three years later BY NANCY RIDGLEY
Nancy Ridgley, RD, LD, CDE, is a registered and licensed dietitian, certified diabetes educator, a Mad Dogg-certified spinning instructor and director of community wellness at Cox Monett Hospital. She also holds certifications in adult weight management and childhood and adolescent weight management. The mother of three enjoys spinning, reading, Mizzou football, travel, spending time with children and extended family and having coffee with friends. For more information about wellness and living a healthy lifestyle, check out Cox Monett Hospital’s wellness blog at www.realwellnessforrealpeople.blogspot.com.
“I was telling my kids to eat healthy, but mom wasn’t,” said Jodi. “I decided that if I wanted to help them, I had to live it myself in order for them to do it. “Journeys was overwhelming and scary at first. I was afraid something bad would happen to me. I was scared to exercise. I had not purposefully exercised in 20 years. “My family was, and still is, very supportive. My kids, husband, brothers and sister-in-law were there for me. My husband has now started walking with me and has lost 70 pounds in just the past three months.” I asked Jodi to explain how her life has changed as a result of her weight loss. “I am happier and more outgoing. People said I used to be quiet and timid, but not anymore. I never sit down, not at home or work. Before I always had to sit now I don’t have to. I know I Put your mind to it, have a good down, can keep going, and I feel good. support system, and you can do it The other day I went running down the hall at work and another nurse too. I am living proof! was surprised I was running . . . I said ‘YES, I can run now.’” Jodi says she stays active by walking as much as she can outdoors. “I also dance around the house and do silly stuff while cleaning to make myself move more.” When asked about her eating habits now, Jodi answered, “I try to stay within 1,200 calories per day. I still have a great appetite but continue to make the right food choices. It is easier now, but food is still a temptation. It is all how you react to that temptation. I splurge now and then on a cookie or something else, but I have learned portion control.” How did the Journeys weight management program help Jodi? “Journeys provided me with the support I needed away from home. No one ever made me feel self-conscious. Brad (Ridenour)’s behavior change classes helped a lot. I had heard it before, but it finally ‘clicked.’” Jodi says that “Journeys” saved her life. She wants others to know that it can be done.
It has been three years since Jodi Curry started the “Journeys” weight management program in September 2009. Jodi and I met several times each week for 18 months at Cox Monett Hospital. After a very successful weight loss, Jodi was ready to take off on her own. She has maintained her weight ever since. Jodi has lost 147 pounds and is in a very good place in her life. I spoke with Jodi, and here is how it all started and how she feels today. Jodi tells people she was getting ready to quit her job working on the Med-Surg unit at Cox Monett because her weight was affecting her work. Another motivating factor for losing weight was the fact that two of her three children have Type 1 diabetes.
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SEPTEMBER 2012
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CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 25
HEALTHYCONNECTION
Journeys,