Art was overweight and out-of-shape when he met the founder of Devon Hiking Spa in July 2006. He weighed 250 pounds, drank soda daily, added salt to most of his food, ate large unplanned meals, and could not find the time to exercise. Since that meeting, he has lost 30 pounds by changing his eating and exercise habits. Now, when Art does his supermarket shopping, he reads labels and chooses healthier foods. To ensure his meals and snacks are well-balanced, he plans in advance. Art now walks on a treadmill. Like most people, Art has days when he overeats or doesn't exercise. However, reinforced by regular communication with Devon Hiking Spa's staff, Art stays motivated and knows that all of his nutrition and exercise-related questions will be answered. Following are some of the emails Art has sent to his dietitian and fitness coach.

9/5/06

I do my supermarket shopping for the week on Sundays. I now prepare healthy snacks in advance and, when going out to dinner, I bring home leftovers for the next day's lunch or dinner. I have had fewer than 10 cans of Pepsi since my first nutrition consultation and I have had salt only on popcorn. Also, I am getting on the treadmill for 20-30 minutes at a time. I am down to 237 pounds!

9/11/06

This past weekend, I went to a barbecue and ate too much. The next night, I overate again and drank two cans of Pepsi. I felt uncomfortable both days. I am off from work this week so I know I will eat right and exercise everyday. I will start today with a daily food journal and exercise log.

9/22/06

I am doing 40 minutes on the treadmill at varying inclines and speeds. I had to buy some new clothes. I am down to a 40 waist and down one notch on my belt.

9/23/06

I have added 3 pound weights to my treadmill routine. I carry the weights for the first four minutes and the last 4 minutes. When I bend over to touch my toes, if I curl my big toe up, I touch my finger!

10/3/06

I am down to 233 pounds!

11/25/06

I am doing well. I am 224 pounds! I can see the difference in the mirror. I am about to move another notch on my belt. My diet has been good. (Thanksgiving I was pretty good.) My exercise was going great then work (busy season) has started early and I have not been able to work out this week.

11/27/06

I can touch my toes! My treadmill has two worn lines in it. I’ve been doing about an hour, at various speed and inclines. When I finish the workout I feel good, a little excited, and happy. I look forward to the next workout and feel cheated if I can’t because of work.

11/30/06

My thighs don’t stick together when I walk, no chaffing or anything. My system works great. I use 3 lb weights when I am on the treadmill, pumping my arms as I go. When I first started I could only last about 3-4 minutes. Now, I last 15-20 minutes and I am not huffing and puffing like I was when I first started. I can breathe through my nose the whole hour.

12/23/06

Work has been a nightmare. I’ve been putting in 14 to 15 hour days. There has been no time for exercise and my whole body is sore. I can't imagine how I bad I would feel if I was still carrying around the extra 30 pounds that I lost.

12/30/06

The worst of work is over, so I am trying to get back to normal. Although I have not exercised for some time, I seem to have stayed very close to the weight that I was before I stopped exercising. I will be honest… I did eat some cookies and candies at Christmas, but I am only a pound or two off. I will start up again on the first, since I am planning a little party for New Years.

1/2/07

Today was my first day back on the treadmill. I did 30 minutes at 1.5 miles per hour. My knee was giving me trouble all day. I had to use the hand rails for support when it was bothering me. If my knee wasn’t acting up, I think I would have gone the hour. I will get back to full swing in a day or two.

1/4/07

Today was my third day back on the mill and I did the hour. I feel a little drained. I think it will take a few more days to be back where I was with my exercise. My healthy eating is back in full swing and my weight is pretty much back to where it was. I love the results. My birthday is next week and I do have to work on control at holidays and special occasions.

1/5/07

My birthday is Tuesday so I will go out and treat myself, but I will bring half home. I will probably choose carrot cake for my treat.

1/8/07

I tried on a pair of new pants I had bought (waist 42) and they were too big! I was going to buy some jeans on my birthday, because the jeans I’ve been wearing and buying for years have been the "relax fit" and I am no longer a "relax fit" guy. I dug out some old jeans that I had tucked away and I found a couple of 40 waist, one 38 waist relax fit, and a bunch of 38 waist. Are you ready for this? The 40 waist and 38 waist "relax fit" are too loose. I fit into 38 waist regular cut jeans! They are a little snug, but they fit. I can’t tell you how great I feel. I now have my sights set for 36 waist. Now instead of buying jeans I’ll buy a couple of belts. On my birthday, I will start doing sit ups. I’m not sure how many. I will start off easy and work my way up.

I can’t express to you my gratitude and appreciation. The things you’ve taught me and are still teaching me are with me every day. At breakfast, I add fruit or nuts to my meal. I pay attention to portion sizes. And, I plan balanced meals and snacks that have protein and carbohydrate. Doing that has made it easy. I am never starving or hungry. I always have the right snacks with me. And, I do not deny myself the foods that I love even though they are not the healthiest. I do enjoy them on occasions. Thank you ever so much.

2/2/07

I went to the doctor on January 29th and found out that I weigh 216 pounds! I am going to try and control myself this weekend (Superbowl). I know I have trouble with holidays and special occasions.

2/11/07

Superbowl was OK. I only over did it on the Pepsi. I have been doing really well with eating, but I have not been exercising. I’ve been getting home from work very late and even when I plan to do a half hour something else happens.

3/10/07

I am still eating well but my job has prevented me from exercising. After an 11-12 hour day, I just do not have much time or energy. So weekends are the only time I can walk. I don’t know if it’s the extra work or if something else is happing but I seem to get hungry earlier than I used to.

3/20/07

I am not eating more, I just feel hungry before I have my snack or meal break. I had my snack at 10:30 AM but I wanted it earlier. Same with lunch and dinner. I have just felt like my clock was off. I’m getting ready for my workout now. It snowed this past Friday, so my exercise was shoveling.

5/27/07

I am still 216 pounds, so I have maintained this weight for at least four months. I have been eating well, but I just don’t have time to exercise. The company that I work for is undermanned, so we are all overworked. I’m looking forward to the summer fruits, since I’m getting a little tired of apples. I’ve already started with melons and cherries. I haven’t said it in some time but thank you so much for all your help and continued support.