CLEVELAND — Back in October, I introduced you to two of our viewers Kimberly Horton and Kati Lucas. Like many of us, the pandemic had derailed their wellness and fitness goals. They needed some motivation to get back on track.
"When the pandemic hit, we were all forced to be inside. I use to go to the Y, three days a week and then nothing," Horton recalled.
Lucas agreed. "I just felt so powerless over so many things out of my control especially with the pandemic," she said.
When I first put out the call that I was going to be embarking on a wellness journey to lose weight, and wanted to help other viewers who were in the same boat, both women were among the more than 200 of you that responded.
For nearly 10 weeks, we met with doctors from Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Center and learned everything from how to cook and eat better, how chiropractic medicine can help with pain, and why yoga is so important. The goal of the program is not just about losing weight. Its about a full mind and body transformation in how you view food and your overall wellness. Kati told me it was enlightening.
"You’re not just hearing things from one person, from one source, you’re hearing it from seven or eight different people," she said of the program.
Kati says her favorite part was learning how to incorporate yoga into her life.
"I really like it because it incorporates mind and body. I don’t think it would be fair to try to lose weight without incorporating your mind into it," she said.
For Kim, it was all about the massage therapy appointment.
"I really liked that massage," she laughed.
No shocker there - who wouldn’t like a professional massage right? But that wasn’t all.
"The practice of trying to be mindful that really helped me. Just slowing down and breathing [was helpful]… its been a stressful year for everybody," she said.
Both admit the process of weekly doctors visits and learning about how the different foods impact your diet and wellness wasn’t easy. Kim had to give up some of her favorite snacks.
"I had an altercation with some Christmas cookies and it went on for a couple of days," she joked. "We were really fighting it out. [But] I was able to turn it around."
Kati said she had her own challenges.
"The most difficult part for me was, I like my hamburger and steak. I don’t think I can do plant based… nope," she said.
Despite a few setbacks – both women say they have made progress.
"Actually l lost 17 pounds and 7.5 inches," Horton said. "I'm really happy with that. My cholesterol did go down by 30 points."
"I lost 21 pounds. I am still working to a lot more," Lucas said. "As far as my cholesterol, everything came down but not to where I had hoped to where it would be, so that’s a work in progress."
Moving forward, both said they would continue this wellness journey and have some advice for anyone else considering this kind of lifestyle change.
"Take your health seriously. Do what you can. Move even if its walking up and down the steps inside your house," Horton said.
"Progress is still progress even if it is small," said Lucas. "The thing I have learned is to not focus on the goal but the journey. Never think it is too late."
We’re in this together!
If you're interested in learning more, or signing up for a similar program through the Cleveland Clinic, visit:
call: 216.448.4325 or email: cilm@ccf.org
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