Universal Athletic Club: It Pays to Take It Off

Sept. 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Lancaster, Pa., September 29, 2010 --- Take It Off, a weight-loss program offered by Universal Athletic Club's Nutrition and Weight Loss Center, was recently approved as an official Weight Management Program through Health America - A Conventry Health Care Plan, making a healthy lifestyle more affordable and achievable for Lancaster Countians.

Because of the health benefits losing weight offers many insurance plans, like Health America, will cover the costs up to $150 per calendar year for the Take It Off plan. Phil Jaquith, Lancaster, Pa., said that with Take It Off he has lost 35 pounds.

"The really big news is I lowered my blood pressure from 139/90 to 111/60!" Jaquith said. Insurance companies also opt to support the Take It Off plan because it offers a weight loss option to more dangerous and more expensive surgeries.

"Since I started the program, I have lost 50 pounds. If I knew about the program before my gastric bypass, I would have really thought twice about having the surgery," said Steve Ortman, East Petersburg, Pa.  

"The Take It Off program is designed to provide the three key ingredients needed to lose up to 25 pounds in 12 weeks: a healthy satisfying eating plan, a regular exercise plan and weekly one-on-one accountability meetings with a certified coach," said Kelly Fry, Director of the Nutrition and Weight Loss Center, Universal Athletic Club.  

With the help of Universal's on-staff registered dietitian, Take It Off focuses on foods that are high-density, low-calorie while avoiding those that are high-calorie and low-density. There are plenty of healthy foods appropriate for losing weight but not all of them create a feeling of fullness.  

"It is common knowledge that the way to lose weight is to burn off more calories than you take in, but most people lose motivation to stay on a healthy eating plan when they feel unsatisfied." said Fry. "Take It Off focuses on the difference between following a low calorie healthy eating plan to lose weight versus one designed to keep the individual satisfied while losing weight."  

The professionals at the Nutrition and Weigh Loss Center at Universal believe the more satisfied the individual is with their foods, the longer they will stay on track and thus be more successful. They educate and guide their clients to choose foods that are not only low fat and low calorie, but those that will satisfy them.

According to Registered Dietitian Jenn Reed, Take It Off utilizes all common grocery store foods so that participants can learn how to make healthy choices on their own for life. There are two in-between meal snacks each day and there is a full line of Take It Off bars, shakes and drinks that are specifically designed to keep participants full and satisfied while losing weight. These portion-controlled snacks allow participants to satisfy any cravings for sweet and salty foods without the concern of over-indulging.  

"Take It Off is so easy," said Take It Off client, Amber Dyer, Millersville, Pa. "I am eating more food than I normally would. I am never hungry and best of all, it works! I am now educated in the correct way to eat and learned how my body reacts to food. I do not consider this program a diet, but a lifestyle that I will use for the rest of my life."

The second component of Take It Off is the weekly one-on-one meetings with a lifestyle consultant to provide motivation, inspiration, education and accountability throughout the client's weight loss journey. During these private meetings participants are weighed, encouraged and given additional tips to continue their weight loss success. Participants are also given weekly informational materials and new recipes to try.

Universal Athletic Club is able to add the third component to the Take It Off program: exercise. Research says regular exercise will not only aid in weight loss, it will help maintain weight loss. As a 16-year-old 90,000 square-foot, full service fitness facility, Universal Athletic Club is able to provide the instruction, programs and equipment necessary to make exercise a way of life. Take It Off lifestyle consultants say the goal is to make it a habit by the end of the three months.

The "Take It Off" plan also works for those who just have a few pounds to lose. "I decided to do 'Take It Off' when I couldn't seem to lose the 10 pounds I wanted to lose on my own," said Jennifer Shettel, Lititz, Pa. "The pounds came off, and my clothing fit again! I could feel good about wearing a bikini to the pool, and I love shopping for a smaller size now!"

More information about "Take It Off" can be obtained from Universal Athletic Club by calling 717-569-5396 or visiting www.UniversalAthleticclub.com.