On June 4, 2009, Kimmie Daniel, radiological technologist, Fostoria Community Hospital, threw a graduation party for her daughter. Later, when she saw the photos of herself from that day, Kimmie realized it was time to get healthy. At the time, Kimmie weighed 230 pounds and was a size 16.
She wanted to improve her health and did research before starting her wellness plan. Kimmie decided to limit her diet to natural, fiber-rich foods and foods that balanced her diet. She also began to exercise by walking every day.
Now she eats mostly fruits and vegetables with lean meat and other food groups, like a serving of cheese or yogurt, to ensure that she gets proper daily nutrition. It took three months for Kimmie’s hard work to pay off—she lost 85 lbs.
“My plan was nothing fancy or special. I wanted to lose weight and look good—not be skinny, just healthy,” Kimmie says. “For me, it was an easy choice—cut out the fake foods and exercise. Now I don’t even crave the sugars and fats, and it’s amazing how great I feel!”
Kimmie’s exercise regimen started small, and the more she walked, the further she could go. By September, she was walking five miles a day. By December, she was keeping up with her daughter, running five miles a day, five days a week.
Kimmie credits ProMedica Employee Wellness Program activities with keeping her motivated. “ProMedica Employee Wellness continuously sends out information. It’s a constant reminder to be healthy,” Kimmie says. “It’s been the greatest thing for me.
“The Healthy Eating Challenge gave me new ideas,” continues Kimmie. “The programs have tips and recipes, and it’s right there for everyone.”
Kimmie’s Tips To Get Healthy
Do Your Research: Take time to learn which foods are healthy, high in fiber and complete a balanced diet. Check out the “Employee Wellness” section of myProMedica (http://my.promedica.org) for nutrition information and upcoming programs.
Eat a Natural, Balanced Diet: Skip items with preservatives, high sodium and unnatural sugars. If you have a craving for sweets, grab some fruit instead. Cut out excess fats, sugars and empty calories. Try new fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and healthy snack combinations to vary your food intake and prevent monotony in your diet. Give up soda pop; stick to water instead.
Eat Often and Increase Your Fiber: Eat small meals throughout the day, and eat primarily fruits and vegetables. Also, eat more fiber. It fills you up, decreases feelings of hunger, and satisfies cravings for fats and sugar.
When Eating Out, Order Carefully: If you choose to eat out, stick to grilled or broiled lean meats; salads with no cheese, no croutons and light dressing; or split your meal with a friend or family member.
Exercise Regularly: This is one of the most important parts of any wellness regimen, and it can cost you nothing but your excess fat. Start small and inexpensively by walking outside.
Reward Yourself: Buy yourself a gift or allow yourself a non-food indulgence as a reward for sticking to your healthy eating plan, exercising and keeping the weight off.
The Lose Healthy Challenge is the ProMedica Employee Wellness Program’s most recent offering. Employees are working together to lose weight in a safe, healthy way with each other’s support. The team-based program lasts eight weeks, during which each team member commits to a healthy weight loss goal of 5 or 10 pounds. If each member achieves his or her goal, the team is entered in a drawing on March 22 to win iPod shuffles, JumpSnap® ropeless jump ropes or heart rate monitor watches.
“The program helps participants establish realistic goals. Sometimes, just losing 5 or 10 pounds will really improve your health—lowering your blood pressure, for example,” says Laura Ritzler, RN, director, ProMedica Total Wellness, and ProMedica Employee Wellness Council member. “It also helps participants develop healthy habits and maintain those changes—like getting physically active and eating right.”
After the challenge ends, individuals who maintain their weight loss or lose more after final weigh-ins the week of March 15 will be entered into a drawing to be held in June for a 32-inch flat screen TV with DVD player and exercise DVD, or a one-year membership to a local gym/fitness center.
“Two out of every three people across the nation are overweight or obese,” Laura says. “We want to offer fun, supportive wellness programs to provide tools, resources, motivation, and competition to help employees lose weight and improve their health and wellness. The program helps participants take baby steps toward long-lasting results.”
For more information about the ProMedica Employee Wellness Program, visit the “Employee Wellness” section of myProMedica.
When Rachelle Sweet, a group exercise and outreach coordinator at The Fitness Connection in Tecumseh, was crowned the current Miss Washtenaw, she earned a spot to compete in the 2010 Miss Michigan Pageant, June 15 – 19 in Muskegon. Although she didn’t take the crown this time, the pageant offered Rachelle another opportunity to advance her efforts to prevent childhood obesity.
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