It's been over 10 years since the recommendations for Vitamin D came out and since then there have been many conflicting messages. After a long process, the U.S. and Canadian governments wanted clarification. They asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to review current research on Vitamin D and Calcium and on November 30, 2010 the IOM came out with new DRI recommendations for Vitamin D and Calcium based on health outcomes.
To see what you should be getting each day, check out this link to the IOM Recommendations on Vitamin D & Calcium.
Click HERE to read what the American Dietetic Association thinks about the new recommendations.
They were encouraged to join HNT by the success of other participants that they knew and worked with on a daily basis. They wanted to get healthy in order to feel better, keep up with their growing 6 year old twins (without being exhausted) and be a good example to their kids by showing them how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
After joining the program, it wasn't long before Alex and Stephanie were being motivated in their own journeys by successes in weight loss and health. They liked the fact that hunger was not an issue despite the much lower calorie meal plan that they were following. Eating the meal replacements and fruits and vegetables made them feel great and satisfied. In addition to the meal plan, they enjoyed attending class and sharing with others who were struggling with the same situations as they were. "Its much easier to related to someone else who struggled at that family pitch-in picnic and hear their solutions that worked, " said Stephanie.
Now that they have met their goal weights and are beginning to maintain, they are eating less meal replacements and more grocery store foods with success-thanks to the weekly meetings. Before, Stephanie remembers keeping calories low, but not knowing what to eat which meant having a few high calorie and not nutritious foods and stopping based on the calories. This, she describes, left her hungry and cranky until eventually she would give up and eat whatever. Now that she has more direction and guidance about what to eat, she is feeling great about the choices she makes.
HNT has impacted them both greatly:
Before HNT- April 2010
Now...November 2010
Nearly 100 pounds lighter between them both!
Way to go keep up the hard work,
The hardest part about maintaining is fighting the urge to binge at events. She just had her step-daughter's wedding reception at Maggiano's where they had family style service-which Shirley states, "is a killer for anyone". Other than those type of events she is usually satisfied sharing a meal with her husband, see the empty dishes, and be satisfied that she ate food she really wanted.
Shirley's advice for you is to "PLAN, PLAN, PLAN...COOK, COOK, COOK!" Both pieces of advice she claims should be done a week in advance. "Always have food made."
On a daily basis Shirley exercises, records all her foods, and thanks God for all the joys that she now has with her younger grandchildren now.
Since reaching her goal weight she has learned that she doesn't really need a lot of things that she ate before. Now, it's okay to be a little hungry and she mentions that she always had a 'swagger' in her walk and hips, but you just couldn't see it!! She is very excited about her health improvement: At nearly 63 years old, her body and organs are about 56-58 years old according to testing and opinions. Her muscles, strength, flexibility, and balance are all improving. She now has pride in her apperance!
Keep it up Shirley! You have been a pleasure to work with and you look Great!
Bonnie's HNT Story
Bonnie was asked by her physician, Dr. Lisa Miller from Northside Family Care in Indianapolis, to write a paragraph regarding Bonnie's experience with HNT. Dr. Miller will be using Bonnie's write-up on her own blog. Here is what she wrote:
"My motivation for starting the HNT program at St. Vincent [Carmel Hospital] was I was tired of the way I looked and taking so many pills. I like the program because you set your own goal. There was never any guilt because you had a misstep; only positive encouragement. I liked the 'coach' and feel here encouragement and positive reinforcement kept me going. After the 20 weeks of 'Foundation' you start 'Practice.' The weekly meetings talking with others in the same boat and making friends that encourage you is definitely a positive feature. The first 20 weeks you learn how to handle stress, know when you are really hungry, count calories, and a new way of cooking that is healthier. I was never a vegetable eater but have learned how to incorporate them into the meals. The main item is the meal replacements. These can be made into shakes, bread, meals, desserts, and even noodles. You are introduced into 'grocery store food' when you reach your goal. I maintain with a combination of meal replacements and grocery store food. The reason it worked for me was the people involved. There are several coaches and among them you can find the one that works for you."
Rachel Hadley is a dietetic intern who completed her 6 week Engagement Rotation at HNT while in the Purdue Coordinated Program in Dietetics. Below is a recap of some of her learning experiences and interesting moments while working at HNT!
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"Being a dietetic intern I know the importance of health and weight management not only for myself, but also for my future patients. That's why I was very excited to have been placed at Health and Nutrition Technology (HNT) site for my Engagement Rotation. Let's face it, before this rotation at HNT I did not have a whole lot of experience with weight management, let alone behavior modification. Earlier in the year while doing my clinical rotation in a hospital, patients would often tell me they would like to lose some weight. I would say, 'Great!', and then quickly move the conversation on because I did not feel comfortable addressing it at that time. I now feel very excited about opportunities to discuss health and weight loss with individuals that I often bring it up myself. I owe all my knowledge learned to HNT and their wonderful staff.
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The HNT program is really phenomenal when you think about it. The program has all the components that make it so successful: education, meal replacements, and professional and peer accountability. Each part of the program provides an aspect that enables the program and its' clients to be successful.
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While working at HNT I learned many things that will help me professionally, but also in my general life as well. I have listed some of my favorite quotes and experiences below:
1. Foundation Class: Someone asked if water and ice tea were the same thing. Sheila answered, "If you take a white shirt and wash it in water what color would it be? If you take a white shirt and wash it in ice tea or diet coke what color would it be? They are not the same thing. Your body needs water." I will forever remember this quote because it made it so clear how important water was. Even though both water and unsweetened ice tea have zero calories, nothing beats the cleaning power of water.
2. Painting the Office Walls: While this does not pertain specifically to dietetics, it is a huge life skill I know I will need at some point. Before this experience I have never really painted a room. As you can imagine I learned a lot, such as to paint in a V. (I was painting straight up and down). I also learned how to properly close the paint can lid when you're done. If you have not come out to the Plainfield office to see it, you should. It looks great!
3. "You're the only person that can change you" is one quote that I have heard Roxanne say many times during class. This one is very important because it puts the decision making responsibility where it should be, on the client. Your Health Educator can tell you everything you need to do, but in the end you are the one who makes the decisions.
4. My favorite quote I heard Christina say is taken right from your notes; "Knowing does not equal doing, but doing equals success!" I love this one because it is so simple but so true!
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As a closing note, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped make this experience as wonderful as it was. HNT is a great program because of everyone, the Health Educators, and especially the patients! A special thanks goes out to the Practice Class I taught on Wednesday. Thank you for helping to guide me; you're all great! Best life wishes to everyone I met and worked with while at HNT. Thanks for a great final rotation. I will miss you all!"
The "What HNT means to me" contest has come to a close. Thank you to all who participated. There were many great statements to choose from which made it a difficult decision for Dr. Schultz and Hannah. Here are the top statements including:
Winner: Paul Larsen, HNT Indiana, Health Educator: Roxanne Standeford. "When I do HNT, I will be able to live the life I choose so that I can experience all that my life was meant to be."
1. Margarita Ferrari, HNT RSP, Health Educator: Tina Graves. "When I do HNT, I will take a journey to a new lifestyle so taht I can travel through life, with one less road block so that I can experience all this world has to offer."
2. Paula Berg, HNT Durango, Health Educator: Carol Mahoney. "When I do HNT, I will succeed because my health is my most important asset so that I can live a healthier, active, and vibrant life."
3. Karen Edwards, HNT Indiana. Health Educator: Sheila Henson. "When I do HNT, I will work at it with all my heart, soul, and mind so that I can break the cycle of obesity and obesity related diseases that are running rampant within my extended family."
4. Betsy Wilkerson, HNT Indiana. Health Educator: Christina Varvel. "When I do HNT, I will keep on doing and learning so that I can be a great role model for my kids."
Again, thanks to those who entered and for the overwhelming response to the contest.
Bruce and Donna's HNT Story
Bruce and Donna heard about HNT through several friends from their church. Not only did they hear about HNT, but they witnessed their friends' successes through the program! Bruce and Donna thought that they too would join in with their success! Twenty weeks later, Bruce and Donna have met their weight loss goals by losing 42 and 36 pounds, respectively. Now, they both are joining the Practice classes as they continue to practice what they have learned in order to maintain their weight loss and new lifestyle.
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Donna has tried a couple weight control programs in the past. However, Donna quotes that "each time I have found success in losing the weight but have regained weight over a period of time. I felt confident with the HNT program that I could lose the weight, but my ultimate goal is to keep the weight off and to establish better eating habits for my future. HNT seemed like a good program with the education it would provide and the [endocrinologist] looking over my progress seemed to be exactly what I was looking for." On the other hand, Bruce "truthfully had not been trying to lose weight" before joining the program. However, he mentions that he had lost weight in 2001 and had gained half of it back. "My weight seemed to creep up a few pounds every year," he comments. Bruce joined HNT as a support for Donna, but knew that he needed to make a change as well. Bruce had been having back pain due to arthritis, and he states that he is "at the age and stage of health that exercising the weight off is not an option like it was when I was younger. I needed a way to be healthy and maintain proper weight when I retire."
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Donna stayed committed to HNT because she "liked the immediate results of the program." She has "found the meal replacements easy to prepare and eat" and help her maintain her weight. Bruce thought it was important that he and Donna were able to support and encourage each other throughout the process. Donna also comments on this fact that "working towards a common goal together has made a big difference for both of us." Bruce found that, "HNT has great people to guide you and their support is a big factor in keeping motivated. The weekly meetings are good to keep me focused on the things that I need to do, and having your own coach (dietitian) is really an invaluable asset. It has been a real education on how to be healthy. You don't get many opportunities to gain a new perspective on yourself like this program gives you. It has forever changed the way I treat my body, and all for the good."
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When Bruce and Donna started the HNT behavior-modification classes, they realized that "there are so many things that you don't know about...but you can get the answers (and timely help) as you need them." Bruce now "pays a great deal of attention to what I eat now and there are so many small things that I didn't think had that much impact on my health: portion sizes, proper numbers of fruits and veggies, proper water consumption, nutrition and calorie balance, and many others." Donna now "knows exactly how many calories I can consume without weight gain. Plus, if I do put on a pound I have the tools, the knowledge, and the meal replacements to take it right back off!"
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20 weeks later and 76 pounds lighter combined, Bruce and Donna physically feel better! Bruce is "much more in tune to what I need to do to keep myself healthy, not to mention that I feel great. People compliment me about looking fit, so it is rewarding in that sense also." Donna does "not have the highs and lows with blood sugar being on the HNT program. I am back to my high school weight, my weight before 4 children; I guess you could say I am back to the real me, finally. Mentally and physically it feels great to be back to me! HNT has helped me maintain one of my lifetime goals!"
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Bruce and Donna have made lifestyle changes that have contributed to their success. Bruce is now always conscious of what he eats and the long-term consequences to his choices. He says, "My success is tied to the choices I make." Donna states, "We are working hard to changing our large family traditional meals, (which are loaded with thousands of calories and way too many sweets), towards healthier menus and placing our focus on the family members instead on the food."
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Bruce encourages those reading this by saying, "If you want to be in control of your health, this program gives you the foundation for a lifestyle change that will put you in the driver's seat. 'Ultimately it is up to you to be successful' is the epiphany of this change in lifestyle, but the tools that you gain from HNT are going to build the foundation and ensure your success is attained." Donna adds by commenting, "You can have success too if you follow the program. Stick with it and you will be amazed at your results. You will get a lot of support from your Educator. Now is the time for change. You can do it!"
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Tomorrow is the last day to vote for the "What HNT means to me contest..." so make sure your vote counts!
We hope everyone is having a great summer!
When approached to share his HNT story for the June Success Story, Mike was excited for the opportunity! He begins by stating that "the program is a life changer." He hopes his story will help others in the journey and that "it is a journey!" So let's take a walk in Mike's shoes on his journey of health and weight management.
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Now that Mike is in his 50's and his boys are in college, he found himself not being able to do the fun things that they were doing due to his weight. "I looked into the mirror and knew that this is not the real me. I needed to get the weight off before both my boys were out of college and I missed valuable time with them." Another reason for losing weight was to feel better and prevent further health risks. He was previously on blood pressure medications and knew that if something didn't change now it would not get easier! He also wants to be around to see his grandchildren down the road and enjoy his retirement, "not just survive retirement!"
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Mike tried to lose weight for 4 years. He had lost weight on a different program in 2003 but had gained it back in 2 years because he "never knew how to keep it off." He had participated in a meal replacement program before, but HNT increased his interest because of the education included with the meal replacements. Mike states, "I have tried Optifast, Nutrisystem, Adkins, South Beach, and Weight Watches over the years, losing weight with all of them but putting it back on again. He includes, "anyone can lose weight with meal replacements...but the key to long-term success is the education component that teaches you why you are overweight, how to lose weight, and most importantly, how to keep it off for life. I have found no other program that provides education and then on-going support and on-going education like HNT."
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Mike joined HNT at the end of September of 2009. 34 weeks later, he has lost a total of 55 pounds! His goal is to lose 60 pounds, so he's only 5 pounds away! Mike has discontinued his use of medication, saving him $160 per month, and he feels 100% better. "I look better, feel better, and my self esteem and attitude is better. My staff at my office has repeatedly said that I look great...and that I seem so much happier and am more fun to be around and to work with."
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Throughout this journey, Mike has learned and implemented many skills and strategies to contribute towards his success. He has learned calories in food, what he needs to eat, and how much to eat to lose or maintain his weight. Mike says, "I learned that it was a pretty simple formula that works well...calories in and calories out." He applies this formula into his daily life, and feels that this is the key to the HNT program; "teaching and supporting [the participants] as [they] integrate weight loss and long-term weight management into daily life." Mike is accountable to what he eats and how much physical activity he does by keeping records. Physical activity has become a daily part of his morning routine. "I have made them just a part of my life now. I have learned that if I don't keep track of what I eat, then I will overeat."
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Mike has greatly enjoyed his classmates and weekly time with them. He says, "dieting is never fun but my class makes it something I look forward to. I am in Practice class now and there are people in my class that have lost 100 pounds plus, and the key is they have kept it off for several years, and they still come to class and still follow the principles taught to us in class." He contributes his success to the support and encouragement from his classmates and Health Educators.
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Mike finishes by encouraging those reading to "just get started and do it! Everyone says, 'I am going to start tomorrow,' yet tomorrow never seems to arrive. Join HNT and they will support you and guide you through the process. The support of HNT and the educators and your fellow classmates that are all going through the same issues with you, make the process much easier. HNT teaches you to integrate weight loss and weight control into your lifestyle, so your life while different is not worse, just different, and the payoff is well worth the effort!"
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"I am happier, healthier, have more money (less prescriptions), and am looking at life from a better perspective. Life is short. I don't want to waste a single day carrying 50 pounds of extra weight!"
Mike Before HNT
(Photos courtesy of Mike, Noblesville, IN)
