MyHNE
HNEDirect
The terms “Quarantine-15” or “COVID Curves” is a thing! If you have gained unwanted weight since March of 2020, know that you are not alone in this trend. Many people also have felt a struggle to fit in a workout, as life has pulled them in so many different directions. It is time to take charge and get back to taking care of your mental and physical health.
Get and Stay Fit with Healthy Directions Programs
As a Health New England member, you get access to exclusive programs and resources. Most of these programs are free or offered at a discount so you can get your mind, body and spirit back to being the best version of you.
An online wellness company with live online yoga and meditation via two-way video technology, so you are seen and supported in real-time by your teacher — enabling you to practice safely and effectively, regardless of your experience level. You can take a class from home, the office, or even when you’re on vacation! Health New England members can get an unlimited monthly membership for the discounted rate of $19.99/month or a yearly subscription for $149/year. http://hnetalk.com/member/ompractice-discounted-online-yoga-program-for-members/
Listen along with our experts who are skilled within their respective fields on various topics such as immunity through nutrition, mindfulness, managing emotions and more! https://www.healthnewengland.org/Wellness/Where-Your-Health-Matters
Whether you are going to the gym, running a 5K road race, working to maintain a healthy diet and weight, or trying to quit tobacco use, we want to help you be successful. https://healthnewengland.org/wellness/reimbursement-programs
Take Our Core Challenge
Watch the full video
Looking For Healthy Recipes?
View our collection of tasty and easy-to-make recipes on our online library.
How It Started | How It’s Going
I have always struggled with my weight, but it wasn’t until after high school that it got out of control. From not making healthy food choices to not exercising, I was not taking care of myself. My weight skyrocketed more than 80 pounds. Over the next 10 years, I tried every fad diet out there and failed.
In 2016, I saw several of my associates join Health New England’s meFit program and succeed in reaching their health and wellness goals. However, I always found excuses not to participate. The truth was, I was scared of failing again. But, I finally decided to take back control of my health. I have two young daughters and I want to set a good example for them.
The meFit program really helped me lay the foundation for a healthier lifestyle. I have become stronger, both physically and mentally. Over the past five years, I have lost over 120 pounds through diet and exercise changes!
My goal in starting this journey was to be a better example for my daughters. I know I have done that. We cook together, they cheer me on when I work out, and sometimes they even join me! I am so thankful that I invested in myself and that Health New England provided the opportunity.
Shantelle O.
Health New England Associate
I began my fitness journey through Health New England’s meFit program in 2016. Designed specifically for Health New England associates, the meFit program is a 12-week, intensive lifestyle management program that supports total wellness and healthy weight loss through group personal training and individual nutritional counseling.
It’s hard to believe that March 12, 2020 was my last in-person workout with my trainer. Little did I know that soon I would need to become my own personal trainer. If I’m being honest, I hid in my home and did not go outside for the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic. Typically, I’m not a great self-motivator and had no desire to do anything. Moreover, I really missed the aspect of working out with my coworkers; they really kept me going when we were all working out together!
However, as the days grew nicer, I knew I needed to get myself moving - not just for the physical benefits, but for the mental aspect as well. To get myself back into a healthy routine, my husband and I started taking walks in our neighborhood. Our walk was not a nice easy stroll; we power walked up and down the streets until we created a three-mile loop that we did daily, sometimes twice a day. I also pulled out my eight-pound weights and started using them to enhance my exercises.
We also added a little gym in our home with a bosu ball and a kettle bell. During the winter months, we moved our neighborhood walk to the reservoir near our home. What started as a four mile walk has now turned into a jog. My routine now consists of a four mile jog (three times a week) and I walk the other days. My body and mind crave the movement. It’s a great feeling. Also, my husband has been so motivated that he is now training to run a 10K, so he runs more often and longer.
Since I began my fitness journey, I wasn’t focused so much on losing weight. For me, it was about maintaining my health, and building healthy habits. Over the course of the past year, I’m proud to say that I have maintained my weight and stayed strong.
Peggy G.
In March of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit a roaring head in Massachusetts. Guidelines were strictly set in place advising everyone to stay indoors, socially distance and wear facemasks. My company instructed me to start working from home to stay safe. I spent a lot of my time cooking and spending time with my kids during my first month at home. But as time progressed, I noticed how much I just needed to be outside.
I started to go on walks around the neighborhood just to clear my head and get out of the house. As we got further into the statewide lockdown, I increased my walks from one lap around the neighborhood to either two or three loops, depending on the day. Slowly, I started to realize how much just doing something so simple as walking cleared my mind and gave me an extra boost. As the months went by, I started increasing the duration of my walks. Eventually, my walk turned into a 4-mile jog - every day! In conjunction with exercise changes, I started to modify my diet. This whole lifestyle change started with small changes. I first began with portion control and healthier options of food that I enjoyed. I loved going on Pinterest to find healthy recipes that my kids and I could enjoy together.
All of these small modifications have allowed me to become both mentally and physically stronger than ever before. I am so thankful that I was able to take this time to invest in myself to become a stronger and healthier version of me.
Anne J.Health New England Associate