CEO Diets

When Alfred Sanchez, head of the YMCA of Greater Miami, was about to launch an employee fitness program called “Healthy Lives Under Construction,” he decided he would have to “walk the walk and talk the talk” to lead the program successfully.

Alfred Sanchez in a spinning class [Photo: Joshua Prezant]

Sanchez has struggled with weight all his life, dieting to shed pounds, but then ballooning back up. South Beach, Atkins, you name it, he had tried them all and dreaded the prospect of another diet challenge. But by starting with nutrition first and taking a hard look at the portions he ate, Sanchez and his family “literally changed our approach to food.” He says they learned to measure what they ate, eating less but more frequently so they never felt hungry. Not having to forego a glass of wine with dinner or a piece of cake at an office party meant Sanchez didn’t feel restricted or that he was missing out. It made it much easier to stay on the new healthy eating regimen.

Says Sanchez: “Americans don’t understand portion control.”

Alfred Sanchez
president/CEO, Miami-Dade YMCA

Age: 50
Height: 5-foot-10
Before: 236 pounds
After: 170 pounds
Lost: 66 pounds
At weigh-in: Cholesterol: 306; blood sugar 110-115; taking medication for both.
After weight loss: Off his cholesterol and blood sugar medications.
How he did it: Portion control; more meals a day; four months into his weight-loss program, he began exercising. Now takes a spin cycling class six times a week. “I’ve become a fanatical spinner.”

Spam Blocker

Michael Murdoch has spent the last 10 years starting companies and watching them grow — along with his waistline. “It’s hard to focus on your own health when you run a company,” says Murdoch, who currently heads AppRiver, a $20-million company that blocks spam and viruses for 35,000 customers worldwide.

Michael Murdoch [Photo: Ray Stanyard]

Murdoch chose Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa after polling other executives and researching places like Canyon Ranch and Duke Medical. He decided south Florida couldn’t be beat in the winter. At Pritikin, Murdoch spent an intensive two weeks following daily exercise routines, attending lectures by the medical staff, nutritionists and trainers and learning a healthy-eating routine that focused on fruits, vegetables, seafood and chicken and cut out salt, sugar and fat. “It helped jump-start new exercise and eating habits.”

Michael Murdoch
CEO, AppRiver, Gulf Breeze

Age: 45
Height: 6 feet
Before: 200 pounds
After: 188 pounds
Lost: 12 pounds; wants to lose 10 more.
Method: Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Turnberry Isles, Aventura. Murdoch has been twice and would like to go annually for a tune-up.
Epiphany: He took a food label-reading class at Pritikin and learned processed foods are the enemy — too much sodium, fat and sugar. “A lot of stuff is marketed as healthy. They can put anything on that box. You have to look at the ingredients and read the fine print.”
Diet buster: Pepperoni pizza and a cold beer. “I’ll treat myself once or twice a month.”
Diet saver: “I keep a bowl of fresh fruit on my desk at work.”

Fat-Blaster Vacations

Bella Vita Retreat and Bella Boot Camp
Pompano Beach

Rates: Guests stay at the Ocean Sands Resort & Spa. Rates start at $1,180 for two-night stay, up to $4,650 for a two-week private weight-loss program.

Program: Boot camp-style fitness program. Offerings for men and couples, but most clients are women.

Information: tcmwell.com

Xtreme Boot Camp
Atlantic Beach

Rates: From $1,995 to $3,295 a week, depending on the program.

Program: Physician-run; nutritionist, certified chef and trainers on staff. Works in conjunction with Marriott’s five-star Sawgrass Spa at Tournament Players Club (TPC).

Information: tcmwell.com

Getaway Fitness participants jog along the beach near the Don CeSar Beach Resort.

Getaway Fitness

Rates: A four-night stay starts at $1,995; six-night stays begin at $2,695.

Program: The company contracts with luxury destinations and provides fitness vacations and private and corporate retreats combining weight loss, exercise and nutrition. The Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Petersburg is its Florida venue. Typical clients are from 30 to early 50s, both men and women. Certified trainers on staff.

Information: tcmwell.com