Sacha Walters and Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporters
Helen Eyre, who owns her own nutrition club, talks about the experience.
Many Jamaicans are raising their glasses to improved health, friendship, happiness and business possibilities, with shakes and teas in hand.
These Jamaicans are a part of nutrition clubs all over the island which facilitate the consumption of Herbal Life shakes and aromatic teas.
They join a group of highly motivated and result-oriented persons, internationally, who use Herbal Life products to improve their health. The international nutrition and weight-management company has over 1.7 million distributors worldwide, of various products geared towards a healthy lifestyle; teas and shakes being two of them.
The nutrition club, which is popular in Mexico, affords individuals easy access to a cup of aromatic tea or a shake at various times of the day.
Recently, Flair toured two of these clubs in the corporate area with Dr Anthony Vendryes, a medical doctor, user and distributor of the products, to see what has everyone so hooked.
Rosemarie King's story
Rosemarie King was frustrated with tight clothing tugging at her arms, avoiding mirrors and being shunned by store attendants who didn't have her size. Adding to her unhappiness was the stress she encountered as a financial controller. She needed a release. She found it at a nutrition club on Braemar Avenue near where she works.
"If they don't see me in my office, they know I am down here. People used to even come with cheques for me to sign. I couldn't get to take a vacation and this was my oasis," said King, who eventually saw the benefits of sipping tea and maintaining the lifestyle they promote.
She has been gradually shedding the pounds, boosting her self-esteem and energy, so much so, she, too, is in the business of providing such an oasis for others.
"I fired my boss. I just decided what I wanted to do with every hour of my day," said King, who now runs her three-month-old nutrition club at 17 Holborn Road.
She gives others the chance to destress with games like Scrabble, dominoes and Chinese checkers.
But ever so often, you find her at her original oasis, having a cup of tea.
Dr Vendryes emphasised that apart from the weight-loss benefits of the tea, shakes and tablets, they also address a variety of medical issues.
Benefits
Helen Eyre was also introduced to Herbal Life products by Dawn Carter, owner of the Braemar club. Her high blood pressure, high cholesterol and arthritis have all decreased. But most impressive was the improved vision of both herself and her husband. It impressed their optician so much, she, too, started using the products.
Eyre operates her own club on Constant Spring Road, and it's visited by a number of taxi drivers.
"They start their day at three or four o'clock in the mornings. They get to me between nine and 11. That's their break and most of them just congregate there. They will come back during the day, wanting the rush from a cup of tea," Eyre said.
Carter first got into the products when she was invited to a meeting and literally guessed which product she would buy, just to show appreciation for being invited.
Subsequent results convinced her and members of her family to continue using the products.
Carter pointed out that overall, it's a way of life, and for her and many others, a business.
A business which is fully supported by the international company, which gives them information through seminars. Nothing is wrong with wanting to run a successful business. An idea with which Eyre concurred. After years of being a housewife, she can now run her own operation.
Tried diets
Rosemarie King says her Herbal Life experience has not only made her lose weight, but gain self-confidence.
Dr Hope Russell-Dunn developed diabetes nine years ago. A side effect of her medication was weight gain. She tried all kinds of diets, including cabbage soup and grapefruit, all without success. "I was desperate," she said.
Her husband, Dr Brendan Dunn, began using Herbal Life products but she was very sceptical, so she watched him for four months. After a visit to the doctor, she was told her diabetes was getting worse and she would have to start taking insulin. "I am scared of needles, so I knew I had to do something. Therefore, I went on the programme."
She notes that afterwards, she was able to control her high cholesterol, anaemia and stop taking her diabetes medication.
At work, her colleagues noticed her weight loss and also wanted to use the same products. Six years ago, she and her husband became Herbal Life representatives, helping those who want to live a healthier lifestyle. They now operate the Kencot Health Club in Cross Roads.
Members go mostly for breakfast and lunch every day, and it's a good meeting spot for lyming. When Flair visited the club, we met Kayon Adamson.
Health conscious
Adamson is a regular who has been going to the club for the past year. She operates a bar nearby, so she is able to pop in whenever she likes.
Since 2004, she has struggled with her weight going up to 170 pounds. Her main problem was snacking. Since then, she has become more health conscious and has lost 30 pounds since she started the programme in 2006. "It is the best I have felt since I started taking the products. I usually have a shake every day but now, I'm cutting back because I am losing too much weight," she explained.
Also visiting the club that day was Yvonne McLaren, who is a member of a club in St Thomas.
"When I went there, I had the tea and shake and I began feeling better, so I became a regular. I did not even have energy to climb the steps, but since starting the programme, I am able to do so."
McLaren is also diabetic and since the programme she has reduced her medication. "I have also lost weight. I was over 190 pounds now, I am 160."
Kayon Adamson (left) and Dr Hope Russell-Dunn share their Herbal Life experience with the 'Flair'.
