Wellness
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| More Faces of Wellness | ||
Wellness Helps Another Employee Lose Weight! I always wanted to start weight watchers but didn't think I could afford to do so. Then CCF offered to pay for it so then it became free and gave me NO
I learned a whole new way of eating NOT dieting, just changing my way of life and looking at food. I had to become accountable and doing the at work made me become accountable. I am Happy to say that I have offically lost 36.6 lbs and met my first personal goal to be under 200#'s. I am now proud to say that I weigh 198.2#'s and still losing. My major personal goal is to be 135#'s with this CCF paid Weight Watcher's program I KNOW THIS WILL BE ACHIEVED!!!! Thank you Wellness.
Michelle Augustine LPN Occupational Health (after her weight loss above) Weight Watchers is available for free to any Cleveland Clinic EHP member. To learn more, visit the employee health plan website. See the original Faces of Wellness page. MORE FACES OF WELLNESS STORIES I was diagnosed with spinal osteoarthritis, along with other back problems in November of 2008. These problems resulted in debilitating back pain. It became so painful that I was afraid of getting out of bed to get moving for fear of how I would feel. With the guidance and direction of Drs. Khalaf and Mazanec of our Center for Spine Health a year later finds me feeling significantly better. I’m very grateful for the many services that are available, from acupuncture with Dr. Mazanec, Physical Therapy with Sylvia and Betsy as well as a visit to Dr. Tanya Edwards in our Center for Integrative Medicine was very helpful as I learned what supplements to take to combat the chronic back pain. Following the anti-inflammatory diet was another step in the right direction. I’m particularly grateful to be able to use our fantastic Employee Fitness Center at the main campus. - Jan Kodish, Dept of Immunology
I had a heart attack 18 months ago. After a period of feeling sorry for myself, I decided I needed to improve my life. I joined Weight Watchers at work offered at Westlake FHC. I have lost a total of 34 pounds. The Shape up an Go program gave me the kick start I needed to exercise. I lost a total of 7.5 pounds while participating. I exercise about 60 minutes a day and manage to walk between 1-2 miles. I worked hard for myself and my team. I did not want to let my team down. I need to buy some new clothes. Thanks for this program. I can't wait until it starts again. Karen Florjancic, RN, ONC, CNOR
Late in August of 2008 I was challenged with starting a new job at the Cleveland Clinic and my last year of nursing school simultaneously. I knew I needed to exercise and find time for myself along with maintaining a healthy balance in life. I was checking out some of the offerings of my new employer on the intranet and I found yoga. The most yoga I had ever tried was a VHS tape and I did not really get it. I gave it a try and it has been a very rewarding experience. I cannot describe the feeling of doing rooftop yoga at 7:00 a.m. Mary Ellen Ference Oncology Registry
I joined Weight Watchers through the employee health plan weight Nealie Houk Graduate Medical Education South Pointe Hospital
I used to eat very poorly. I put very little consideration into what I ate, or how I prepared my food. I got colds every 3 months, was always tired, and had a terrible body image. I joined an online weight loss and management service. I eat a balanced diet that includes more fish, vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. I am very aware of not only how I prepare food, but the program also gave me insight into how food is prepared in restaurants. I practice portion control. My exercise routine consists of strength training, cardio, and stretching. With all of the changes I made, I lost 25 pounds, going from a 14/16 and size XL to a 10/12 size M. I've maintained my weight loss within 5 pounds of my lowest weight since May, and I am very proud of my accomplishment! Becki Brown Cancer Center
After having 3 kids I went from 145lbs to 245lbs in four years,I was very frustrated for being overweight and It was nobody's fault but mine,I started working for the clinic in the Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, so I decided that I did not want to become one more on the statistics, I decided to drop pounds, I exercised and change my eating habits, I never had blood pressure problems or any serious health problems but I was super tired every day. I have dropped 100lbs and feel great. Perla Shaw
I started on a plan to lose 50 pounds. I knew that I needed to reduce my calories and also to exercise. I started with counting my calories each day and keeping my intake to 1200 calories. I also needed an exercise program. Since, I have never been athletic, this part was especially difficult for me. I knew that if I didn’t like my exercise the likelihood of my continuing it regularly wasn’t good. I decided to think back to my childhood since I believe that we are still those children inside. Was there any exercise activity that I enjoyed doing as a child? The only activity that I could think of was biking. I did enjoy riding my bike. But, it had been many years since I had biked and because of that I had to overcome a fear of falling. However, with persistence this has improved. Although, my husband Jeff could have been involved in almost any activity, he decided to join me in the biking. We work out together and even plan it into our vacations. We also bike indoors using trainers which convert our bikes into stationary bikes. By increasing the resistance on the trainer and building up through the gears, I have been able to gain more muscle, which is essential for weight loss. As of today, I have loss 50 pounds and my husband has loss over 20 pounds. I can't begin to describe how this has changed my life. Not only do I feel better, but I'm into clothes that I haven't worn for ten years. And, I am so appreciative of all my fellow employees at Subacute that have been so encouraging every step of the way. Diana Combs Health Information Coordinator Subacute
Six years ago my cardio was walking from the couch to the fridge and upper body exercises were lifting my Starbucks cup. I have to look at it with some humor. My wify (Cathy Henry MD - Head and Neck institute) decided it was time to get the bikes out of the garage. We started riding 10 15 miles on the towpath - and then she decided that she wanted to do a metric century (63 miles) for her birthday (2002). We did the flattest century in Ohio, the Hancock Horizontal Hundred in Findley, where the tallest hill is half way over a freeway overpass. It ended up as a miserable experience because we did not know what were doing with respect to nutrition, hydration and cycling techniques. A month later we received a postcard from Team in Training - where an option was to train and complete a 100 mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe, raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It was also around the time I had my physical and found to be overweight, hypertensive, hypercholesterolemic, borderline diabetic, so there were a lot of reasons to start getting active. In fast forward to 2007 ... My blood pressure is significantly better, my BMI is still improving, blood sugar is better, cholesterol is better, and I feel much better. Exercise is a part of my daily routine to the point where I - as a 54 year old - ran my first marathon (Cleveland), rode my bike around Lake Tahoe for the fifth year in a row, completed my first triathlon (Chicago), and rode my bike from Cleveland to Cincinnati in the Pan Ohio Hope Ride for the American Cancer Society and had fun doing all of the events and feel great about doing it as well as supporting good a good cause. My goals this year is to run the Cleveland Marathon, and hopefully the Marine Corps Marathon, riding around Lake Tahoe - more time on the bike, and some sprint (short distance) triathlons. However, I could not have done this without the support of my wife. The "buddy system" is vital - and my buddy happens to be my wife. Jan Frandsen Nurse Practitioner Hillcrest Hospital See an interview with Jan from the Cleveland Clinic employee newsletter, Innerpulse. I have always been heavy but never close to 300 pounds. I have had two children. So, over the years I gained a lot of weight that I never lost. Both of my parents died with strokes and diabetes. Also, high blood pressure runs in my family. I knew that if I didn't do something to lose the weight, I could go the same way. I have tried all kinds of diets that work for a little while but nothing permanent. I finally reached 264 pounds and I said the time is now to do or die. I met a nurse that works on the unit and she looked marvelous. I asked her what she had done to lose so much weight. She said she was going to boot camp and she was on a very strict diet. I said that's for me. I got the information and called them. I started on Oct 15, 2007 with my diet and exercised three times a week. Six months later, I was down 72 pounds. It has truly been a life changing experience and lifetime commitment. I followed their diet plan also I exercised there 3 days a week there, exactly 1 year to this day I lost 127lbs and I weigh 137lbs all my health issue have cleared up I couldnt be happier I find out one thing this year getting healthy is a life style change. changing your eating habits and exercising works together. you really must want to change and get healthy to achieve your goal. Fannie Hudson-Mcdaniel Rehabilitation Technician Physcial Medicine Rehabilitation
I am a Nurse Practitoner in our Vasculitis Center. I am also a mother of 2 and a competitive cyclist for the Solon Bicycle Race Team. I love just about everything about cycling. I ride several days per week and enjoy mountain biking and road cycling. My husband and I started riding several years back and he is my motivator! We ride in the morning time, usually starting at 5:30 am before the kids get up. When we do get outside, we are typically pulling our two girls in our Burley or bike carriers. For us, cycling is not an exercise, it is our way of life. Our network of friends loves to bike as much as we do! Most of our conversations are about races or new bikes! Our racing has taken us on many wonderful vacations. Which has included Georgia, Colorado, West Viginia and Vermont. I encourge anyone who can to ride! It is an excellent stress reliver and helps us stay fit and active, which is much needed to chase around my 3 year old and 18 month old! We hope to set a good example for our children on the importance of excercise and wellness. (name not submitted)
As I approached my fifties I felt I had to make some major changes in my life style. One year before my 50th birthday I started going to Curves. I had not exercised regularly before. 4 months before my 50th birthday I quit smoking (a pack a day for about 30 years!) After a year or so of curves I felt I needed a more strenuous exercise routine so I joined Jazzercise. Even with an exercise routine of 3-4 days a week I had gained weight from not smoking and from my chronic chocoholic problem and overactive fork! I went to weight watchers and was able to lose the 11 lbs I had gained. After a year my weight started to go back up again. I rejoined weight watchers and once again I lost the weight. So now here I am- 54 years old. I will be a non-smoker for 5 years in Oct. I exercise regularly. I am trying to eat a healthier diet. I am a weightwatchers lifetime member (always battling the call of chocolate). I feel good and I still fit into my clothes. Mary Bertin Quality and Patient Safety Institute / Infection Control
It was finally time and I was finally ready to be responsible for my health. No more excuses, no "I'll start tomorrow's", no "I'm too tired", no "my knees, back, shoulders... ache". I was going to end up crippled by the time I was 50 if I didn't do something. I want to say that I feel great! Or at least better. I started by doing the "Weigh to a Healthy Heart" program in Feb 2008. It had just the right level of support and excerise. I had at least 80 pounds to loose. I have lost 43 pounds so far by doing what my doctor always told me to do. Loose it slowly, change your lifestyle, get some excerise! A support system is also VERY important. It wasn't fast and it wasn't impossible. I still have a long road ahead but my goal is in sight. I'm living a much healthier life and I really do feel great! I actually feel my 46 years instead of feeling like I'm 80. Katherine Zimmerman Education Coordinator Allogen Laboratories
On Feburuary 10th 2008 I took my health serious. I was told to lose 20lbs because of being over weight. To date I have lost 43lbs. I joined a weight loss program boot camp type program. You are put on a low carb diet and you must work out at the facilty at least 3 times a week. you weigh in every week. My results have been very positive. I was 209lbs I am now 166lbs. I feel great look great. I owe all this to a woman name Gwen. my goal is to get down to 160lbs and contol it for the rest of my life I am very proud of myself and my goal. discipline and determination and knowing God wanted this for me. Michele Williams Pharmacy Technician
I joined a boot camp and lost almost 20 pounds. I try to watch carbs and eat more of fruits and veggies. I feel so much better about myself. I go to boot camp three days a week and I try to walk at the park atlease three days a week. I love it! Thank you.... Lesley Showers Clinical Tech
At 47 years old I am in very cardio good shape. I lift weights, do other types of strength training, do Martial Arts and work hard at my cardio. I also had a very good diet, and yet I was still overweight. Being a firm believer in the ELEM (eat less exercise more) nothing I did and no amount of dieting or exercising harder ever seemed to help. My Wife and I (learned) that the average American consumes 150 lbs of sugar a year. Slowly but surely we removed the sugar sources and pre-processed foods from our house and from our diet. Instead we began to purchase organic food. We still ate all of the same foods, but instead of the processed milk for instance we purchased organic milk. Same with eggs, butter and all forms of meat. We found many little surprises along the way such as the fact that organic milk holds a longer shelf life. The eggs and meat tasted far better without the steroids and preservatives. My wife and I both found that we started to lose a pound or a pound and a half a week. Over time that added up to a 25 pound weight loss (so far) for both of us. When you are doing all of the things that you should be doing and are making no progress, and then you make one change and see and feel the result it becomes hard to argue with. When people that know me stop me and ask me how I lost the weight I tell them I went to eating organic food. For some reason they seem to correlate organic with vegetarian. I am not a vegetarian; I eat meat just like anyone else. I do not eat less food than I ate before and I do not exercise any more than I use to exercise. I just eat organic. And I just avoid sugar in all of its forms. Brad McCrillis ESE 1 ITD
I participated in the Wellness Walk at the Beachwood Ambulatory Health Center. I was telling the coordinator about how I started walking the laps daily since the last Wellness Walk that they had a couple months ago and she encouraged me to write this story. I was unable to get away from work the last time to attend the lunchtime walk, but late in the afternoon I escaped long enough to follow the arrows that had been left up and I was so inspired by the energy it gave me, I have continued ever since going twice daily. During the midmorning and midafternoon when I'm starting to drag, I go for my walk and try to get in at least 2-3 laps each time. The first couple days my thighs were sore from taking the steps but gradually i have built up energy and strength and look forward to going. Even though I was already using my treadmill daily in the morning before coming to work, I have found doing the walk laps have increased my energy level, concentration and sometimes lifted my mood while I am here at work. It takes less than five minutes to do one lap and is at least 600 steps so has been great for the ShapeUpAndGo program also. I would like to thank whoever came up with the idea for the Wellness Walk at work and for taking the time to map out a track that is measurable. It has certainly motivated me and improved my overall health and outlook. Thank you. Judy Wimmer RN Beachwood Breast Center
Stories Submitted by Co-workers:
I am a member of Curves and recently have been working out with many Cleveland Clinic employees. There’s one member from the clinic that stands out from the rest; Lori Chamar. Lori works at main campus and has taken advantage of all programs offered to her through her insurance from the Cleveland Clinic. Lori joined Weight Watchers and Curves and has shown great success by losing close to 50 lbs since November of 2008. I just wanted to write a letter to tell you how wonderful this program is working for at least one of your employers and hoping that maybe one day you could and would pick her to be a spokesman’s for your department to share her success and to show other women how she has made a difference for herself. Sincerely, Kristine Wiess Guillermo Ortiz Blanco is a shining face of wellness. He has competed in several natural bodybuilding competitions and events, and has made a lifelong committment to wellness. He encourages his co-workers to make healthier food choices and sets an example by biking 6 miles each way to work. This is not my story, but the story of an amazing co-worker. Patrick Baker is an Occupational Therapist (Outpatient Rehab, Walker Center) who has lost over 100# with the help of Cleveland Clinic nutritional services. He is an encouragement for everyone around him! His attitude has been very positive, and his lifestyle changes have been remarkable. One of my co-workers, Edy Ocker, is a true Wellness inspiration! Edy, an outpatient Occupational Therapy Assistant (C-21), has quietly shed more than 60# in the past several months. It's been a spectacular transformation to watch; Edy exemplifies patience, persistence and determination, and is a picture of wellness. She never "preaches", but also never fails to offer words of encouragement to others who are seeking to change their habits and health. My co-wroker Sophia Czynzyski decided 4 months ago that she had had it with people asking her when she was "due" Sophia was a runner in high school and has done a few marathons in the last few years. At almost 180 lbs she decided it was time to take her weight issue seriously, so seriously she has lost 27 pounts in little less than 4 months. She has accomplished this by eating smarter and excercising, she runs 5 out of 7 days a week and does yoga once or twice a week. She has dropped at least 3 sizes and looks absolutely great, no more "when are you due questions" As her friend and co-worker I could not be more proud of her. She is a living example that if you put your mind to it, anything is possible. Kudos to Laura Jeffers, R.D., L.D.,M.ed., Ambulatory Nutrition Manager. She began her wellness journey in college by making lifestyle changes with focus on healthy diet and exercise. The results were a 50 pound weight loss and a healthier more energetic, confident life. She found the area of nutrition and exercise both facinating and rewarding which infuenced her career choice of Nutrition. During this transition time she also quit smoking and has been smoke free for 6 1/2 years. Laura's completion of 14 marathons in the past 8 years is an inspiration to us all! A lifestyle of wellness can truly pay off! Alana Callahan has used many of the Cleveland Clinic wellness initiatives to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The Pharmacy billing team hosted their own 'Biggest Looser' contest. Alana lost 22 lbs and was the 'Biggest Looser'. So far she has lost 41 lbs.! Alana completes her monthly HRA to keep her motivated, she has won several wonderful prizes and is able to monitor her success. She joined the Employee Fitness center and works out a couple nights a week. By taking advantage of many of the Cleveland Clinic initiatives, Alana feels great, and is leading a healthy lifestyle! I know a coworker that was overweight, for 1 year she went to a exercise (boot camp)even in snow storms.When family members brought us treats she never touched them (except only to smell them ). Her name is Francine Lesure, she works in G52 and has lost over 100 lbs. She is an inspiration to us all, just ask her.
My friend and co-worker Debbie Scheel, RN, Strongsville ASC is definately a positive role model for health and wellness. She decided, just over a year ago to commit to diet and exercise and lost over 40 pounds! She exercises daily- running and aerobic exercise. She has run in several local races- one being the Cleveland Clinic Nurse's run where she placed first for women in her age division! She also ran for the Cleveland Clinic team in the Race for the Cure in support of the patients that she has cared for with breast cancer. She is constantly motivating her co-workers with positive feedback for diet and exercise and certainly sets a fine example for all of us to follow. She constantly portrays a positive attitude for those around her. Paul Hartsel has used the Smoking Cessation program to successfully quit smoking. In addition, he has been eating healthy foods and working out regularly to lose weight, also quite successfully. I'm glad to see his progress in all these wellness endeavors. He has allowed me to share his wellness progress. Paul currently works in the Psychiatry department. I would like to nominate Sofia Dougherty because she is such a wonderful role model for healthy living. She is a positive role model for healthy living to all of us on H50. By trying new low fat recipes and sharing them with her co-workers,she has shown us that low fat, nutritious food is delicious and has affected our eating habits. She exercises regularly by doing Pilates and taking Ballet classes. Her lean, toned body makes her look much younger than she really is. She works and still manages to be very involved with her family. Her balanced, healthy lifestyle is also being passed along to her two beautiful daughters. Her daughters know how to eat healthy food and make positive choices , such as not smoking and exercising. Not an easy thing for teenagers to do. Sofia's example has made a difference in the lives of her co-workers, her family, and by passing along her healthy lifestyle to her daughters, she will continue to make a difference to many others.
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management program. I was determined to lose the excess weight I had gained over the previous 10 years. With small goals and consistent attendance at weekly Weight Watchers meetings, I have lost over 85 pounds. I recently achieved Lifetime Membership status with Weight Watchers and am finding success at making permanent changes to my lifestyle! The reimbursed expenses through the Weight Management Program are an extra bonus - the real incentive is better health and more confidence! |