| Reaching
for More Makeover Results |
By Erin E. Fogg 
Observer Staff Writer |
| Bette Sullivan's jeans are baggy and she loves the look.
Her energy level has skyrocketed, her confidence is soaring
and she's ready to work to keep both growing. |
| Sullivan has reached the end of a 12-week wellness makeover
she won in the "New You in the New Year" contest the ReCharge
Wellness Center and The Observer sponsored. |
| Sullivan and her 15-year-old son, Brian, have worked with
ReCharge personal trainer Donald Poindexter and registered
dietitian Michele Powers. Sullivan is so thrilled with the
results, she and Brian will continue working with Poindexter.
|
| "I want to see what the next three months will do for me,"
she said. "Even though Donald has given me the tools to use
when I leave here, I still feel like I have so much more to
gain from continuing to work with him." |
| Sullivan won the makeover with a compelling application
essay detailing her frustration with trying every imaginable
diet and exercise program. At 44, her yo-yo weight-loss tactics
weren't producing positive results or setting a good example
for her teenage son, who had been gaining weight due in part
to medication he uses. |
| Over three months, Sullivan has dropped more than 7 points
from her body fat percentage, built up her core body strength
and dramatically improved her stability. Her son's stamina
has increased and he rarely uses his inhaler anymore. |
| Poindexter said he is looking forward to ongoing sessions
with the Sullivans, but he is pleased more about the results
of their wellness education. As Sullivan rattled off what
she has learned about fitness and nutrition, Poindexter smiled
and said, "You really get it." |
| "That tells me my goal was accomplished," he said. "I wanted
them to leave knowing there's a synergy with losing weight
effectively and healthily." |
| The change in their outlook was an important part of the
process. |
| "I was willing to trust Donald and Michele with things that
were so counter to my quick fix mentality," Sullivan said.
"And now the results are there, and the results are long-term." |
| Along with fitness benefits, the Sullivans have made great
strides in food and nutrition choices. Working with Powers,
they have started preparing healthy snacks as well as meals
and have also discovered the importance of shopping for groceries
and cooking together. |
| "I've been really impressed how they've been taking the
recipes and run with it," Powers said. |
| In return for their cooperation, the Sullivans said they
have thrived under the support of Poindexter and Powers. The
ReCharge team has maintained a level of motivation and excitement
they needed to make the dramatic change in their lives. |
| "Lunges aren't fun," Sullivan said with a laugh. "But we
have fun while we're doing them." |
| Brian Sullivan said he has enjoyed the experience and believes
he will continue using all the principles he has learned at
ReCharge, especially in the sports he plays. |
| "I've had fun," he said. "I'm able to do a lot of things
I haven't been able to do before." |
| As the mother-son team prepare for more work, Sullivan said
she is grateful for the opportunity the contest gave them.
"It says so much that people can reach out to others to help
them achieve their goals," she said. "I can't put into words
how much this has meant to me and Brian and our family." |
| |
