BELLEVILLE - A Belleville man has started a part-time business to help people lose weight and stay fit.
"I just want to help people because the obesity rates in this country are skyrocketing," said Jason A. Retherford, Herballife personal distributor and wellness coordinator.
Through the use of herbal supplements, moderate exercise and healthy eating, Retherford said anyone can lose weight and increase their energy level.
Retherford said he started to re-examine in his own health and well-being after his children were born.
"I have two little ones and you got to have energy to keep up with them," Retherford said.
For years, Retherford was an admitted coffee addict, sucking down caffeine in the morning for that boost to get him started with his day, but now he takes some herbal supplements instead, which he said boasts his energy level without the "crash" that comes from consuming too much coffee.
"I lost 12 pounds just in the first week ... a woman at my work lost 12 pounds in the first week also," Retherford said. "Results will vary ... it's not a magic pill."
Of the discipline that is needed for a person to succeed at losing weight, Retherford said, "You will get out of it, what you put into it."
Mifflin County Regional Police Officer Chad Brehman said that in the six weeks since he started taking the herbal supplements, he has lost nearly 30 pounds.
"You wouldn't think that drinking a milkshake would help you lose weight," Brehman said of the supplements. "It fills you up, and I have more energy to exercise."
In the past, Brehman tried other supplement milkshakes but they didn't seem to work.
"The other stuff tastes horrible, like chalk, this stuff isn't like that at all ... it is actually pretty good," Brehman said.
Brehman exercises routinely, tries to eat healthier foods, but is quick to point out that you don't have to give up your favorite foods to lose weight, which he still eats in addition to being healthy.
"If you put healthy things in your body, you get healthy results," Retherford said.
Brehman said the supplements he purchases from Retherford are affordable.
"I'm actually saving money, because I am not eating as much," he added.
Retherford said weight can affect many aspects of a person's health, from cardiovascular issues to increased risk of diabetes.
"I had high blood pressure, but now it is definitely down," Brehman said of the physical benefits he has noticed from his wellness routine.
One of things that Retherford would like to do is start some weight loss competitions at area businesses, with the winners collecting prizes from his business.
Retherford said he encourages people to contact him to if they want to set up a competition at their place of employment.
"I will walk people through it, I am always available," he said.
