Inner Light Wellness has helped local Lewiston company, Geiger, develop a comprehensive wellness program that has yielded very positive results. This month we are highlighting one of their employee’s success stories to show just how achievable a healthier lifestyle can be with support from workplace wellness programs.
My Personal Wellness Journey, by James A.
Prior to January 1st of this year, I was at about 255 pounds, mildly active, ate pretty much whatever I wanted, slept less than 6 hours per night and rarely drank water. I didn’t have any major health concerns, but I also wasn’t living my best life. After passively trying to make changes for years, I fully committed my mind to be dedicated to improving myself.
10 months later I am down 40 pounds to 215, extremely active, eat more moderately, sleep very well and am constantly hydrated. My goal is to lose another 16 pounds to get to 199.9!
Old Habits:
Unlimited soda drinking 500-1000 calories of sugar per day
Fast food, portion sizes, 20% “good” foods and 80% “bad” foods
Mild activity through golfing and the occasional basketball
5-6 hours of sleep on average, never sleeping through the night
New Habits:
No empty calories through sugary drinks, water almost exclusively
Limited fast food, much smaller portion sizes, around 60% “good” foods and 40% “bad” – still a work in progress
Extremely active, working out 4-5 days a week through basketball, running, yoga, weightlifting
7-8 hours of sleep on average, sleeping through the night very often
Overall, I am much stronger, lighter, and happier. I have fallen in love with drinking water and am stunned I went without it. (Did you know water is good for you?!) I also really enjoy exercising and finally understand a “runner’s high” and the feeling of being stretched, loose and rested, compared to tight and weak. I sleep much better now, coming into work brighter and happier, having more energy for my family, dogs, and after-work leisure. I still have a lot of work to do with eating and nutrition as this has been the hardest part for me, but I am dedicated and WILL get there.
You can only do all of these changes if you’re committed and dedicated to yourself, but support structures are incredibly important. I joined several accountability things here at Geiger, like weekly yoga, our Weight to Go wellness group with weekly weigh-ins, engaged in 5K races with Geiger employees, weightlifting with a coworker 3x a week, and many more Geiger benefits.
Through Geiger I’ve been able to work directly with Tisha as one of my main sources of motivation and accountability. She doesn’t pressure you or force you into decisions or habits, but she is a great support in my life through yoga, monthly one-on-one sessions, and a constant source of positivity and encouragement – as I make my daily decisions on my own. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I’d argue it takes a village to transform your health and wellbeing, too!
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Contact us today to learn how your company can achieve wellness success.