Ruth Murphy is her own success story. A year ago she
weighed over 350 pounds, now after a 130 pound weight loss, extensive training
and schooling; she has opened Phoenix Whole Health in Raymond.
Phoenix Whole Health (PWH) offers weight loss support
groups, bootcamp type trainings and nutrition counseling as well as small group
exercise training at the new studio at Sedona Wellness on Route 302 with no
more than four to a group. PWH specializes in working with individuals of all
ages that have or are at risk for chronic health conditions like obesity,
diabetes and high cholesterol. PWH takes a whole body approach to health and
fitness – mind, body and spirit.
Murphy has always been in the health field. She is a
certified physical education teacher and although she has always struggled with
her weight, she still wanted to be active. After her weight loss, she decided
to get her National Academy of Sports Medicine personal trainer certification
and now is in the process of getting her Master’s degree in health psychology.
“I can say I’ve been there,” she said.
For some people losing weight is more mental than just
working out and decreasing calories. PWH offers support which is crucial to
success. Lap-Band and gastric bypass surgeries can fix how much a person eats,
but doesn’t necessarily fix the reasons why a person eats, said Murphy.
PWH also can work on time management skills which are
very important when it comes to finding time to go to the gym or time to
prepare food. Murphy works with each individual to formulate a plan that will
help them lose weight and get healthy. She likens her plans to an Individual
Education Plan in the schools, except about health. Each client gets an
individualized plan for fitness and nutrition. Murphy asks her clients, “What
support do they need to achieve their goals? What barriers do they have to
overcome?” By finding the answers to those questions, she can help figure out
what’s going to work for them.
“When I first saw the nutrition class listed in our local
Adult Ed brochure I was skeptical that it wouldn’t be any different than other
diet, food plans that I had experienced. But, I needed to do something to help
me with getting back to a healthy state. Ruth surpassed any doubts that I had
about learning about nutrition and establishing a healthy eating lifestyle,”
said client Marlene Thombs.
PWH works with all ages and fitness levels. The name
Phoenix Whole Health came from Harry Potter. “A new you arises,” Murphy said. “It
burns up and comes back to life. They need to and want to be ready.”
Using tools like Choosemyplate.gov and meditation, Murphy
helps her clients make better decisions and can also refer them to other
professionals if they need additional help.
Exercise classes will be offered starting February 29,
and are 45 minutes long. The classes are limited to four people and will work
on cardio, strength training, flexibility, core and balance. It will utilize various styles of workouts from
yoga to high intensity training. Each client wears a heart rate monitor during
the classes to make sure they are working in the correct target zone. “I don’t
want to make it miserable, but I want to push them,” Murphy said.
On Monday nights there is a small weight loss support
group at 6 p.m. at Phoenix Whole Health at Sedona Wellness Center. The
suggested donation is $8.
Personal training prices range from $25 per hour for a
semi-private half hour class to $55 per hour for a personal one hour private
class. All classes and trainings are in the evenings and on Saturday mornings.
PWH also offers motivational phone calls or online support weekly or less
frequently to help keep clients on track.
In the future, Murphy would like to create a PWH program
for school age children because chronic health issues are becoming more and
more prevalent in today’s youth.
PWH recognizes everyone is an individual and all have
different learning styles, circumstances and needs. Getting healthy for most
requires attention to more than just the physical side. Through one on one
consultation(s) PWH will develop a fitness team and individual fitness plan. Initial
consultations are.
PWH studio is located at Sedona Wellness, 1288 Roosevelt Trail
in Raymond. For more information, visit www.phoenixwholehealth.com or call 207-400-0948.
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