Be Healthy wants to help you make healthier lifestyle choices in 2013. The Be Healthy Mentors, all members of the Bayhealth community, are great resources. Each month, we will profile several mentors. We’re betting that someone on this list is the right person to help you meet your goals this year. All mentors can be reached via Bayhealth email.
This month, we feature Brittany Newman, Lifestyles Fitness Center; Dave Neisser, Central Service Building Supervisor; Adrianne Johnston, RN, nurse on 1A at Kent General.
All three mentors agree that food plays a major role in maintaining a healthy weight. Neisser, Newman, and Johnston plan ahead and bring small, easy-to-eat meals to consume every 2-3 hours while at work.
Items such as Greek yogurt and granola, low-fat cottage cheese with fruit, canned tuna with salad, and oatmeal with bananas and peanut butter all provide enough protein and carbs to feel satisfied.
“If I’m starving, it’s easier to tell myself that fried food or miniburgers are ok,” Johnston explains. “But if I eat tasty meals that make me feel full, I can stay on track.”
The mentors believe that eating more often prevents excessive hunger, a feeling that can lead to binge eating or impulsive food decisions. Johnston works the night shift, and Neisser arrives at work by 5:00 am, so both must create meal schedules that may not correspond to common breakfast, lunch, and dinner routines.
Neisser uses an online calorie counter to track his daily food intake. After undergoing lap-band surgery with Dr. Thomas Barnett, of Surgical Associates, PA, in February 2012, he has lost 65 pounds and hopes to shed even more. Combining healthy food choices with cardio workouts on the treadmill and elliptical machine has proven successful for him.
Each mentor admits that finding time to exercise can be challenging, but having workout buddies keeps them accountable. Newman, who is working towards certification as a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer, currently takes three classes on top of her full-time work schedule. In 2012, she and a friend, Summer Sheffield, RN, decided to run five half-marathons.
“Having a partner made those races possible,” Newman said. “Together, we achieved our goals.” This year, Newman hopes to improve her swimming ability so that she can one day attempt a triathlon.
In addition to an exercise partner, Johnston believes that a fitness role model can provide positive inspiration. Her grandparents, who go to the gym regularly and maintain an active lifestyle, motivate her to follow in their footsteps.