A new business officially opened here Saturday that offers new hope for those frustrated with the yo-yo results of conventional dieting.
The Herbal Magic weight loss and nutrition centre, located in the Senic River Mall on Second Street East here, has 270 franchises across Canada and recently has begun to expand into the United States.
Started in London, Ont. in 1996, Herbal Magic claims to offer a unique approach to weight management—one that takes a holistic, or whole-person, approach.
“We offer a full weight-loss program,” said manager Karen Redden. “In addition to books on nutrition, we have a line of supplements and also provide counselling.”
Redden opened her first franchise in Kenora in September and saw the opportunity to expand here in Borderland. It turns out, she was her own first client.
“I opened the centre in Kenora because I wanted to lose weight,” she noted.
Since then, she has dropped 50 pounds and is on track to reach her goal of losing another 30. She is her own best advertising.
“I looked into different programs and liked this one,” she remarked.
So, what’s so different about Herbal Magic? For one thing, the results speak for themselves, Redden said, adding she guarantees you will lose two-seven pounds a week.
Not only that, once you get it off, you’ll keep it off.
“Our stabilization and maintenance program is why we are so successful,” she remarked.
“Research has shown that when people diet, 95 percent of them put the weight back on in six months,” Redden noted. “With our program, the rate is only about five percent.”
The reason for the success, she said, is because Herbal Magic is about more than just food. It also sells a line of nutritional supplements that help to adjust and regulate the body’s functions, speed up the metabolizing of calories, and regulate blood sugar levels.
The supplements are manufactured in the United States by the pharmaceutical company Douglas Laboratories and meet all federal standards.
Furthermore, the store offers some handy tips on cooking, said Redden.
“Part of the problem is many people don’t know how to prepare a nutritious, well-balanced meal on short notice,” she observed. “So they pick up something frozen at the supermarket to save time.”
There are other factors, too—emotional factors.
“A lot of people are comfort eaters. They turn to food because they’re unhappy. That’s why we offer counselling, as well,” Redden said.
Herbal Magic has a doctor on call full-time to answer any questions and assess risk factors. In fact, Redden recommends that everyone see a doctor before embarking on her program.
There are certain pre-existing health conditions that could be complicated by the supplements. Those with a history of stroke, heart attack, or diabetes, for instance, would need to be cleared by a physician before taking the program.
Redden said one of the attractive aspects of the program is you don’t need to go on an exercise program to lose weight, although some people find they have more energy and choose to do so.
Again, Redden stressed the importance of checking with a physician before embarking on an ambitious exercise regime—especially if you have been sedentary for a long time.
One person who couldn’t wait for the business to open was Josie Patrick of Fort Frances.
Patrick saw Redden bringing in supplies a few weeks ago and struck up a conversation. When she learned what the store was about, she begged Redden to let her get started right away.
Over the next two weeks, Patrick lost 14 pounds and now swears by the system.
“It’s an awesome program,” she enthused. “It’s given me control of me. It’s a lifestyle, not a diet.”
Herbal Magic addresses more than just weight loss and management. It also markets a product called Formula 36-C, which is supposed to increase bust size without increasing the size of other body parts.
“It [Formula 36-C] specifically targets receptors found only in the breast tissue,” Redden claimed.
There even is a product called Vigor, which promotes natural male enhancement and performance.
Herbal Magic is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
