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Destination wellness programs: Too good to be true?

By WTOP Staff

Many of us — myself included — dream of visiting a wellness resort, where our sole focus is on ourselves. But do destination wellness programs work once you return home?

Among the many wellness programs that exist, a few are worth noting because they go beyond nutrition and fitness. These programs address the “whole” individual through strategic educational classes offered during the stay and, even more importantly, focus on emotional well-being instead of just physical changes.

While many people are familiar with the competitive and often dramatic ” Biggest Loser” television series which debuted its 16th season in September, fewer realize the Biggest Loser Resorts offer everyday people the potential for long-term lifestyle changes with a structured wellness program. In addition to locations in Malibu, California and Niagara, New York, one new resort opened in Chicago in September and another will open in Jacksonville, Florida in October. The properties’ settings alone — like 1,350 acres at the top of a barrier island off the Northeast Florida coast — can serve as a muse for change.

[Read: Is ‘Biggest Loser’-Style Weight Loss Healthy?]

According to Derek Johnson, executive nutrition director at Biggest Loser Resorts, what sets The Biggest Loser Resort program apart from other wellness resorts is a five-point philosophy that focuses on fitness, wellness, nutrition, relaxation and camaraderie. The goal of the program is to “provide guests with the tools they need to feel empowered,” both from emotional and physical standpoints, he says. It makes sense if you think about it: Many of us want to make the right decisions to lead a healthy lifestyle, but simply do not know how. The Biggest Loser Resort family says it offers both the resources and the emotional support for guests to finally flip the switch on their own journey.

[Read: How to Make Small Lifestyle Changes.]

While it is easy to imagine the changes that take place when someone guides you each day through your fitness and nutrition choices, how easy is it to continue that journey after your vacation has ended? I spoke to Johnson to find out more.

What is the No. 1 goal for guests coming to the Biggest Loser Resorts?

We hope that our guests feel empowered to create the healthy and balanced lifestyle that we know they deserve. Guests often arrive with blank stares and confusion, and our five-point philosophy teaches new patterns and tools to make long-term changes. One of the most rewarding things is to watch guests transform not just physically but also emotionally throughout their stay into a different shell of who they used to be. While it is inspiring to witness dramatic health changes in guests, emotional changes are powerful to witness. It is not uncommon to see guests who start the week not saying a word to anyone emerge as leaders by the end of their stay.

What should people be aware of when they leave the confines of a wellness destination and return home?

Many guests have been thinking about coming to the resort for years, but have put it off. There is a lot of fear — of food, of exercise and of the emotions that come with change. Often times, the struggles that individuals face during the week have to do with their fears, and those same fears can be factors when people return to their daily lives. We often say that tears weigh more than pounds, which is why there is so much focus on the emotional journey with the help of life coaches and wellness counselors.

[Read: Positive Emotional Psychology: Have a ‘Daily Diet’ of Positive Emotions.]

Before they leave the resort, we encourage guests to identify one goal at a time (from a list of seven keys to success) to work on at home. Trying two or three things at once does not work because you never know what is working or not. Consultations with our wellness team during the week are key to applying new learning to individual circumstances and to having the best chance of success at home.

Is there one change that has the most impact when returning to daily life?

For many, the biggest changes center around nutrition. I like to say that you are only as good as the foundation of your nutrition. Food has to be “on” to reach both physical and emotional goals. Because of that, one significant lifestyle change happens when you establish an eating pattern with a specific structure to meal times and snacks throughout the day.

[Read: How to Transform Your Nutrition Habits.]

Once at home, life can and will get in the way. One way to adjust to the variables of being home is to stay connected for support. Guests of the Biggest Loser Resorts can keep in touch with the wellness team through ongoing consultations. In addition to a binder full of resources, handouts and learning materials, in 2015, guests will be able to connect digitally with a new platform designed for ongoing communication. It is also important to create a local wellness team to help over the long haul. Changing your relationship with food, for example, can take months and months. Finding a local practitioner for support is crucial, especially when the demands of life, work and family distract us.

It is true that a trip to a destination wellness resort involves an investment of time, finances and emotional energy. But it is hard to argue with outcomes such as a healthier lifestyle and improved self-confidence.

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Destination Wellness Programs: Too Good to be True? originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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