July 2016

Practice positive self-talk!

Cindy Busch had started running again in 2014 and had worked her way up to 3 miles a day when her supervisor asked her to join her in a marathon relay. She started training for the race and found herself hooked again. An injury after the race forced her to the sidelines for three months, but she found other ways to continue exercising, such as lifting weights with coworkers during breaks. With Type 2 diabetes in her immediate family, she wanted to lose weight and be healthier to prevent adverse health issues. When her injury healed, she resumed running and joined a gym where she loves Zumba classes. She also does weight training. She joined Weight Watchers Online and has traded fried foods for fruits and vegetables, chicken and fish. Sixty pounds thinner, Cindy has her sights set on losing 30 more pounds and plans to seek out a personal trainer for an added boost.

You’ve lost 60 pounds – was losing weight your goal?

My goals were to lose weight, become healthier and avoid adverse health issues. Both of my parents have Type 2 diabetes. My sister was recently diagnosed. And my triglycerides (a type of fat in blood) were high, which is one of the precursors to diabetes. As a nurse giving patients health advice, I felt I had to follow it myself.

What kind of changes have you made?

I recently joined a gym. I love Zumba. One of the things I’d encourage anyone to do is to find something you like to do. If you like to do it, you’re going to stick with it. It doesn’t have to be 30 minutes all at once. You can do 10 minutes of exercise here and there and it all adds up. The more you move, the better you will feel. Besides Zumba and running, I do weight training and yoga. My next step is to hire a personal trainer.

How have you improved your eating habits?

I’ve been doing Weight Watchers for a year. I do everything online. Their mobile app is amazing.

I don’t eat as much fried food as I used to and I eat a lot more fruits and vegetables. I eat very little protein and when I do it’s lean – fish or chicken. I definitely don’t eat out as much as I did. If I do, it’s not at a fast-food place. One of the things I’ve noticed since I haven’t been eating sugary things like cake and doughnuts is that fruit really is sweet enough to be dessert.

How do you stick with it?

You have to find people who are like-minded and supportive. Find a workout buddy, someone to keep you accountable.

What have you learned about yourself?

I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I think I am, not only with weight training but being able to go back to running after an injury and overcoming the fear that I’m going to injure myself  again. I also learned I don’t have to punish myself with food and food doesn’t have to be a reward. There are things that are much more rewarding such as looking in the mirror and being able to say, “I’m good with myself today.”

What’s your goal now?

I’d like to lose another 30 pounds.

One of your wellness tips is to find an exercise activity you enjoy doing. Do you have other tips?

It really is diet and exercise. There’s really no healthier way to achieve a weight loss goal. I would also encourage people to practice positive self-talk. Find the good things in yourself and focus on those.

How does it feel to be nominated as a Wellness Hero by your peers?

I’m very humbled. I was surprised when I found out. I have to say that the other Wellness Heroes’ stories have been really inspirational.