I’ve always been in love with Souris PEI, a
nd developed these heartfelt feelings while working as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist in the area. I ran an office in the town for almost 3 years and I’ve got to say it feels good to be “home” again.
Last week I launched a 4 week community Weight Loss Challenge in Souris and after 1 week the group’s results have already amazed me! This evening 32 group participants lined up in the hospital classroom to be weighed by yours truly. All week group challengers avoided tempting treats, moved their bodies more, got off the pop and vowed to make April 2010 their healthiest month yet. To no surprise this group delivered impressive results, with a total of 138 pounds lost in 1 week!
I’ve been teaching community weight loss challenges for 4 years, and have NEVER seen results this impressive. True all members are veterans of the Rachelle Wood Nutrition Holistic Weight Loss program, and I’m happy to add to the knowledge I’ve already taught them. It’s my pleasure to travel the distance to inspire and motivate you all on the road to better health. Nothing like a little friendly community weight loss challenge to bring out the best in all of us! Our class Biggest Loser also wins a prize, a 1 month subscription to See Results.
Not only does losing weight make you feel good and look good, it also decreases your risk for developing disease. After class this evening I had a great chat with the nurse on duty who explained to me the positive impact that my practice has had on the health of the entire community. She’s seen my clients literally shrink right before her eyes. The doctors in the small community hospital have recommended my services over the years because I have education and experience in the field of nutrition and am considered the "local nutrition expert".
O
ur lecture this evening consisted of a group discussion about the movie, “FoodInc.”, which aired on CBCNNs the Passionate Eye last night. Group members noted that the movie made them think twice about the food they put into their bodies and most importantly where it comes from. We mentioned the names of some local farmers (livestock and produce) that service the community’s nutritional needs and why it is so important to buy our food from them.
I think Canadians can learn a lot from Souris PEI when it comes to supporting local. The grocery stores and restaurants buy from local farmers in the area in season, and care about the health of the community. Last year I trained the Save Easy (former IGA) staff about healthy eating and worked with department managers first hand to improve the quality of goods sold from a nutritional and community sustainability point of view. As per my request the store bakery makes my weight loss morning glory muffins ( AND STILL STOCKS THEM TODAY). The stores focus, buy local first and to prepare/deliver fresh healthy meals for the good of the community.
Each summer Souris hosts
the Village Feast, a celebration of local food, culinary talent and entertainment. They have a local “fish peddler” who’s been selling seafood in the area since before I was born. And in the Fall you can buy apples from a local farmer who sits in the mall parking lot with a dodge ram truck full of local goods. Yes indeed, Souris is full of community spirit year round.
My heartfelt thanks go out to the community of Souris for supporting my nutritional career over the past 4 years. Although I no longer have an office in the community I do plan on hosting 2 annual community weight loss challenges in spring and fall. Yes Souris residents I may have, “big city dreams” but I promise that I will never forget where I came from, and that's Eastern PEI.
Are you interested in hosting a 4 week community or workplace Weight Loss Challenge? If so email us to find out more.