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When it comes to health and wellness, BWHers Barbara Ferreira and Yvonne Allen understand the power of small lifestyle changes, dedication and consistency.
Two years ago, Ferreira, a radiologic technologist in Mammography, joined a Biggest Loser contest among staff in her department. She has since shed 90 pounds through exercise, mindful eating and some healthy competition.
Allen, an admitting officer for Patient Access Services, decided that it was time to make a change around her 46th birthday in July 2011.
"I wanted to make myself a healthy person," said Allen, noting that her primary care physician had been concerned about her weight. "I wasn't going to join a gym, but I wanted to find out what I could do in one year's time. So I started walking."
During her morning commute from Roxbury Crossing, Allen began walking the second leg of her trip to BWH, which was a half-mile, instead of getting onto a second bus. She repeated this every day for several weeks, though she didn't see or feel any changes. But she forced herself to keep moving and set a weight loss goal of 10 to 30 pounds in a year.
One day, she noticed her clothes were a little looser. "Until then, I didn't realize I was losing weight," she said. "That's when I started understanding what 30 minutes of walking a day could accomplish. By Christmas, I had lost as much weight as I anticipated losing in a whole year."
This success gave her even more motivation to continue. She began listening to music and dancing as she cleaned. Her energy level and speed increased, and walking shifted from a laborious task to a peaceful activity that she looked forward to. By March, she had lost 80 pounds. Allen decided to extend her weight loss goal to 100 pounds by July.
"Around April, I had my first real bump in the road," said Allen. "It was the first time I thought I wouldn't make my goal, so it was time to step it up. I increased my effort by walking even more. I started loving these challenges and seeing them as feats I was conquering . . . with my feet," she added, laughing.
Allen lost a total of 103 pounds by her 47th birthday. She says it helped being around people who encouraged her.
Ferreira's formula for becoming healthier also involved surrounding herself with a supportive community. She sought the advice of a nutritionist and began going to the gym before work for group fitness classes.
"It was about finding something that worked for me-something I could stick with," she said.
Ferreira lost 30 pounds and won the first 12-week round of her department's Biggest Loser competition, which included confidential weekly weigh-ins and prizes. She and her colleagues have continued the competition, and the physicians in their department have kicked in generous prizes, including dinners and gift cards, as motivators.
In addition to losing 90 pounds total, Ferreira has run a 5K race and participated in a Warrior Dash, complete with obstacles like crawling through mud, leaping over fire and scaling walls.
"I never thought I could do those things," said Ferreira, who will undertake a four-hour bike spin-a-thon next month to benefit the American Diabetes Association. "Thinking about that keeps me going when I hit difficult patches."
If your department doesn't have its own Biggest Loser contest, BWH offers many programs to help employees as they work toward their fitness goals. For example, last year, BWH's Cardiovascular Wellness Service hosted a walking club competition, which included teams from Neurology, Pathology, Orthopedics and the Center for Community Health and Health Equity. The walking club culminated with recognition and prizes for the winning team, which logged a total of 1,749 miles during the summer. Now, many of those walkers have joined ClimbCorps, the new health and wellness service corps, for daily ClimbClub group stair climbs at BWH.
Whether you want to quit smoking, eat more healthfully, try a new fitness class or improve your health, there are groups and resources available at BWHPikeNotes.org/about/wellnessfair.
Have a health and wellness tip for fellow BWHers? Share it in the comments section -
3 Comments
These women are so inspiring! Keep up the good work!
I forgot to include my health and wellness tip: A full glass of water before and after every meal :)
I am 52, and for 4 years I have been biking to the Longwood Medical Area or 850 Boylston St. every day from Newton in the good weather. I also go to a pilates/yoga class 2 times a week. The biking is good because the commute is the same length as the train ride. I am over weight and was unable to lose weight until I made a few small dietary changes - 2% Milk to 1%, no sweetener in my tea (I was drinking 3 or 4 cups of tea w/honey and milk a day) and give up most desserts and junk food. In 2 months, after years of trying, I have lost 10 lbs and continue losing!!! Avoid sugar!!!!
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