The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

FIVE Bahamians were able to jump-start their journey to reclaiming their health in an eight-week wellness programme.

Launched by Colina Insurance in conjunction with Jemi Health & Wellness and the Walk-In Medical Clinic, the Wellness In Action: Reclaim Your Health programme promoted healthy lifestyle behaviours for the participants.

The five finalists – Heather Cartwright-Theriault, Shenique Ford, Louise Marshall, Dwight Moncur and Betty Taylor – were given the opportunity to turn their health around and win prizes at the same time through the challenge.

Over the eight weeks, the participants saw reductions in their body fat, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol and more.

“The invisible epidemic of chronic lifestyle diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and stroke, are challenges that have reached epidemic proportions in the Bahamas,” said Colina Vice President of Group and Health Benefits Wendy Butler.

“Our Wellness in Action programme tackles this issue for our clients and promotes healthy behaviours. Our tagline is, “Reclaim your health”, and Colina is the right brand to spearhead this initiative that promotes the importance of diet, nutrition and exercise in the enjoyment of a healthy lifestyle.”

The wellness journey began on Facebook in March as five contestants were selected from dozens of participants who wrote to Colina to explain why they needed to adopt healthier eating and exercise habits.

The chosen five set out to reduce bad cholesterol, balance blood pressure and reduce BMIs (body mass indexes) to a healthy level. The fitness regimen involved weekly coaching meetings, challenging workouts with Jemi’s personal trainers and solo exercises.

While all of the participants saw improvements, Betty Taylor was the grand prize winner of the challenge, receiving gifts worth $3,000. The prize bundle is designed to help the winner continue his or her healthy lifestyle journey, including a year’s membership at Jemi Wellness, a three-month nutritionist consultation, three months of personal training services, a spa package, a NutriBullet and a workout wardrobe.

Mrs Taylor lost a total of 44.80 pounds and a body fat percentage of 14.78. Her starting weight was 303.20 pounds and at the end of the eight-week challenge she weighed in at 258.40 pounds.

“I want to thank God for allowing Jemi and Colina to come together for this programme that has really helped me reach this first milestone of my journey. My experience with this challenge has been an awesome and eye-opening one for me. There were some things that we had to work on such as emotional eating, and certain things that may be deemed as healthy but are not good when you are trying to lose weight,” she said.

Mrs Taylor said the entire experience was a great one for her and she is determined to continue living a healthier lifestyle.

Health coach and president of Jemi Wellness Janette Martin-Isaacs said the wellness approach was a holistic one.

“For many people, the weight loss journey lags because they are just trying to fix the physical part of themselves. We combine exercise with behaviour modification and help them with true wellness so that they can be successful with weight loss,” she said.

She also commended all of the participants of the programme who she believes have accomplished “great feats” where their health and well-being is concerned.