Ed Haywood, manager of West-Town Nutrition, poses with a “candyman” tea on Tuesday.
Diana Panuncial
RACINE – Ed Haywood had been “little” all his life before developing some unhealthy habits.
Haywood moved to Racine from Arkansas about 14 years ago. He worked full-time at a local warehouse, doing 12-hour shifts six days a week. At his greatest age, he weighed about 240 pounds, “ate fast food all the time and worked long shifts”.
It wasn’t until last January that he decided he needed a change and went to Bonifide Nutrition in Downtown Racine. With the help of founder Thomas Hicks’ diet and drink options, Haywood had an initial weight loss of around 17 pounds.
Now he’s the manager of Bonifide’s second location, West-Town Nutrition, at 3501 16th St., where fans can find the same healthy and tasty offerings, perhaps closer to their neighborhood.
West Town held a soft opening in early September. It is now open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and closed on Sundays.
West-Town Nutrition, 3501 16th St., offers the same selection of specialty shakes and teas as Bonifide Nutrition. It is the second branch of Bonifide owned by founder Thomas Hicks.
West Town Diet
Stretch out
Hicks started thinking about expanding about a year after opening Bonifide, 409 Sixth St., and grew in popularity because it claimed to pack a 200-calorie meal into one shake. Hicks initially plans to open four Bonifide branches in the future; West Town is a hopeful stepping stone.
Locations Hicks is looking for potential locations include the North Side, near Four Mile Road, or perhaps Oak Creek and Pleasant Prairie.
“Downtown is a great place, but unless you are near this place you can’t go there,” said Hicks. “If there can be a McDonald’s on every corner that might not be the healthiest for you, why not have more locations?”
Haywood said they wanted to take something to the west side of town to reach the neighborhoods there.
“We’ve heard people say, ‘I’m glad we got a healthier choice,’ ‘I’m glad you finally have a second location outside of downtown,’ ‘It’s closer to my house,'” said Haywood.
West-Town Nutrition is located at 3501 16th St. at the corner of 16th and Arthur Streets.
Diana Panuncial
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Haywood said he went to Bonifide in early January and told Hicks he needed to lose some weight. His attempts to exercise and eat healthier diets did not produce the desired results; So he needed a “boost” to see further progress.
“I’ve been little all my life so I found it very uncomfortable when I put on 240 pounds. It was just a straight stomach and every time I leaned over or moved to the side, my stomach got in the way, ”said Haywood. “So I thought, ‘This doesn’t work. I have to do something different. ‘”
Hicks provided him with a 21-day Challenge Nutrition Plan through Herbalife, a company that offers a variety of wellness products, such as the powders Bonifide and West-Town use in their beverages.
Ed Haywood, manager of West-Town Nutrition, the second subsidiary of Bonifide Nutrition, conjures up tea on Tuesday.
Diana Panuncial
“To be honest, when I started I was like, ‘I don’t think it’s going to work. But I’ll try, ‘”said Haywood. Today, Haywood is a Herbalife Health and Wellness Coach himself and shares his success story with clients who come here.
Haywood’s favorite drinks include the banana-caramel shake, which tastes like banana pudding, and the butter-pecan shake, “because it reminds me of the ice cream my grandma used to eat”.
“It tastes just like your favorite dessert,” said Haywood of the drinks both shops sold; They are healthy alternatives that give customers their sweet solution.
Top in business
Hicks said Bonifide had seen a surge in business during the pandemic, likely due to the increased focus and concern of the public about their health and wellbeing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was a major source of stress for individuals, causing feelings of stress, isolation, loneliness and fear.
The CDC suggested healthy ways to deal with such feelings, including healthy, balanced meals; Exercise regularly; and in general to pay more attention to individual wellbeing.
Autumn also marks the start of the cold and flu season. This will keep you healthy in the colder months. Be sure to clean your home regularly as cold and flu viruses can survive on household surfaces for days. Just 30 minutes of exercise a day will keep your body healthy and reduce the risk of getting sick. It is important to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet during the cold and flu season. Throw away any expired medication and replenish it with fresh decongestants and pain relievers. It is also important that you have a supply of comfort foods and stimulating drinks in case you get sick. The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and over receive the annual flu shot
“Now that people are more aware of their health, we are seeing strong growth,” said Hicks.
Although the shakes and teas that made them popular are important, Hicks said he cares more about educating customers about healthier lives and better choices.
“That’s the point of everything we do,” said Hicks. “We don’t just sell cups of tea or shakes, we teach the process. … it is important to me how the person feels as a result (of the drinks). “
“If there can be a McDonald’s on every corner that might not be the healthiest for you, why not have more locations?”
Thomas Hicks
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