Well-Being

Department of Human Services

The beginning of the pandemic was difficult for me, as it was for many others. A few months before the pandemic began, I had finally gotten some traction with healthier habits. I was using a wellness app and going to the gym regularly and was losing weight. But when the pandemic started to impact Tennessee, my world turned upside down. I began working from home, and the workload and work stress were higher than ever. I was juggling my own schedule with my kids’ schedules as they were adjusting to virtual learning. My gym shut down and there was a lot of anxiety about leaving the house at all. I was worried the success I had seen with healthier habits would be lost because of the change in circumstances. So, I made the conscious decision to commit to continued healthy habits.

First, I continued using the app on my phone. It was easy to use and I had built-in accountability through my assigned coach. Plus, I was paying monthly for it, so I was committed to getting my money’s worth!

Second, I re-committed to running. My husband started running with me and we really encouraged each other. We ran several virtual races together, including his first half marathon! Then as the hot summer months started and my motivation waned, I started a “run streak.” My initial goal to was run every day from Memorial Day to July Fourth. I ran past that goal and set a new goal of Labor Day. Then I ran past that goal too, and ultimately ran more than 100 days in a row. I recently started a new run streak and want to break my previous record!

As a result of those two habits, I lost about 15 pounds. I wanted to keep the momentum going and added in a new habit: lifting weights. I purchased some basic home gym equipment: a set of dumbbells, resistance bands and a stability ball. Then I downloaded a fitness app from a local celebrity trainer. I started with her 30-day challenge. Because I paid for it, I was really committed to doing it. At the beginning, the workouts were nearly impossible. I had to take several breaks throughout and modify many of the exercises. But I stuck with it and loved seeing myself become stronger. I have since finished several challenges through the app and feel stronger than ever. (I can finally do push-ups on my toes now!)

Finally, I committed to adopting a few healthy habits to address stress and anxiety. I renewed a commitment to a yoga practice, which I had done on and off for years. Since I couldn’t go to a yoga studio, I began doing yoga at home. I started doing yoga on YouTube during my lunch breaks. (My dog even got in on the action!) When I can, I join an outdoor yoga class. Once the acupuncture studio reopened, I began regular acupuncture. These practices have really helped to ground me and manage stress and anxiety during this tumultuous time.

Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

As a teenager I began taking an active interest in my health. I developed an understanding and foundation for physical and mental wellness. By cutting down on my portion sizes, making healthier food choices and exercising (mostly walking and strength training), I lost 70 pounds. Through the years I have continued to make my health a priority. I have developed a love for many different exercises. I even taught spin class, weight training and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for many years. With both of my pregnancies I gained 78 pounds and lost all of the weight by eating healthy and exercising. I have been on my wellness journey for almost 20 years. I make healthy choices most of the time but also give myself leeway to not exercise as well as having “treats” (ice cream!) occasionally. Now that my husband and I have children, we are both working on helping them develop a foundational understanding about wellness. Our hope is that by instilling this from an early age they will both develop a personal responsibility and love for wellness.

Department of Military

In April 2018, I decided that I wanted to lose weight, eat healthy and exercise. I knew it would boost my morale and improve my outlook on life. I started to exercise, saw a nutritionist and began to slowly lose weight. I started to walk short distances and increased it to make sure I made 10,000 steps a day. My nutritionist guided me with healthy eating and showed me how to macro count so my body would metabolize in a healthy and achieving way. 

In August 2018, I started to have physical pain in my back. My doctor sent me to physical therapy. Because of disaster response in the past, and many injuries that went without being attended to, as of April 2019, I'm still in physical rehab. My Doctor of Physical Therapy and I are slowly working towards increasing beneficial exercise so I can achieve my goals and increase my physical well-being. 

I have now lost 40 pounds, and I will continue this journey for the rest of my life. I'm 47 years old. I have been told time and time again that women in their 40s have difficulty losing weight. This is true without exercise and help from a nutritionist, but I will say, and even promise, it is completely possible.

I am pictured here with Dr. Ryan Dulling, my physical therapist. He is the mastermind behind helping me get through my physical difficulties and helping me heal. This is a team effort with my regular physician, Dr. Dulling, my nutritionist and mental health support.