This is the second of our two-part feature on Aultman employees who have improved their health by successfully completing Aultman Weight Management programs.

Wendy Andrews, an Aultman Home Care scheduler at the Woodlawn campus, had been overweight most of her life. “I’ve been with Aultman since March 2002 and worked as an aide, support tech, lab tech, Woodlawn receptionist and Home Care intake clerk,” she said. “Since being in a sit-down job, I struggled more with my weight. I tried several different diet and weight loss programs that just didn’t seem to work.”

Wendy had open heart surgery in 2008 and knew she wasn’t doing a good job of taking care of herself. When personal tragedy struck, it motivated Wendy to call Aultman Weight Management. “I lost my dad to brain cancer three years ago. He had just retired from being a truck driver and wanted to get healthy to keep up with his grand kids,” she shared. “I saw a picture of myself a year after he passed, and that made me realize my weight was out of control. My dad didn’t have the chance to get fit, so I wanted to honor him by improving my health.”

In July 2014, Wendy joined Aultman Weight Management’s New Direction all-liquid program. “I loved the support throughout the program. The classes helped me realize good things about myself and provided important tools to help me after I started with regular foods,” she said. “I didn’t feel hungry and started drinking lots of water, which I still do.”

Wendy also got moving, incorporating exercise into her morning routine. “Now I can’t seem to go without exercising,” she said. “I think I’m actually very cranky when I don’t work out!”

Wendy lost a total of 67.3 pounds and has kept the weight off for more than a year. “I have more energy and feel so much more confident about myself,” she offered. “My biggest challenge has been to keep track of my food. I need to make sure ‘calories in’ versus ‘calories out’ aren’t too far off in order to maintain a healthy weight.”

In addition to her supportive family members who are happy to see her get healthy, Wendy credits the Aultman Weight Management team for their encouragement. “The staff members are very knowledgeable, friendly and supportive of all of your efforts and successes,” she said. “They are very helpful in providing you with the tools you need to drop the weight, get healthy and stay healthy. I am so glad I made the call to Aultman Weight Management.”