Skinny JAX opens just in time for summer

With summertime rearing its head around the corner, many are starting to feel the heat of failed New Year’s resolutions and holiday indulgences. Bathing suit shopping can be fun for some, however, others wonder if medieval torture practices might feel like spa treatment in comparison. 

For those in the second category, Ponte Vedra resident Alyson Cannady thinks she might be able to lend a helping hand. 

Cannady recently opened Skinny JAX, a medical weight loss spa located in south Jacksonville Beach, along with board certified physician, Dr. Donald S. Freedman. The clinic offers customized weight loss programs, nutritional programs, medical grade supplements, metabolism enhancers, B-12 complex/Lipolean injections and prescription weight loss — all tailored to a client’s individual needs. The business is ultimately a plan that Cannady has been improving upon since she became interested in helping people lose those extra pounds over 25 years ago. 

“I grew up in a hair salon, so I feel comfortable in the beauty industry,” Cannady said. “I’ve always had a passion for being healthy. I grew up very active with dancing but after my pregnancy with my son, I became a Weight Watchers coach.”

Cannady said that her active lifestyle came to an abrupt halt with a rough pregnancy. She gained 65 pounds in six weeks and her hormones were out of control. Losing the post-pregnancy weight, which she refers to as “the battle of the bulge,” inspired her to help others do the same. After growing as a coach, she decided she wanted to build her own business. 

“I know it’s a pain counting calories and points,” Cannady said.  “I don’t have time for that. For some people it’s a great system, but I wanted to get to a place where food is your friend. It’s your fuel. I want to get you where you want to be, where you can go out to eat and have a life.”

In addition, Cannady said she wants to treat all aspects of beautification and self-esteem. After pregnancy and weight loss, many people have loose skin or have cellulite they can’t get rid of. For this, the clinic offers non-invasive skin tightening and wrinkle reduction treatments, called Venus Freeze and Venus Viva. 

The treatments help reduce visible acne scaring, wrinkles, cellulite and sagging. Cannady said these services don’t require down time and are completely painless. She regularly uses the equipment herself as an alternative to injections. 

“I hate pain, I’m the biggest baby,” Cannady joked. 

 Cannady said the difference between the non-invasive treatments is it, “doesn’t try to create something that’s not already there.” Things such as sun damage, scarring and sagging skin are sore points for many people, but they don’t have to choose between learning to live with them or inserting “foreign chemicals into your body.” Cannady believes that in-between those options are more “natural” alternatives. 

“There are a lot of factors with the aging process,” Cannady said. “Are you drinking enough water? Eating right? Are you treating your body like you should? Our body is no different than taking care of a car — you got to get it serviced and maintained. You can't just put junk in it.”

For more information or to book an appointment, email info@skinnyjax.com or call (904) 999-0977. The business is located at 1492 3rd St. South in Jacksonville Beach.