Friday June 17 was a memorable day at New/U, a medical weight loss clinic located at at 10407 Northcliffe Blvd., in Spring Hill.
Owner, founder and nutritionist Carol Phillips, and co-owner Angela Kneip, a counselor who oversees each client’s individual program and progress, were guests of honor at a retirement party celebrating their combined 47 years of mentoring individuals in achieving their weight loss goals.
A successful business in the community for over 20 years, New/U offers seven, physician-approved programs to suit every individual seeking to lose those extra pounds.
“Our programs are safe for diabetics and heart patients of all ages and developed to encourage life-changing choices with regard to food intake and regular exercise,” said Kneip, 76. We focus on losing weight safely and keeping it off permanently,” she said.
New/U programs are founded on individual counseling sessions provided two to three times a week and emphasis on behavior modification and learning how to achieve permanent weight loss.
Each client has to provide their medical history prior to enrollment and then be weighed and measured to start building a profile. Blood samples are tested and only then can the doctor-approved personal program be determined.
Following that, there is a six-day detox diet and each client sets his or her desired weight goal.
Depending on which program is chosen, Kneip will recommend what the daily intake of protein, dairy, vegetables and fruit should be for the client, including if added vitamins or natural vitamin injections are required.
“The client’s primary physician usually recommends how much weight their patient should ideally lose,” said Phillips. But we also have a physician who supervises our medical programs,” she said.
Client Pat Brennan, 75, who worked for several years at New/U as a nurse, dropped in to congratulate Phillips and Kneip.
“’I’m participating currently in one of New/U’s weight-loss programs,so I’m also here to get weighed,” she said. If I feel I’ve put on too many pounds, I come back to get trim again.”
Staff at the clinic include an operations manager, registered nurses and two assistants who advise and cater to clients’ every need whilst at the clinic. Operations Manager, Rhonda Peacock, 55, a licensed nutritionist has been at New/U for over five years.
“The nurses monitor individual medications, lab work, give injections and any other procedures necessary,” she said. And our assistants weigh and measure each client and review their food diaries,” said Peacock.
While dietary choices are paramount to weight loss, New/U recommends a regime of daily exercise to help burn calories and lose inches.
“In 2013 and in conjunction with Slender You Fitness Salons, we expanded our premises and installed motorized toning tables to encourage our clients to exercise regularly,” said Phillips. “Not everyone can do rigorous exercise or go to a gym,” she said.
Toning beds are motorized devices that gently exercise and stretch the muscles in the body. They’re often used for rehabilitation or as part of an exercise program for senior citizens and others who have difficulty doing traditional exercise programs. Users can wear street clothing and there is little to no sweating.
The beds resemble a medical doctor’s examination table. A person typically sits or lies on the bed to perform an exercise that uses a particular group of muscles.
“These toning tables are perfect for a variety of resistance exercises and offers a gentle beginning for our older clients or those who have joint or muscle problems,” said Phillips.
“And, importantly, this type of therapy is accepted by health insurance companies and we also accept Silver Sneakers,” she said.
Eileen Castle, 79, from Hudson, suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis and comes to use the toning tables three times a week.
“I also suffer from an auto-immune condition and using these tables helps me tremendously,” said Castle. I spend about 10 minutes on each table and feel so much better afterwards,” she said.
Another married couple who use the toning tables are Hilde, 77, and Fred Kraut, 82. Kraut said he had back surgery recently and likes to come and stretch on the tables.
“These tables really take the tension out of my back,” he said.
“We’ll be very sorry to see my mom and Angela retire after so many years here,” said Peacock, “but looking forward to welcoming the new owner, Elaine Monagas, who will take the helm on July 1.
Monagas, a single mom has lived in the area since 1993. She was previously a director at YMCA and a playschool teacher.
“I am looking forward to helping others to reach their weight and fitness goals,” she said. I have big shoes to fill.
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IF YOU GO
A weight loss and wellness clinic specializing in programs that change bad eating habits into healthy choices.
Where:
10470 Northcliffe Blvd.
Spring Hill, FL 34608
When:
Mon-Wed-Fri
7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tues, Thurs
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturdays
8 a.m. to noon.
Telephone:
352.686.9770