Success Stories
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Downtown Social Services Group Loses 1,000 Pounds and More
Weight Watchers participants at the Virginia Department of Social Services in downtown Richmond know a lot about milestones. They’ve reached one already and are working toward another.
This past April, the group hit the 1,000-pound mark for weight loss! That’s a half ton since their at-work program, , recommended by the Health and Safety Committee, began in November 2007. Commitment is the group’s byword. The first 17-week session attracted 25 people, well before the Commonwealth began its partnership with Weight Watchers in 2008. Participation has continued at a level of 20 or more. Since their milestone in April, the group has lost almost 300 more pounds and is holding session 5 since the program’s inception.
“The people in the group take part for the support and camaraderie, not just to take off weight,” said Marcia Borton, the property and facilities manager who also serves as Weight Watchers coordinator. “They want to do something for their health, regardless of whether they are reimbursed or not.”
The Commonwealth’s program reimburses eligible employees 50 percent of the cost of Weight Watchers services.
DSS participants share healthy recipes and encourage each other outside of at-work meetings. Ms. Borton says many in the group report that they are no longer take medications, are moving better and have increased confidence in what they can accomplish.
What’s next? That DSS location will be moving to another building across 8th Street in the fall, so Ms. Borton plans to ask other building tenants to participate in at-work meetings. “Anything to keep going!” she said.
CommonHealth, Employee Support Made Weight Loss Possible
“As a 17-year employee of VDOT, I have taken advantage of CommonHealth programs consistently over the years. I joined the WeightWatchers program last January and as of last October had lost 30 pounds. Many of the CommonHealth programs helped contribute to my weight loss goal. The pedometer as well as the ‘Enjoy Eating’ programs were instrumental in my weight loss. The Lt. Governor’s physical activity and nutrition challenges were welcome programs and most helpful this past fall.
“I power walk twice a day at work during breaks and at least once daily on weekends. My physician was very pleased to be able to cut my blood pressure medication in half and was most complimentary of my health and lifestyle changes. I feel much better, have more energy and stamina and am able to devote more time to my first love, raising and showing English Springer Spaniels, including this year’s Westminster Dog Show in New York City.
“All of these changes would not have been possible without the help and encouragement of CommonHealth programs and most of all the support of the Commonwealth’s employees.
“Thank you to everyone who has or had a part in offering CommonHealth programs to State employees. A healthy employee is a happy employee who, ultimately, costs the state less in health benefits.
I’ve mastered loosing weight quiet a few times in my life, however, keeping it off is definitely a challenge! Now that I’m in my late 20’s (wink wink) it’s more important to get my weight under control and keep it off for the long haul. Back in 2005 my youngest son required surgery and was hospitalized for approximately 30 days. Within those 30 days of eating hospital food (fried and greasy) not exercising and going through a lot of stress, I gained 25 pounds real fast! Not to mention the extra pounds I already had put on.
I was rarely dissatisfied about myself because I loved to exercise. I figured I was pretty healthy because I could jog a few miles and cycle for long periods of time. However, I realized that exercising wasn’t the problem, eating was. When Weight Watchers was offered I thought na.. it would never work because I’m not for counting points or measuring anything.
Well to my surprise and 1 year later, I’m 72 pounds lighter, free from blood pressure medication and still counting points. Weight Watchers has definitely shown me that exercising alone isn’t enough. It’s about what you put into your body and how much. I have to say hats off to Weight Watchers for teaching me portion control.
I have completed two 13 week sessions and currently I’m in the middle of a third 13 week session. My final goal is to loose another 15 pounds.
Wendy G. Baker
Human Resource Analyst
Dept. of Housing & Community Development
I started Weight Watchers in February, 2007. Since then, I’ve lost 60 pounds, reducing my shirt size from XXL to M and shedding almost 10 inches from my waist. At my last physical, my BP was 124/73 and my cholesterol was 146. I’m running 5 miles every morning (6 days a week) and am gearing up to run in a half-marathon with my son in September. I just turned 58 and am on NO medications.
By the way, my 30th wedding anniversary is coming up in May. I’m proud to say that at my 30th anniversary, I will weigh the same as I did the day I got married.
Mark Monson
Deputy Director for Administration
Department of Health Professions
Before (not so) and After (healthy)
Eric J Smith, of VDOT in Northern Virginia, writes that “last year when the Commonwealth offered the Weight Watchers program, I joined. I lost a total of 65 pounds. I have been at my current weight of 190 pounds now for five months. I am still on the program and will remain on it. I just want to thank whoever offered this program.”
The following is from David L. Smith who works at Juvenile CSU in Harrisonburg/Rockingham County.
“As the Agency Coordinator for CommonHealth for the past decade, I want to share this story after having convinced myself to work hard and to get back in shape. As I approached age 60, I was convinced that I needed to reduce my health risk factors and to become a better role model for other employees in my district, as I prepare for retirement in several years.
For more than 20 years I had tried to stop using smokeless tobacco on many occasions. I used the CommonHealth quit patches kits the first two attempts, over several years, with initial success and then I relapsed. The third time was at my own expense and I was more determined than ever to quit and to remain tobacco free. I have not used tobacco since the last day of March, 2008, thanks to lots of determination and hundreds of sticks of sugarless gum, and I no longer have cravings. Since then I am proud to say I am tobacco free.
Also, more than three months ago I quit drinking alcohol. I have lost 25 lbs and continue losing weight. I try to walk 3-5 miles four days each week, do other exercises, and I am eating very little red meat and lots of fruits and vegetables.
I feel better then I have felt in 20 years and I feel years younger both physically and mentally. Even our Regional Coordinator, Sharon Buckner, continues to support and compliment me.
For anyone struggling with your own willpower - CommonHealth is there to help and the rewards are priceless!”
Videos are a ‘Great Tool’
“Working for an agency where the majority of the employees work out on the road or do not have computers/computer access, some of the programs have been difficult to plan and get participation. They either needed computer access or had to delay their work schedule in order to participate in a program. When CommonHealth started having the quarterly programs put in a different format on DVD/VHS, I knew we could increase participation at our office.
Each morning our employees have brief meetings before going out on the road. I am lucky as a coordinator to have wonderful Management and Supervisor support of the CommonHealth program. I just simply pass the video around to each area headquarter with a log sheet, and it is incorporated into the morning meeting. Everyone has been very willing to give it a try.
This has been a great tool to reach all of the employees in a convenient way and has increased our participation tremendously. I strongly urge CommonHealth to continue with the video program because I will continue to use it even when we have an on-site meeting for those that couldn’t attend. Thanks!”
Teresa Foley
VDOT Martinsville Residency
‘Thank you for Such an Important Program’
“I wanted to write and let you know what a difference CommonHealth and the [tobacco cessation] program has made in my life. I have been a smoker for 30 years – smoking since the age of 13. At some points I smoked up to two packs of cigarettes a day and the minimum I smoked was a little over a pack a day.
I enrolled in the…program and have been smoke-free since January 19, 2007. The supply of free patches and the constant support of the health coaches really made the difference in me being smoke-free today. I don’t know that I would have been able to stop without this program and the support I still receive from the coaches. During my transition into being smoke-free, my housemate decided if I was going to try, she would too. So, not only am I smoke-free today, she is as well.
Today, I feel better, smell better, breathe better, my allergies aren’t as bad, and I have a new outlook on life. I knew smoking was terrible for my health, but the addiction was so over powering. This program really gave me what I needed and I will be forever grateful for it. Thank you for providing such an important program. I know my future health will be much improved and I just can’t say it enough – thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Barbara Lawson
Virginia Commonwealth University
No More Gravy and Taters'
Through the “Plan It My Weigh” program, Carlton learned how to eat healthier. “No more ‘gravy and taters,” as he says. Carlton claims the loss of weight is due to a “total lifestyle change,” one where the most important things to him are what he eats, when he eats and how he eats.
He has now lost 249 pounds in the two years since he began his journey. He has made many healthy changes to his lifestyle to accomplish this, but he graciously credits CommonHealth for supporting and encouraging him throughout his journey. His wife and daughter have also lost significant weight as a result of his healthy new lifestyle.
Carlton has also gotten about 17 members of his church walking in a group on a regular basis. Carlton is truly a man who is making a difference in his own life – and the lives of his friends and family.
Carlton Mabe
Virginia Western Community College
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