| Contest
Winner Boasts a Better Life |
By Erin E. Fogg 
Observer Staff Writer |
| One year ago Bette Sullivan was at the end of her rope.
She had tried everything, from Weight Watchers to Atkins,
cabbage soup and grapefruit diets, failing to find a diet
plan that would stick. |
| She had nothing to lose. |
| After winning a three-month wellness makeover in the "New
You in the New Year" contest, sponsored by The Observer and
ReCharge Wellness Center, Sullivan was optimistic. However,
she was still unsure just how much her personal trainer Donald
Poindexter could do to reverse years of damage caused by erratic
eating and exercise habits. |
| Sullivan likewise did not know how the contest would affect
her family, since she had won the contest as part of a team
with her then 15-year-old son Brian. Now, one year later,
she cannot say enough about what Poindexter has done for her
and her family. |
| In fact, Sullivan still meets with her trainer three days
a week. While her son stopped meeting at ReCharge for workouts
after the contest ended, he has excelled in extracurricular
sports. |
| Poindexter even began coaching Brian's basketball team.
To the Sullivans, he is not a trainer but a dear friend. |
| "Not only does Donald have the knowledge and expertise to
get you where you need to be, but he really cares about the
people he works with," Sullivan said. "It is so rare and such
a blessing when you can find a personal trainer who is not
about booking sessions but helping people achieve their goals."
|
| Taking a break from a Monday workout, Sullivan rattled off
the differences her "wellness makeover" has made in her life.
The toned arms and tighter waistline are apparent, but Sullivan
is most excited about her improved energy level, increased
stamina and healthier outlook on eating. |
| "I've learned that the way to lose weight is not starving
myself," she said. "It took lifestyle changes, which take
time, but in the long run they are changes that will stick." |
| A component of the contest included sessions with Michele
Powers, a registered dietitian and chef. Sullivan said those
meetings complemented her workouts with Poindexter, helping
her learn how to choose foods with "healthy" carbohydrates
and fats, prepare and cook them in a healthy way, and balance
her guilty pleasures and Brian's snacks with flavorful health
foods. |
| Months later her son is still making healthier eating choices
and is even expressing interest in pursuing an education in
culinary arts. He has been able to take the exercises he learned
from Poindexter and implement them in the things he loves,
like basketball. |
| For Sullivan, it took a three-month commitment to change
her outlook on eating, learning that balance is the key, not
eliminating certain favorite foods from your diet. |
| "Food will always be a challenge for me," she said. "I love
to eat. But it's not an all or nothing deal. You just have
to learn to incorporate everything into a balance." |
| Rather than being stuck on the numbers on a scale or a clothes
size, Sullivan said she has become content with maintaining
a regular workout schedule and a reasonable diet. |
| "It's neat to be able to look at the big picture and not
be obsessed with one piece of the puzzle," she said. |
| The big picture includes cholesterol levels and risk for
becoming diabetic. Sullivan is pleased to know she is doing
everything in her power to be the healthiest person she can
be. Without the contest, Sullivan said she knows she would
be in worse shape than she was a year ago. |
| "Sometimes you need a jump start," she said. "This contest
gave me a jump start with my relationship with my family and
gave me a guide to focus on. It's well worth the time sacrifice
to get yourself started because it becomes a habit, something
you look forward to." |
| Although the Sullivan family could be facing a move to Colorado
in the next several months, Poindexter said he is confident
they can stay on their current course without him. He even
believes Sullivan has a future career bubbling under the surface. |
| "She's right there," he said. "She has the tools. She could
be a trainer." |
