BIDDEFORD – Stephen Martin lunged forward and turned his upper torso toward the weight room mirror with a look of determination.
“Just one more on this side,” said his trainer, Lisa Lewis, encouraging him to finish the workout strong.
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It was Martin’s first day of training with Lewis as a participant in The N.E.W. You program. He is one of six people accepted into the program, which began last week after a competitive application process.
Lewis, who owns Fueling Your Fitness, and Ben Vernon of Goshin Massage are offering 12 weeks of nutrition, exercise and wellness (N.E.W.) guidance — a $2,000 value — for free.
But of course, nothing is really free.
Any participant who doesn’t fulfill his or her commitment to the program will have to make a $500 donation to the Good Shepherd Food Bank. To avoid the penalty, Martin and the others will have to do all of the workouts, fill out a food diary and attend meetings on healthy living.
“A big issue (with weight loss or healthy living) is accountability,” Vernon said, explaining the $500 incentive.
For Martin, a Biddeford resident, that money is surely a reason to stick with the program. Other reasons include his two children.
“My goal is a lifestyle change. I want to be more healthy,” said Martin, who is 47. “My father passed away from heart disease at 73. I want longevity in my life.”
Throughout the 12 weeks, each participant will meet individually with Lewis to discuss nutrition and learn new exercises at the Northern York County YMCA gym, which is giving each participant a membership during the program.
They will meet separately with Vernon to learn the importance of stretching, flexibility and relaxation as a component of healthy living.
The participants have individual goals, but weight loss isn’t necessarily one of them, except as a product of healthy living.
“It’s really a platform to promote health and wellness,” Lewis said. “Just because you’re a busy mom or have a full-time career doesn’t mean you can’t be healthy.”
Martin, who travels a lot for work, has used his “on-the-go” lifestyle as an excuse not to exercise or have a healthy diet.
For Kelly Roy, being a mother of four children, ages 5 to 14, has kept her out of the gym.
“I want to learn to cook healthier meals for them and my husband too,” Roy said.
Roy worked with a nutritionist about 15 years ago, but never had guidance in the gym or the support of a group. With five other people and weekly group meetings, Roy said, there is a “team” aspect to The N.E.W. You program.
“I can’t let my team down,” she said. “And it’s nice to know you’re not alone.”
With rising obesity rates and weight-related diseases constantly in the news, Lewis and Vernon hope to help the six participants take a step toward healthier living in the next 12 weeks.
Vernon said he hopes the lessons they teach will trickle down in the community. “The more people we affect, exponentially it grows,” he said, perhaps attracting new clients.
Said Lewis: “It is back to basics and eating the way our ancestors ate and focusing on feeling good.”
Staff Writer Emma Bouthillette can be contacted at 791-6325 or at:
ebouthillette@pressherald.com
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