Pilot Weight Loss Program in Granby Among First in Country

The is developing a new kind of healthy lifestyle program called Change for Life that, if successful, may spread to other branches across the country.

The new venture, one of the very first of its kind according to Farmington Valley YMCA Executive Director Marcy Yanus, goes beyond weight loss and exercise to facilitate lifestyle changes for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. Included in the program are yoga, nutritional counseling, personal training and individual sessions with Gary Bicket, the organization’s wellness director.

“There is no program like this in the country,” Yanus said.

A YMCA member and Granby resident instigated the program who wished to remain anonymous instigated the program by bringing the idea to Yanus, helping with research for the class and making a monetary donation as well.  The donor, along with the other 11 members of the first class, takes part in educational, practical and physical 90-minute sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. Change for Life includes group and individual work, with the initial participants helping the organizers fine tune the program.

The research for Change for Life included consultations with Greg Hattinger, a nutrition expert best known for his work with NBC weight loss show The Biggest Loser. Yanus, Bicket, yoga instructor Mary Fuller, Nutritionist Alicia Newton and lead trainer David Rosenberg have worked together to create a curriculum focused on health and wellness, nutrition and stress reduction. Proper and effective exercise forms and routines, nutritional advice including healthy recipes and more are helping participants learn how to change their routines and lose, and keep off, excess weight.

“It’s really focused on changing the lifestyle of the individuals,” Yanus said.

The 12 original participants will participate in a second phase pilot project, also lasting 12 weeks, before the first open session is scheduled to begin in October. YMCA officials are currently looking for funding for the second phase pilot and for between 12 and 15 participants for the October session.

“This is the work we should be doing at the Y,” Yanus said. “We care, that’s what we’re here for.”

The program, if successful, could go nationwide, spreading across the entire YMCA network, according to Yanus.

The test group is made up of a wide variety of people, young and old, from across the Farmington Valley. The group’s BMI index numbers range from 35 to higher than 70.

The BMI index numbers, based on height and weight, are divided into categories including underweight (16 to 18.4), normal (18.9 to 24.5), overweight (25 to 29.9), obese (30 to 34.9) and very obese (above 35). You can calculate your own BMI here and learn more about the BMI here.

The Farmington Valley YMCA is looking for participants for the Change for Life program. For more information, contact Gary Bicket, wellness director, at 860-653-5524 or Gary.Bicket@ghymca.org to ask for an application.