Charles Phillips is so interested in getting healthier, he’s willing to drive to Bowling Green from Russellville to get the tools he needs.
“I met with a dietitian before Christmas,” the Russellville man said. “We talked about goals, how to make smarter choices in the food that I eat and an exercise program.”
Phillips will be participating in the Healthy Weight/Healthy Life class, which starts Tuesday.
“I’m interested in losing weight,” Phillips said. “I want to learn to eat better instead of crash dieting.”
The six-week class will meet from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. each Tuesday through Feb. 28 at The Medical Center’s Health and Wellness Center at Chandler Park. The cost is $50, and preregistration is required. For more information or to register, call 745-0942, 877-800-3824 or visit www.themedicalcenter.org.
“We usually do this twice a year. With the new year, we’re trying to reinforce wellness,” Community Wellness Manager Andrea Norris said. “It’s something to teach individuals to make a lifestyle change, something they can keep up and use for the rest of their lives.”
The class focuses each week on something different, Norris said.
“We’ll talk about portion control, food labels, healthy eating when dining out, grocery shopping tips, cooking tips, recipe substitutions, healthy ways to stock their pantry,” she said.
The class also provides support, Norris said. “With a class, you have more people so it’s a support system as well,” she said. “They’re able to encourage each other.”
Phillips has already incorporated some of the strategies in his life. He hopes to alleviate his high blood pressure and sleep apnea through a healthy diet and exercise.
“It’s about staying alive and staying healthy,” he said.
Phillips has managed to make health a lifestyle. He works out at least six days a week at the Carpenter Center in Russellville.
“When I don’t do it, I miss it,” he said. “You have to commit to it.”
He walks on a treadmill for one hour at a brisk pace. He also likes to use an elliptical machine.
“I’m 54 years old, so I can’t go out and jog,” he said, laughing. “It’s easier on my joints.”
Phillips plans to add weightlifting to his routine very soon.
“It’s an important component to losing weight,” he said.
Phillips said he eats at home more than at restaurants. When eating out, he uses an application on his phone called “My Fitness Pro” that tells him how many calories a food contains. He and his wife often split an entree to lessen the calories.
“She does not need to lose weight,” he said. “She’s very supportive of me. I guess she wants to keep me around longer.”
Phillips said he’s trying to burn 500 to 600 calories a day and to eat 300 calories less than his body needs to fuel itself.
“I’ve lost 15 pounds so far,” he said. “I’ve got another 100 pounds to lose, so I’ve got a ways to go.”
Phillips said he has told several people at the Carpenter Center about the classes.
“It’s very affordable. It’s a good way to learn all the little things that you need to do to lose weight,” he said. “You’re never too old to lose weight. If I can do it, anybody can.”
