he wants to be. “I get to make my own goals, and I choose to stick to them.” 

Joe says that when he first started the program, he “had no energy, wasn’t sleeping well and was more irritable.” “Now, I just feel great from the minute I wake up,” he says.

And on top of losing weight and being able to keep it off, Joe is more physically fit and has healthier eating habits. “I have lost weight so many times, and this is the first time it has stuck,” he says. “It finally feels like a permanent change.”

Learn more about Ways to Wellness

Click here for more about the Ways to Wellness program.