What inspired you to adopt a healthier lifestyle?

“I have not always been a heavy-set person. But as I grew up, so did my food intake. I was more active when I was younger, but as I grew into adulthood so did my pants size. Of course every New Year I would make a resolution to get into shape but it never took.

What made me finally stop and say, “I need to make a change,” was when – on one of my health kicks – I weighed myself at 300 pounds. That started a slight change in my eating habits, but I was still in the high 290s. I felt ok because at least I wasn’t 300 pounds.

Then came a trip to Disneyland for my 30th. In order to get into a little better shape I participated in my work’s MesaWellness360 (sponsored by Sonic Boom). It required at least 7500 steps or 60 mins of activity each day. This did help me drop a few pounds but I really did not change my eating habits. Then my friend dropped 3 words, Walt Disney World. This is what propped a proper lifestyle change.”

Have you tried other things in the past that did or did not work for you? What was it about “this time” that helped you stick with it?

“In the past I have tried Weight Watchers and Atkins, and I did lose weight but I did not keep it off. I also did not have a lot “sticking power” at these time. I would get sick of the dieting and go back to old habits: eating what I wanted when I wanted. Even if it was 3am.

I think what made this lifestyle change stick was being held accountable.

My friend and I banded together and we meal planned for the week. I made sure to get at least 7,500 steps a day along with a Jillian Micheals work out every day and maybe adding a Leslie Swanson Walk at Home video. I watched my soda intake and I signed up to get a Health and Wellness Coach (through our MesaWellness360, sponsored by Sonic Boom program).

Coach Miriam and I would set little goals, like getting steps for a certain number of days during the week, drinking so much water, looking up recipes, looking at gyms, etc. I will say being held accountable by my coach and friend helped me stay motivated and keep going. Coach Miriam also made a profound comment that helps me not feel so bad when I take a day and don’t eat well. She likened eating right to a long distance car trip, “You would not drive cross country without taking any breaks.” So when I do “take a break” from healthy eating I just have to make sure that I get back on the horse the next day.”

What’s your favorite activity or challenge within the Sonic Boom program?

“I don’t have a real favorite activity or challenge with the Sonic Boom program. I like the daily challenges, and the fact that they have modifications to them. The coaching program is awesome, you get a coach that can help you start to get your weight loss goals on track.”

If you’ve experienced weight-loss, how much have you lost and over what period of time?  (If you’d feel more comfortable, you can choose to share percentage of weight reduction instead of pounds.)

“Over a period of 7 months I have lost more than 40 pounds. This is slowly inching me to being in a healthy weight range instead of being obese. I do have more energy than I used to, and because of this lifestyle change, I notice what I eat and am more aware of what’s in my food. I also feel more confidence in my appearance.”

If there was something I could tell coworkers, it would be:

• It is easier to change if you have buddy to help keep you accountable.
• Talk with others see what recipes they use or if they have recommendations.
• You may have days where you don’t reach all your goals but that is okay, tomorrow you can do better.
• Meal prepping may be a little time consuming but it is worth it. I know what I am eating and when I am eating it.
• Recording what you eat is also something that is important, it makes you really think “Do I really want to eat that cookie?”