Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/242056
The Just Lose It program at CoxHealth Fitness Centers was just the motivation Crystal needed to make some changes in her life. "I started small. At first I exercised three days a week, then I added a fourth day, and now I am up to five days," says Crystal. She exercises at The Meyer Center and takes Zumba classes. "I feel so much better when I work out instead of going home and sitting on the couch," says Crystal. Crystal also became aware of what she was eating – "I started making myself accountable for what I eat instead of eating aimlessly." She has lost 30 pounds. "DON'T GIVE UP!" This is Stephanie's motto and it has worked. After suffering from migraines for three years and being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, Stephanie made some changes. She realized that her diet was affecting the intensity and frequency of her migraines. "The biggest change was sticking to a low-carb diet and portion control," she says. "I was completely amazed by the change – my migraines went away and I am on a lower dose of medicine to treat my fibromyalgia." "The small changes really make a difference," she adds. 4 DURING A ROUTINE CHECKUP, CELESTINO CHAVEZ WAS DISCUSSING HIS STRUGGLES WITH ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND PAIN MANAGEMENT WITH DR. LOGAN BANKS, HIS PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. Dr. Banks encouraged Celestino to take the FEEL BETTER NOW class. "It teaches participants how to not only best cope with their chronic medical conditions but also how to live the healthiest life possible," explains Dr. Banks of the Family Medical Care Center. FEEL BETTER NOW is a free, sixweek class covering sleep, dealing with difficult emotions, making decisions, pain management, weight management, healthy eating, appropriate use of medications and dealing with depression. Glenda Miller, collaborative care coordinator and a leader of the class, explains that each week participants create a weekly action plan with goals. "The goal has to be very specific because we want them to be successful," says Glenda. "They have to identify what they are going to do, when they are going to do it, how much they are going to do and how many days a week they will do it." "The action plans get you to realize that you can do things that you didn't realize you could do," says Celestino, who completed the class. "I could only walk 30 or 40 feet at a time without resting and now I can walk blocks." One of the most important parts of the class is group support and accountability, explains Glenda. Participants are paired with a partner. During the week they call each other to provide support and discuss if they are meeting their goals. "I could see the change in myself and my classmates over the six weeks," says Celestino. "The selfmanagement tools they teach you are very practical and you see results." Celestino immediately began to notice his medication started working. In the months following the class, doses of his depression and anxiety medicines were lowered and now he is completely off his medicine. He has a lot more energy. "When I see patients who attend this class, they seem more motivated to continue to make healthy decisions after the class is over," says Dr. Banks. "It's really about living a healthy life," says Celestino. "The class saved my life."