In last month’s issue of All Around Hays, we asked for local residents to join us in our quest to be healthy. We invited candidates to send us their reason for wanting a lifestyle change to improve their wellbeing.
In this series of stories, we will help participants throw out the mentality of dieting and, instead, focus on permanently changing their lifestyle to encourage healthy habits.
Through this program, we are connecting the group with area fitness, health, nutrition and gardening experts. This panel of gurus will create personalized healthy living plans for each of our participants.
We selected five people to share their journey with our readers. Below, we introduce you to Holly, Greg, Sara, Crystal and Kelsey. In their own words, they describe why they want a healthy life makeover.
Holly Raymond
I am Holly Raymond, a 34-year-old Kyle resident, mother of three incredibly active kids, Hays School Board Trustee, Board Member of the Hays CISD Education Foundation and VP of Finance and Operations at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. And with all of that activity, convenience and stress eating, worry and fatigue, and the rationalizations of “I don’t have enough time to exercise” can all too easily creep in. I’ve long struggled with weight, gaining and losing the same 25 pounds countless times. Each time, the discipline of dieting and appetite for activity just doesn’t sustain. Being part of the Healthy Living Makeover can be the catalyst I need to make permanent healthy changes for myself and my family. I would love to keep a journal about the experience and would be thrilled to be chosen to participate. Thank you for your consideration.
Greg Estes
My name is Greg, and I am 39 years old. Six years ago, I had open-heart surgery. What I thought was exercise-related chest pain turned out to be a life-threatening hole in my heart. Recovery was tough. I am now working on improving my eating habits and lowering my stress levels to help prevent future problems.
My goals are to lose 15 pounds, lower my cholesterol level, and learn more relaxation techniques. When my stress level is high, I tend to lose sleep and eat more, leading to weight gain and a feeling of sluggishness, which further add to my stress. I would be a good candidate for this program because most people find it hard to believe a 33-year old could need open-heart surgery and a lifestyle change! I am willing to keep a journal and heed to advice of the program’s nutrition, fitness, and gardening experts.
Thank you.
Sara Parsley
I am a 32-year-old mother of 3 who moved to Kyle from South West Louisiana in August. My husband works in Oklahoma for months at a time, so I am basically the only parent. My cooking skills are all inherited from longs lines of Cajun and Italian meals, which means load of rice, potatoes, noodles, gravies, breads and red meats. I’ve cooked these meals since I was 7, re-teaching myself to cook seems impossible.
Desperate for a change, I recently started going to Elite BodyWorks. I go 5 days a week. It’s very hard work but looking at my children I know this change is necessary. I won’t be around forever but I have to make sure my time isn’t cut short because of poor choices and lack of motivation. I would love to have more help to make the best of my time especially in the kitchen.
Crystal Luna
Hi, I’m Crystal. I’m 5’6”, 250 lbs (55% of which is fat). Wow! Makes me cringe just typing that. My lifestyle change desire started several weeks back when my 5 year old called me fat. I knew I was heavy but hearing it from my child, now that was a slap to my senses. At that moment, I vowed to drop the excess weight (75 lbs to be exact) and change my life in a lasting and meaningful way, not just for me but for my daughter as well. My commitment and resolve is strong. I feel I could really be a wonderful contribution to your program. Through my journal writing, eagerness and positive attitude I believe that I could reach my goals and maybe be an inspiration for someone struggling with obesity. It’s never too late to change your future and my life-changing journey starts now. (No photo was available at press time)
Kelsey Harmon
Hello,
My name is Kelsey Harmon and I am an anthropology student at Texas State University. I would like to participate in the Healthy Living Makeover because I want to learn what it takes to lead a healthy lifestyle in today’s society. I have realized that I’m a 21 year old who is out of shape, not just in the weight sense, but also in my habits. I eat out a lot, drive to everything, complain about taking the stairs, and spend very little time outdoors. My goal is simple: to look in the mirror and be happy with myself. To know that even if I don’t look like a model, I am doing everything I can to take care of my body and be the best me I can be. I would be a great candidate because I would be able to show the younger generations the importance of making good habits now, rather than fighting to break them years down the road when it is harder. I am determined and push myself 120% in anything I commit myself to doing.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Follow their progress in meeting their personal goals over the next few months in All Around Hays.
