ARIZONA Weight Loss Programs

American Fitness, Jan, 2001 by Stephanie Lyncheski

(Editor's Note: For more information regarding AFAA's Supplement Policy, see page 34 of the January/February 2001 issue of American Fitness.)

The Future

Practicing the basics, eating in moderation and maintaining balanced nutrition is what Havens sees for the future. "Encourage people to know that they are not failures," she recommends. "Help them understand the better food choices and don't make them feel ashamed of their eating habits."

Education and encouragement continue to play a large part in a person's achievement of their weight loss goals. "We try to cut through as much of the hype surrounding the popular diets as possible. Our biggest goal is to teach people the truth," says Waelchli.

Many people are still not educated about proper weight loss, however. "I hope they are going to head into fitness centers instead of weight loss centers. I tell everybody that lean body mass is really the key in order to solve the problem. That's the direction I want to see it go," says Kennedy. "There are still a lot of people who want to torture themselves for 2 or 3 hours on the treadmill."

Cook sees weight loss programs headed toward a more holistic approach. "Flexibility is a highly under-utilized program of fitness. There's a lot of benefit in not only strengthening but lengthening. As always, nutrition is not to be confused as a component of fitness, but it is a component of health, which all fall under the umbrella of weight loss, maintenance and gain."

Kennedy offers some advice to trainers. "The first thing I would tell anyone is you've got to keep it simple. That type of training is not something you go on and off; it is something you make a commitment to," he says. "[Clients] come to us sometimes with unrealistic expectations. We have to make sure people have realistic goals. They have to be achievable so they can take those little steps. It's a lifestyle change."

So whether your client is male or female, obese or just slightly overweight, remember that Arizonans are teaching the holistic approach. Diet, nutrition, exercise and attitude are all important in weight loss programs. After all, a person cannot lose weight and strive for wellness using exercise alone!

Stephanie Lyncheski is a freelance writer living in Phoenix, Arizona. She owns and operates Blue Gecko Communications, a full-service communications firm.