My Wellness Journey

Roseanne Varga Walsh Elementary Kindergarten Teacher My Wellness Journey

I have been overweight most of my adult life and I often asked myself, for being such a smart woman, why was I not being smart about my health and my weight. I tried several diet programs that worked for a while and then I’d gain the weight back and more. This probably sounds like so many other diet stories-so what finally worked for me. While I was undergoing physical therapy for knee and back problems (not surprising when you’re 330 pounds!) my physical therapist recommended I try the same program several of his clients found great success with, the H.M.R. program at St. Josephs hospital. This is a medically supervised program where I started out with protein shakes and eventually reintroduced low calorie foods. I lost 130 pounds on this program and kept it off for several years and then last year joined again and lost 50 more pounds. Totally I’ve lost more than 180 pounds through diet and exercise. I am a very active walker, at least 30 minutes daily. I continue to follow a healthy, low-fat, low-salt diet. My lifestyle changes have affected my family. My husband has also lost over 100 pounds and is my walking partner. Having family support means we are all living healthier. I hope to see you sometime mall walking at Lakeside. It’s encouraging to see so many seniors choosing to exercise. We need to be a role model for our generation and the generation we are teaching.

• Morry Almacher
• Brian Vento

The Staywell Committee is including the "Wellness Journey" of our members. If you are interested in submitting your own personal wellness quest, submit the following information to: info@ueastaywell.org. Posted “My Wellness Journeys” will receive a $25 Gift Certificate.

Details:
• Each month the website will feature a different UEA member's Wellness Journey.
• Purpose is to provide encouragement and inspiration to others
• 2-3 paragraphs
• Possible information to include:

~ Goal(s) you established for yourself.

~ How you accomplished your goals.

~ Challenges you faced.

~ Helpful tips for others.

~ Future wellness goals
• Provide any photo that you feel comfortable including with your write-up

* Please keep in mind...wellness is a continuous journey for all of us.