It’s spring, and with the new season comes new goals. If one of your goals is to be healthier, we would like to provide some inspiration by introducing you to Becky Jewell, the Patient of the Month for Aultman Orrville Hospital Weight Management.

Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows there are many challenges to being successful. Let Becky tell you what she learned while she was on her weight loss program.

Which Aultman Weight Management program did you participate in?

I participated in New Outlook offered through the Weight Management program.

How much weight have you lost?

I have lost more than 60 pounds since starting the program.

What made you decide to begin this weight loss journey?

I attended an information meeting and liked what I heard: the program monitors you individually, it includes an exercise component and dietitians give nutritional information and support.

What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

It’s not something that’s done for just a period of time and then you’re done. It is a life-long process that incorporates good habits. I exercised before joining the program, but it wasn’t until I joined the program that I began to understand the nutritional piece of the puzzle. We learned that we tend to eat for many reasons, but we need to think about food as fuel and nourishment for our bodies.

What’s your favorite part about your experience at Aultman Weight Management?

Experiencing the changes! The program helped me take a balanced approached. Not only did we talk about exercise, but we also focused on nutrition, which was one of the components I was missing from previous efforts. By taking a balanced approach, I have not only seen a reduction in my weight – I have also been able to cut back on medication that I had been taking.

What advice do you have for those thinking about joining the program?

Don’t be afraid to take the first step. If you want to make a change, you must take that first step.

What words of wisdom do you have for anyone currently going through a weight loss journey?

You need to believe you can do it!

Thank you for sharing, Becky!