For dieters, the rule of thumb is that the Christmas holidays are trying times. And who wouldn't be tempted with the black cake, the rum popo, the ham, the turkey, and all that cranberry? But yesterday, we found 20 dieters who say the have the personal resolve and the professional resources to stand firm during the Christmas feast. They're part of a novel program at Integral Family Health Care Center where 40 persons got placed in a free weight loss programme under the instruction and supervision of nutritionist Karen Rosito. Only 20 stayed on for the whole 6 months and yesterday they told me that the best part wasn't the fact that it's free, but that it worked.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
When forty four year old Carolyn Welch joined the program she weighed in at over three hundred pounds. Today she is thirty pounds lighter. Welch not only went on diet to get rid of the excess fat but improve her health that has suffered because of high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Carolyn Welch, 44 years old
"When I was like 316 pounds, I was like, 'this can't work.' When I came over here I had like 313 and through the diet and exercise and under Karen's advice, I am here now with 276.5 pounds and I feel so great,. The blood pressure has gone down, it is maintained at a normal rate, the cholesterol has gone from 384 to 135, the blood sugar level is okay. Everything is great."
In June, the Integral Family Care Center recognized that they needed to do something that would help address the problem of obesity in Belize City. According to Doctor Cecilio Eck the Clinical director we are living in a fat culture that is damaging Belize's health.
Dr. Cecilio Eck, Clinical Director
"All of our foods are geared towards starch and fat. So most of our population is fat. Obesity then is one of the major risk factors in the three main killers in Belize, heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. If we control obesity, we'll have the inroad to controlling these major illnesses."
Seventy year old Joan Buckley who has had hypertension for more than two decades. Is also at risk of getting diabetes. She admits it has not been easy controlling her diet but for the first time she feels good about her progress.
Jacqueline Godwin,
I know you suffer with high blood pressure. What are the numbers like? Have there been some successes? Have you reached your goal?
Joan Buckley - 70 years old
"Oh definitely because it was always a 100 and now it is 80 so I think it was a success for me."
The women credit the success to the aggressive support of nutritionist Karen Rosito who they say provided the right kind of recipe to make them achieve their goal.
Karen Rosito, Nutritionist
"Even though they know they have diabetes, hypertension and obesity they tend to still want to eat because food is also comfort. The chocolates etc so its like they lose five pounds during the week and then they gain back that five pounds or the two pounds on the weekend. We had them write down what they ate, what they did on a weekly basis so we can go back over it and have them see well you know I am really shock to see that I ate so much."
Jacqueline Godwin,
But it takes that personal will and commitment to achieve it. That is a challenge. How challenging was it for you?
Carolyn Welch,
"Hmm it was extremely challenging because at times I look in the fridge and I saw the soda, I saw the chocolate and I am like oh my God, no, no, I noh want that. I made myself get used to that idea and that was when I realized that now I can do this. I know I can do this."
Jacqueline Godwin,
Will you keep on doing over the next five days?
Carolyn Welch,
"Everyday, I will keep on, right throughout he whole holiday season. My birthday is February and I want to go down at least 250 pounds if I can make it that far."
The nineteen women and one man lost a combined total of two hundred pounds. Today they were awarded for their accomplishment.
Lura Kelly, Participant - Weight loss Clinic
"It was kind of difficult at first yes but then I had to think of my health, and I had to put a mindset that I am working towards my health so then I took it up in the morning and do my exercise and get the right food to eat."
Jacqueline Godwin,
You started out on the program with 246 pounds. Today you came for your final weigh in. What is the number?
Lura Kelly,
"Its 226."
Jacqueline Godwin,
"Congratulations."
Lura Kelly,
"Thank you."
Jacqueline Godwin,
So if you can do it,
Lura Kelly,
"Everybody else can. You just have to put your mind to it."
Dr. Cecilio Eck, Clinical Director
"They eat differently, they think differently about themselves, they exercise more and that is the real change what we want to implement."
Seventy one year old Shirley Hinds was awarded for her commitment despite the limitations of a broken foot having a broken foot. But she believes it was the support of her son that made it possible.
Shirley Hinds, 71 years old
"He is everything to me at this time and before and I can't go and eat nothing which I am to eat, not even behind his back."
Dr. Cecilio Eck,
"We eat a lot of fatty food. Not only that but in the Caribbean on a whole, we like fat children. So being a pediatrician, going throughout the Caribbean I realize that Belize has a huge problem. Fat kids grow up to be fat adults and you do the math, you go on the street, and you will see every one in three people are fat, eating up the panades, the garnaches, the tamales, the coconut oil in rice and beans, the hudut. All of our food are geared towards starch and fat."
Jacqueline Godwin,
So Joan has managed to complete this six month weight program. What now will become of Joan?
Joan Buckley, 70 years old
"Well Joan will continue. She won't be stopping. Forward with the same program on my own."
Karen Rosito,
"Basically lose ten pounds on the scale and it is all water weight or you can lose three pounds on the scale and it is fat I am happier. We want you to lose fat or we want you to gain muscle. A lot of the older ladies that you interviewed today gained muscle mass at 70 they are doing exercises so that allowed that blood sugar level in their body to go down because muscle uses sugar."
It is hoped that not only these patients will stick to their diets throughout the Christmas holiday but Belizeans on a whole will make a similar effort to achieve a healthier lifestyle. For 7News Jacqueline Godwin.
Those individuals who gave support to the patients were also awarded. The programme will resume on January nineteeth. The Integral Family Care Centre would like to give special thanks to those individuals and businesses who made it possible.
