![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/donnna-after-240x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Donna after losing 60 pounds!<\/p><\/div>\n
POWER OF INFORMATION:
\nNutritionist Lois Berry came to HVO and provided Donna\u2019s wellness group with information about nutrition, exercise and diets. In that group Donna learned about the importance of eating protein, combining foods and adding fruits and vegetables. She also learned about portion sizes and the importance of hydration. She started integrating what she learned, slowly, one change at a time. \u201cI started experimenting with drinking water instead of soda, looking at new foods at the grocery store and reorganizing the kitchen. I started doing just one thing at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n
SMALL, SUSTAINABLE CHANGES:
\nDiet trends are often coming and going. One day it\u2019s high carbs, the next day it\u2019s no carbs, the next day it\u2019s a diet of strictly bananas! Most fad diets are not sustainable though, and neither are starvation or deprivation mindsets. They can result in binging and undernourishment. Donna made small changes and continues to eat things she loves, but has integrated new foods and new habits. For example: \u201cI used to skip breakfast, have only coffee in the morning. Then I learned about nutrition at the worksite wellness groups, so now I eat breakfast.\u201d Donna broke her pattern of going hungry all day, and started planning meals and snacks in advance, always starting the day with a protein-packed meal.<\/p>\n
POWER IN NUMBERS:
\nDonna utilized the support of group members when she began her health transformation. In the beginning of the group, it was helpful to check in with group members, to do weigh-ins during the group, and to report progress. \u201cSeeing numbers drop on the scale was huge. I could see that it was working.\u201d This gave her confidence that her efforts were paying off. Then she got to know group members, colleagues she worked with yet had never met. \u201cPassing a colleague in the hallway who is in the program, giving encouragement, noticing they bought a new shirt or perhaps the colors in the shirt they had on that day, those kinds of things give me joy and energy, everyone likes to be complimented now and again .\u201d Group members were also likely to go for a short walk through local trails or walkways after work, motivating each other along the way.<\/p>\n
DELICIOUS\/NUTRITIOUS FOODS:
\nDonna completely revamped her daily menu, adding new yummy foods, and continued to eat regularly all day. Eating all day kept her metabolism going and also provided vital nutrients and protein, which kept her energy up throughout the day. Here is one of her favorite new breakfast foods: \u201cI like to take a soft tortilla and make a wrap with turkey and pepper jack cheese. Sometimes I will also add some egg or egg white. It is incredible in a tomato basil wrap, just delicious!\u201d Donna added that eating healthy, small amounts all day is her key to avoiding after-work binges.<\/p>\n
BIG RESULTS:
\nThrough participation in the wellness programs, Donna lost over 60 pounds, going from a size 28 to a size 16. Buying a new wardrobe was fun, but the difference in how she feels is what really motivates her. \u201cIt\u2019s like I have endorphin lightning bolts shooting out of my brain,\u201d she said, explaining that her new energy level is \u201coff the roof,\u201d adding that now she is more outgoing, with a renewed passion for her job. She reaps rewards both big and small. \u201cThere are every day rewards, that keep me going,\u201d she said. For example \u201cNow when I get home from work I can get onto the floor, roll around, and play with my dog Sophie, instead of feeling confined to the chair. Also, my heart and arteries are in better shape,\u201d she said. Incredibly, due to her new healthy lifestyle, her doctor advised that she was able to stop taking both her cholesterol and blood pressure medication! She is saving money and her life.<\/p>\n
THE TEAM:
\nDonna utilized the support and skills from a team of people while changing her life. For example, she consulted with her doctor when she started working out. Due to her health issues she was not able to start directly at the gym. Instead she started the Step Program at Haywood Regional Hospital, a modified movement program. Under doctor supervision she was able to slowly transition to working with a personal trainer at the gym.<\/p>\n
As luck would have it, one of the Step Program trainers Donna worked with happened to become a health and fitness coordinator at the gym, so she was able to continue to work with him. \u201cFitness trainer Shawn Smathers, Health and Fitness Coordinator at Haywood Health and Fitness Center, was one of the people who has entered into my life, who is willing to aide & instruct me during my continuing journey! His knowledge & passion for fitness, enthusiasm and the daily reassurance from him & his team members was critical during my awesome journey to becoming happier and healthier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Working with Shawn, she started exercising regularly, exploring all different types of movements, from weight-lifting to treadmills to group exercise classes and walking. The respect and inspiration is mutual between Donna and Shawn. He had this to say about working with Donna: \u201cDonna Beaver is a trainer\u2019s-dream-client-come-true. She listens, she responds, she maintains momentum, she overcomes setbacks and redirects when needed. Her journey over the past year has been perhaps the most dramatic turnaround of an individual\u2019s physical and emotional wellbeing that I\u2019ve witnessed, in twenty years in the industry. [She] continues to surge forward with her own progress, and also motivates and brings up everyone around her. As her trainer and friend, it humbles me and honors me at the same time to even be mentioned as playing a part in her incredible transformation.\u201d<\/p>\n
NOW IS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME TO START:
\nShawn guided Donna when she had setbacks, and it is because of the setbacks that Donna is passionate about telling people that \u201ca lifestyle change is possible at any time.\u201d Donna broke her foot several months after starting the program, but did not let that dissuade her from her goals. Rather than give up, she took Shawn\u2019s suggestion to \u201cdo something different,\u201d and started swimming instead of doing weight-bearing activities. \u201cI started slow and built myself back up, after the injury,\u201d she said. She wants people to have the same \u201cendorphin lightning bolts\u201d that she experiences, no matter the barriers.<\/p>\n
WORKSITE WELLNESS PROGRAM:
\nThroughout Donna\u2019s work with trainers and her doctor, the worksite wellness group was a constant and vital place to share her progress with others and to continue to learn about how to meet and maintain her goals. \u201cIt saved my life,\u201d she said of her participation in the program. She continues her involvement with group members and will continue to participate in upcoming weight-loss challenges, inspiring others the same way she was inspired.<\/p>\n
IT Director at HVO and HVO\u2019s Wellness Committee member Nancy Warren said this about working with Donna and the wellness program: \u201cOur program has been an exciting journey for us as we enter our third year of promoting wellness at HVO. We call it wellness because it is not only about healthy eating and exercise; it is also about mental wellness. This is very evident in Donna\u2019s weight loss journey. The one thing that everyone has noticed is Donna\u2019s enthusiasm, excitement and commitment along with the weight she has lost. In Donna\u2019s case, you not only see that she physically has lost weight, you also see the energy she has gained by her beaming smile and her excitement about going to the gym. Seeing her transformation says you can do anything you set your mind to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nancy\u2019s tip for people who are starting a health program: \u201cBe realistic in your goals. Set small, realistic, attainable goals so that you don\u2019t overwhelm yourself. It is a journey, not a weekend trip and takes time. Small goals will ensure that you create a wellness lifestyle that is sustainable.\u201d<\/p>\n
ONGOING GROUPS:
\nDonna Beaver is one of many individuals who have accessed the information, skills and support of her worksite wellness program. The wellness programs improve quality of life for individuals and the community in general, while also reducing health care costs. Donna is thrilled to continue to participate in the program at her job, to share the knowledge and inspiration with others who want to reclaim their health.<\/p>\n
To find out how to start a program at your place of work contact: Nan Kramer, nan@mountainwise.org, Regional Community Health Coordinator with MountainWise.<\/p>\n
Stay tuned next week for another success profile, of an army veteran who used his love of numbers and data to change HIS life!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Written by: Angela Mucci Interest was piqued last month at the Haywood Worksite Wellness Council meeting, when attendee Nancy Warren highlighted the story of one woman\u2019s incredible transformation. While participating in her worksite wellness program Donna Beaver changed her health, her state of mind and her day to day life. Here is her amazing journey! […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"Interest was piqued at the Haywood Worksite Wellness Council meeting, when attendee Nancy Warren highlighted the story of one woman\u2019s incredible transformation. While participating in her worksite wellness program Donna Beaver changed her health, her state of mind and her day to day life. Here is her amazing journey!\r\nTHE BEGINNING:\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_3918\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/donna-group-photo-300x300.jpeg\")
<\/a> Donna Beaver, far right, before her weight loss journey began[\/caption]\r\n\r\nDonna Beaver knew she needed to make a change. Still in her forties, she was diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and morbid obesity. She was in the habit of starting the day with coffee and nothing else, then going all day without eating, until she got home. When she got home, starving, she did what most starving people do: eat unhealthy foods then repeat the pattern the following day, feeling tired throughout. \u201cWhen the worksite wellness program started meeting at work, I was ready to dive in,\u201d she said, \u201cand I knew I couldn\u2019t do it alone.\u201d\r\nWEIGHT-LOSS CHALLENGE GROUP:\r\nDonna heard about the worksite wellness program at a wellness fair. She learned that the program was going to start a\u201d weight loss challenge\u201d in the next few weeks, at her place of work. \u201cI work for Haywood Vocational Opportunities,\u201d she said, \u201cour mission is to work with people who have disabilities, to assist them in obtaining gainful employment opportunities--either at HVO, or with a longtime community partner.\u201d She knew she wanted to have support from other people, along with information about nutrition, so she joined the group.\r\nPOWER OF INFORMATION:\r\nHealth Educator Lois Berry came to HVO and provided Donna\u2019s wellness group with information about nutrition, exercise and diets. In that group Donna learned about the importance of eating protein, combining foods and adding fruits and vegetables. She also learned about portion sizes and the importance of hydration. She started integrating what she learned, slowly, one change at a time. \u201cI started experimenting with drinking water instead of soda, looking at new foods at the grocery store and reorganizing the kitchen. I started doing just one thing at a time.\u201d\r\nSMALL, SUSTAINABLE CHANGES:\r\nDiet trends are often coming and going. One day it\u2019s high carbs, the next day it\u2019s no carbs, the next day it\u2019s a diet of strictly bananas! Most fad diets are not sustainable though, and neither are starvation or deprivation mindsets. They can result in binging and undernourishment. Donna made small changes and continues to eat things she loves, but has integrated new foods and new habits. For example: \u201cI used to skip breakfast, have only coffee in the morning. Then I learned about nutrition at the worksite wellness groups, so now I eat breakfast.\u201d Donna broke her pattern of going hungry all day, and started planning meals and snacks in advance, always starting the day with a protein-packed meal.\r\nPOWER IN NUMBERS\r\nDonna utilized the support of group members when she began her health transformation. In the beginning of the group, it was helpful to check in with group members, to do weigh-ins during the group, and to report progress. \u201cSeeing numbers drop on the scale was huge. I could see that it was working.\u201d This gave her confidence that her efforts were paying off. Then she got to know group members, colleagues she worked with yet had never met. \u201cPassing a colleague in the hallway who is in the program, giving encouragement, noticing they bought a new shirt or perhaps the colors in the shirt they had on that day, those kinds of things give me joy and energy, everyone like to be complimented now and again .\u201d Group members were also likely to go for a short walk through local trails or walkways after work, motivating each other along the way.\r\nDELICIOUS\/NUTRITOUS FOODS:\r\nDonna completely revamped he daily menu, adding new yummy foods, and continued to eat regularly all day. Eating all day kept her metabolism going and also provided vital nutrients and protein, which kept her energy up throughout the day. Here is one of her favorite new breakfast foods: \u201cI like to take a soft tortilla and make a wrap with turkey and pepper jack cheese. Sometimes I will also add some egg or egg white. It is incredible in a tomato basil wrap, just delicious!\u201d Donna added that eating healthy, small amounts all day is her key to avoiding after-work binges.\r\nBIG RESULTS:\r\nThrough participation in the wellness programs, Donna lost over 60 pounds, going from a size 28 to a size 16. Buying a new wardrobe was fun, but the difference in how she feels is what really motivates her. \u201cIt\u2019s like I have endorphin lightning bolts shooting out of my brain,\u201d she said, explaining that her new energy level is \u201coff the roof,\u201d adding that now she is more outgoing, with a renewed passion for her job. She reaps rewards both big and small. \u201cThere are every day rewards, that keep me going,\u201d she said. For example \u201cNow when I get home from work I can now get into the floor, roll around, and play with my dog Sophie, instead of feeling confined to the chair. Also, my heart and arteries are in better shape,\u201d she said. Incredibly, due to her new healthy lifestyle, her doctor advised that she was able to stop taking both her cholesterol and blood pressure medication! She is saving money and her life.\r\n\r\nTHE TEAM :\r\nDonna utilized the support and skills from a team of people while changing her life. For example, she consulted with her doctor when she started working out. Due to her health issues she was not able to start directly at the gym. Instead she started the Step Program at Haywood Regional Hospital, a modified movement program. Under doctor supervision she was able to slowly transition to working with a personal trainer at the gym.\r\nAs luck would have it, one of the Step Program trainers Donna worked with happened to become a health and fitness coordinator at the gym, so she was able to continue to work with him. \u201cFitness trainer Shawn Smathers, Health and Fitness Coordinator at Haywood Health and Fitness Center, was one of the people who has entered into my life, who is willing to aide & instruct me during my continuing journey! His knowledge & passion for fitness, enthusiasm and the daily reassurance from him & his team members was critical during my awesome journey to becoming happier and healthier.\u201d\r\nWorking with Shawn, she started exercising regularly, exploring all different types of movements, from weight-lifting to treadmills to group exercise classes and walking. The respect and inspiration is mutual between Donna and Shawn. He had this to say about working with Donna: \u201cDonna Beaver is a trainer\u2019s-dream-client-come-true. She listens, she responds, she maintains momentum, she overcomes setbacks and redirects when needed. Her journey over the past year has been perhaps the most dramatic turnaround of an individual\u2019s physical and emotional wellbeing that I\u2019ve witnessed, in twenty years in the industry. [She] continues to surge forward with her own progress, and also motivates and brings up everyone around her. As her trainer and friend, it humbles me and honors me at the same time to even be mentioned as playing a part in her incredible transformation.\u201d\r\nNOW IS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME TO START\r\nShawn guided Donna when she had setbacks, and it is because of the setbacks that Donna is passionate about telling people that \u201ca lifestyle change is possible at any time.\u201d Donna broke her foot several months after starting the program, but did not let that dissuade her from her goals. Rather than give up, she took Shawn\u2019s suggestion to \u201cdo something different,\u201d and starting swimming instead of doing weight-bearing activities. \u201cI started slow and built myself back up, after the injury,\u201d she said. She wants people to have the same \u201cendorphin lightning bolts\u201d that she experiences, no matter the barriers.\r\n\r\nWORKSITE WELLNESS PROGRAM:\r\nThroughout Donna\u2019s work with trainers and her doctor, the worksite wellness group was a constant and vital place to share her progress with others and to continue to learn about how to meet and maintain her goals. \u201cIt saved my life,\u201d she said of her participation in the program. She continues her involvement with group members and will continue to participate in upcoming weight-loss challenges, inspiring others the same way she was inspired.\r\nIT Director at HVO and HVO\u2019s Wellness Committee member Nancy Warren said this about working with Donna and the wellness program: \u201cOur program has been an exciting journey for us as we enter our third year of promoting wellness at HVO. We call it wellness because it is not only about healthy eating and exercise; it is also about mental wellness. This is very evident in Donna\u2019s weight loss journey. The one thing that everyone has noticed is Donna\u2019s enthusiasm, excitement and commitment along with the weight she has lost. In Donna\u2019s case, you not only see that she physically has lost weight, you also see the energy she has gained by her beaming smile and her excitement about going to the gym. Seeing her transformation says you can do anything you set your mind to.\u201d\r\nNancy\u2019s tip for people who are starting a health program: \u201cBe realistic in your goals. Set small, realistic, attainable goals so that you don\u2019t overwhelm yourself. It is a journey, not a weekend trip and takes time. Small goals will ensure that you create a wellness lifestyle that is sustainable.\u201d\r\nONGOING GROUPS\r\nDonna Beaver is one of many individuals who have accessed the information, skills and support of her worksite wellness program. The wellness programs improve quality of life for individuals and the community in general, while also reducing health care costs. Donna is thrilled to continue to participate in the program at her job, to share the knowledge and inspiration with others who want to reclaim their health.\r\nTo find out how to start a program at your place of work contact:\r\nStay tuned next week for another success profile, of an army veteran who used his love of numbers and data to change HIS life!","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3917","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-active-living","category-haywood-county"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3917"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3917\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3965,"href":"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3917\/revisions\/3965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3917"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3917"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mountainwise.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/donna-group-photo.jpeg\")
<\/a>