Weight Management
(Picture of some weight management clients during an open class – boot camp 12pm Ethos performance room, £3.50 per session, book at Ethos reception)
35 people signed onto the Energia Active Lifestyles Weight Management program 2014 based in Ethos. With some trepidation the group were taken through an eight week fitness and nutrition program. All Imperial staff, students and external members of Ethos are all welcomed onto the course. Each member has now built up the confidence and nutritional knowledge to attend our classes and follow their macros.
Often people assume weight management is just for people who want to lose weight, however our program caters for all goals. Often we have people sign up whom are looking to increase muscle mass, help with motivation to attend training sessions or develop more knowledge about nutrition and this was no different for the 35 who joined the third weight management program lead by Shannon Jewell Active Lifestyles Manager all required tailored advise.
During the eight week cycle, the group was taken through a detailed battery of health tests and initial screenings. Once all testing was completed week 1 started with the group gaining access to the gym, swim, small group personal training (fast classes) and studio classes as part of their program. The members also were invited to group nutrition seminars, provided with goodies bags of health snacks and t-shirts.
Weight was monitored on a weekly basis with body fat testing at the half way stage during a 121 consultations. Finally during the last week everyone went through all the health assessments again to compare and provide information on their progress. A detailed initial and final testing report was given to each member and within the final evaluation a three month exit strategy out of the program overviewed each person’s new goals which will help them stay on track once they left weight management. The eight weeks intense program finished with a fabulous presentation evening at East Side bar.
Sharon – Finance Dept
“ Before weight management I was not confident in the gym and therefore did not like to attend any classes or come into Ethos. Having been through the programme three times and had the support from the Active Lifestyles Team for a year and a half I have lost over two stone, feel amazing and enjoy coming to the gym daily to attend the free 5pm fast classes, morning spin and circuits classes on offer in Ethos. The best thing about the program is the friendly and helpful staff. They are always here to support us and make sure we reach our goals even after the program finishes”.
Victoria – Computer Science Dept
“I’d pretty much given up on the idea that yet another new approach would work, and was ready for anything from you saying to keep the weight loss to 1/2 a pound a week to putting me on a strict 1200 calorie a day diet (same old, same old). I certainly wasn’t expecting you to put me on an (almost) 1500 calorie diet and telling me that I could comfortably lose 6kg if I followed your eating and training advice for eight weeks. I know it is early days, but I’m thrilled with how much I have lost, how much better my skin is looking, how much more energy I have and how much more comfortable I am feeling – even with the sore muscles! I am eating far more than I normally would on a diet, far more healthily and I’ve never lost weight this fast. Most importantly I realise that I can’t go ever back to how I was eating before, and actually that doesn’t make me feel sad or scared, which is a nice surprise.
I am also really impressed by the ALT classes. It is amazing how much personal tailoring your team is managing and I love that when the group became too large you said ‘great, let’s have two groups’ rather than struggling to try and do a good workout in too small a space. Plus, when sensing it is the right time, pointing out a solid exercise set that we can do by ourselves outside the class. And even when the class is over there is advice and encouragement”
Out of the 35 people registered onto the program 23 people aimed to lose weight, and together achieved a total weight loss of 108kg in eight weeks including the groups body fat reduced by a total of 48%. A special thank you goes to Coan Beef Jerky whom sponsored all the health high protein snack treats.
If you would like to find out more information about weight management please contact Shannon Jewell – Active Lifestyles Manager on actlife@imperial.ac.uk