by RENEE PATRICK Cascade Business News Feature Writer
Partners Doug Ritchie and Jim Prehoda opened Vitela Health of Central Oregon at the beginning of January in the plaza next to Cascade Lakes Brewery. With a passion for creating a healthier community, the two men brought the first commercial Bod Pod to Bend to provide the most accurate body composition measuring system available.
What this team is doing for the first time however, is using the data to provide a tailored coaching program to improve client health, energy levels and weight-loss.
What does the Bod Pod do and how? Similar in principle to underwater weighing but far more accurate, the Pod determines body composition by calculating density using a very precise scale (mass) and air pressure (volume). With complex equations, the Bod Pod induces small volume changes to measure the pressure response to the volume changes; one rarely feels the small changes in pressure as it operates.
The whole process only takes a few minutes and once the overall density of the body is determined, the relative proportions of body fat and lean body mass are calculated.
Ritchie and Prehoda then measure the client’s resting metabolic rate using high-tech equipment. The measuring system is based on the human body consuming a fixed amount of oxygen for each calorie burned. The instrument records the oxygen-consumption rate and calculates the metabolic rate, or the exact amount of calories burned each day. The target caloric zone can then be calculated to find out the maximum amount of food the client can eat to maintain or begin a plan to lose weight.
While the combination Bod Pod and metabolism testing can be done once for $99, Prehoda stated that coaching can make a huge difference in those who need an extra step of accountability to get healthier. Both men are trained coaches and can help clients understand the numbers and help create a custom tailored and manageable plan.
The coaching is free, with complementary consolations offered. With different packages available, testing is done periodically and can provide a unique way of watching body fat disappear without loss of lean mass; many clients actually reduce body fat to healthy levels while lean muscle mass increases.
“There are many Vitela Health coaches in Central Oregon, but they don’t have the measurement tools we have,” said Ritchie. “Without the measurement tools your major tool is the scale in the bathroom.” The men want to provide testing to compliment the coaching assistance of the others in the area.
The third element to the Vitela Health business (after testing and coaching) revolves around helping clients to lose weight by using a clinical food program. While Ritchie and Prehoda offer a portion-controlled, nutritionally balanced and low-fat program, they plan to partner with local health practitioners to better meet the needs of their clients. If the clinical food program isn’t right for a client, they will work with them and a nutritionist, herbalist or others to assist that client find the right fit for the maintenance stage of the program.
Both men have succeeded on the plan themselves, and have watched their weight and health issues (high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes) dramatically improve. Prehoda says he has never felt better and finds his increased energy levels to be one of the most remarkable things about making the choice to change his life.
Ritchie first heard about the Bod Pod and Vitela Health program from his brother in Vancouver, Washington who had lost over 60 pounds. Heading up to explore the system, he was convinced the Bod Pod would be popular in Bend, and after starting on the program, lost 65 pounds. Prehoda began the program last July and has lost 45 pounds to date. “You cannot fail unless you cheat,” he said. “If we have done our job by teaching clients better habits for health, they will be better prepared.”
Vitela Health of Central Oregon wants to partner with employers in the region who are interested in helping their employees get started on the path to better health. The Bod Pod is portable and the duo has also begun partnering with different health clubs to offer use of the system. Ritchie and Prehoda are optimistic about the future of the business and have a goal of opening an office in Jefferson and Crook counties with the potential to add up to five staff by next year.
Having detailed data is not only valuable to those needing to lose weight, but for the truly fit individuals. Bend has many professional athletes, and since an ounce of body fat can have a dramatic impact on performance, athletes will be able to understand how their bodies work like never before.
“We are all about developing stories,” said Ritchie. “A story comes from a person that has used this data to change their lives for the better – much better. A better health outcome is the real target of Vitela Health.”
Sign up for a free consultation at www.vitelahealthco.com, info@vitelahealthco.com, 541-247-9077, 1441 Chandler Avenue 101, Cascades Lakes Plaza.
