The New Well, a weight-loss and wellness center, recently opened downtown at 233 A St., Suite 206. The center is for women only. “When we empower women, we change families and women’s needs are specific and we want to provide an environment to address those needs,” said Julie Kokinakes Anderson, director of nutrition at The New Well. A new guest who walks into the center can expect a tour of the facility and a questionnaire about her habits, lifestyle and medical history. “It’s a lifestyle change,” said Nicole Jaeger, the center’s wellness manager. The first three days of the program is referred to as a fresh start. The member will follow a specific meal plan which Jaeger said retrains the body and boosts metabolism. Typical weight loss during this time will range from three to nine pounds. From there, participants move on to the healthy weight-loss portion of their individualized plan. “We guarantee results as long as the program is followed,” Jaeger said. The individual success of the program is based around four pillars of weight loss. “It’s a way of life,” Jaeger said. The first pillar is whole-food nutrition, which teaches participants to eat properly. This principle reinforces the fact there is no “magic pill” for weight loss. During the second step, one-on-one counseling takes place. Women focus on how they became overweight. They answer questions about past weight-loss attempts and their weight history. It becomes a personally revealing experience, according to Jaeger. “A box of Kleenex is probably the next step,” Jaeger said. “It does become an emotional experience … Most members are on the program 12-18 months.” Jaeger said this is a healthy length of time to reach the weight goal set mutually by the wellness consultant and the individual. The consultant will assist the participant for the duration of her membership, often making weekly calls to check in with the member and find about challenges or progress. The program’s third pillar is effective exercise. The center offers a 26-minute circuit workout. The circuit consists of 8 pieces of equipment. “The circuit assimilates swimming, [which is] a push-pull system,” Jaeger said. The fourth pillar is based around soothing relaxation. The New Well has an onsite spa, offering participants the opportunity to relax and reward themselves. One such spa treatment — a full-body massage that involves the woman wearing a body suit — is 200 times more beneficial than a hands-on massage, Jaeger said. “We make a huge, huge effort to celebrate success along the way,” Jaeger said. Whether it is a two-pound weight loss or achievement of a long-term goal, women can post their weight-loss successes on the “Good for you!” board. “It’s an individualized program, but there is a sense of community and you do see friendships form,” Jaeger said. She said losing weight can lead many women to feel better about themselves and give them confidence to venture into new areas of life they hadn’t before. “If you lose five pounds, you get a little more pep,” Jaeger said. The cost is comparable to most gym memberships, Jaeger said. Fees range on average between $60 and $100 per month. For more information, call (619) 501-WELL, or visit www.sddown town.thenewwell.com/.