Chad H.

is a 31 year old high school teacher and basketball coach.
He has been a member of Harbor Weight Loss Institute since March 2007. During that time, he has lost 55 lbs. More importantly, he has significantly changed his lifestyle not only by changing his eating habits but also by increasing his movement on a day to day basis. In this recent interview,
he gives us some insights as to why this program has
worked for him.

What was your motivation in starting this program?
My health was totally out of control. I am 31 years old and I saw an early date with death. I wasn’t happy in my appearance but I could deal with that. I genuinely was afraid that I wouldn’t live long.

What was your plan?
I didn’t know what to expect. I saw a lot of different diets
and foods and exercise gizmos. I didn’t have any belief or confidence in any of these fads. Instead, I was looking for something I could believe in. The cost scared me. However,
it also helped me to stay committed to what my coaches were encouraging me to do. This has been the best 6 months of my life. The cost no longer has any meaning for me.

What challenges did you face along the way?
I had to change my life. Everything from sleeping habits, daily priorities, relationships and of course my eating habits. I have learned to make my health a priority rather than making my work the most important part of my life. I also have learned
to say NO even though that is hard.

Where were you then and now in terms of your life direction?
When I started I had a lot of great things going – girlfriend, family, job, money but I couldn’t see them or enjoy them.
I was unhappy with me and so nothing else was ever very good. Now the blinders are off. I enjoy life. I am more energetic. I have a greater sense of well being day to day.
I am proud of myself.

Dana D.

“I really don’t worry about gaining the weight back anymore. I look at what I’ve done and what I’m doing and immediately know whether I am losing weight, maintaining weight, or gaining weight. I no longer get upset with myself when I decide to indulge in something high caloried. Previously, I would have criticized myself for eating in an unhealthy way, which would have led to more eating. Now I enjoy it. It satisfies me and then I’m done with it. I am no longer my food choices. My self-worth isn’t dependent on what I eat. Occasionally, there is a small blip of fear about
gaining weight back. But then I remember all that I’ve learned at Harbor Weight Loss Institute and know with certainty that I will never be that overweight person again. I now know that this is an ongoing learning process that will never end. My coaches have assisted me in practicing very solid healthy habits that I can sustain. At no point did I use gimmicks, medications, or lists of forbidden foods. From the very beginning I could eat anything I wanted. For each client in
the Harbor Weight Loss Institute, the program is designed specifically for them. Different people have different needs. Each coach listens carefully in order to help the client come up with the best possible solutions for them. This personalized approach is what has made the difference for me. During my time at Harbor Weight Loss Institute, I’ve learned what food is a replacement for. I no longer eat emotionally. Consequently, my fears about gaining the weight back have virtually disappeared. It is so much easier to manage your weight when you only eat in response to
physical signals."

Wendi K.

Wendi Kuehn has lost 35lbs. through Harbor Weight Loss Institute, would answer this question this way: “I have learned how to eat healthier and consume appropriate portions for my height and weight. I’ve learned to trust my body’s interior signals so that I now eat and drink what my body needs to function at peak level. When I don’t pay attention I notice
it quickly because I do not feel like myself. I’ve also learned how to exercise and to fit it into my busy schedule. I have more energy than before and I sleep better even though I’m the mother of a 21 month old little boy. I found it was a series of little habits that got me into trouble. For example, watching T.V. while I ate meals caused me to eat much more than I needed. I now eat and do nothing but eat and so I am more satisfied with a lot less food. My coaches pulled together
many of these small changes that have resulted in a large weight loss for me. They were the glue that pulled it together. I’m not on a diet. I choose what I want to eat. I continually learn what I need and what I want to satisfy me without gaining weight. I’ve learned how to take time for myself. My husband has helped by watching our son when I exercise. We now work out as a team by doing family activities together like running, playing in the yard with our son, and overall being more active with less T.V. time. I am now able to wear
clothes that fit. I was always hiding behind baggy pants and tops so that I didn’t call attention to myself. I’ve stopped comparing myself to my thin girlfriends. I now enjoy going out with them and having fun together. It has surprised me how easy this has been to do. Changing the small things has made a huge difference. My coaches never asked me to do anything I couldn’t do for my lifetime. I was eased into every change I had to make so that my weight loss would last and
be a life long success!”