Lose weight ... and save money

Training centre owner says her industry is failing the obese, so she's offering them use of her Baie d'Urfe facilities at no charge

Montreal Gazette Tue Nov 16 2010 Page: A3 Section: News Byline: JUNE THOMPSON Column: ShaPing Up Source: The Gazette Series: YOU’LL LIKE THIS A WEEKLY FOCUS ON POSITIVE NEWS IN TROUBLED TIMES

Frances Michaelson, a pioneer in fitness for more than 30 years, is passionate about all things health. However, she feels the fitness industry is "failing those that need us the most" -the obese. "We keep coming up with new toys and gadgets and workouts that are actually terrifying the very people we need to encourage to get moving," she said.

Michaelson tours the country giving lectures and workshops on living a healthy lifestyle, and she attended an industry conference in Chicago in October where she listened to Richard Simmons (yes, that Richard Simmons) address a group of fitness professionals. Simmons told the group that something is obviously wrong with the way things are: Trainers are being certified almost by the hour, and there are more gyms offering more classes and more equipment than ever before, but obesity statistics keep rising almost as fast.

"Simmons said it's because as trainers we are training the same fit people over and over again," Michaelson said,"instead of targeting the overweight and out-of-shape." Michaelson said she came home and was sitting in her Muscle Up personal training centre in Baie d'Urfe on a recent afternoon with Simmons's words still resonating in her head. She looked around at the near-empty space and wondered what she could do that would really make a difference. "And this light went on," she said. "Why don't I let people who have significant weight to lose come in and use the facility for free? Let's get them moving, and hopefully they'll see results and want to continue."

So Michaelson is opening her training centre on afternoons and evenings, absolutely free of charge, to people who have at least 50 pounds to lose and who fear the gym scene. Those who are interested will get an assessment, an introductory nutritional and fitness program, and six weeks free of charge; after that, Michaelson will work with clients to establish a sliding scale of payment, if necessary. "I really don't want it to be only about the money," she said."Let's see if those who are interested -and committed -start to feel better after they've been moving and eating better for a short while."

And they had better"use it or lose it" -she'd like to see the people who sign up come in at least three days a week. Michaelson said they should start to feel better after three weeks, and see results after six. "I want people to come in and really start to feel comfortable in this environment, let them see how it feels to just sit on a stability ball, or pedal on an exercise bike, to try something new." Many people don't even know the basics, like breathing, Michaelson said. "Learning how to breathe properly can make a tremendous difference in your day-to-day life," she said.

Michaelson knows how intimidating it can be for overweight people to even begin an exercise program. She's been working with Mary Vipond, an obese client in her 40s, since the summer and has helped Vipond gain a better understanding of herself and her body. "It's a very slow process,quot; Michaelson said. "We want to make lifestyle changes that will stick.quot; Mary called me the other night and told me she had climbed the stairs -all 11 floors of her building -something she had never before done -to me that's progressquot; she said. Vipond said she had been at a point where she didn't even know where to start anymore. "I knew Frances and reconnected with her through friends, but I really didn't know when I began where it would lead.quot;

Interestingly, Michaelson never told Vipond what she weighed at the outset of their working together. Vipond said that seems to be working out quite well. "What happens when you have a lot of weight to lose is we get caught up in the numbers and fixate on them" she explained. "When you don't reach those numbers, it can have a negative impact on your weight loss and your morale and you quit."

Vipond said Michaelson, a certified naturopath, introduced her to a new way of eating, emphasizing fruits and vegetables with lean proteins and whole grains. She said the shape of her body has changed significantly, and her energy level has increased dramatically. "My clothes are getting way too big and my co-workers keep commenting on my weight loss, so those are all good signs," she said with a laugh.