Let’s start the New Year with a few success nuggets people shared with us at the end of 2017. It’s always nice to reflect on successes (as well as failures), as we set our sights on fresh goals and benchmarks for the new year. The following are excerpts from the end of year success stories you guys shared (and we continue to read)!
- My goal was to lose at least 20 pounds by eating better at meals, eliminating my non-healthy snack habits, and getting more activity in to my daily routine. I was able to lose 20 pounds!! As a result, my BMI and body fat percentages also dropped into the normal range. My awareness of how in the past I might snack mindlessly (a small candy here, a cookie there) improved dramatically…The important thing is that after losing the 20 pounds by early summer, I have kept the weight off. —C.H. Kalispell
- My take away from this year is just a reminder of how much my health and choices affect not only me but also the health and well being of my child for his entire life. It certainly changes your perspective on wellness – preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond…I worked hard to meet my step and stair goals most/every day and really tried to just do some kind of physical activity daily. I took a meditation class early in the year which was wonderful. I continue to at least spend a few minutes each day either in meditation or just breathing. —L.F. Bozeman
- I adopted a rescue dog to help motivate me to get outside daily and to help alleviate stress. In the year since, I don’t think we have missed one day of walking. Spending time outdoors has made me happier and healthier, but the companionship of having a pet has been the real benefit. I feel my stress levels drop when I spend time with her and every day she reminds me of the simple pleasures in life. —J.S. Missoula
- Starting in June I cut out snacks from my diet to see what would happen and to date I have lost 40 pounds. The only change I made was to stop between-meal snacking. —J.H. Butte
- I’ve got my office set up with a stand-up desk, I’m eating healthier, and I’m getting back into the habit of exercising, so I’m going to finish the year strong. Setbacks don’t need to be permanent. So while I might not be ending the year in as good a shape (physically) as I would like to be, I’m back on the right path. —J.H. Missoula
- I have had knee issues the past few years yet still ran/walked a tough trail half marathon each year. This year, however, I spent several months consistently strength training 2x/week and my knees have stopped hurting and I ran my fastest downhills during this year’s half ever! —D.W. Bozeman
- My bloodwork has all been better this last time and I look forward to the improvements with it in the spring. Although I have not yet completed any of my weight goals, to me this is a big success! —J.F. Dillon
What we love to see is that with every one of these positive outcomes, there are corresponding behavior or behaviors that led to the results. We firmly believe that our health outcomes are firmly rooted to the small behaviors we do every day.
“How we live our days is how we live our lives.”
We’ll continue to share excerpts as well as some amazing individual stories as we get into 2018. Our new Incentive Program launches on January 16th—get ready!!!
Montana Moves 