Meet Our Patients

I have had high blood pressure since I was ten years old. I also decided to make a change because of sports. I’m always running. By making healthy changes, exercise will be easier for me to do. The most difficult thing for me has been giving up Popeye’s Chicken. It was my favorite but I know it’s not healthy for me. Also, it was a challenge to give up second helpings of food at meals.

My tips for others who want to make healthier changes are: don’t skip meals, and eat five small meals a day. Making changes towards a healthier lifestyle have to include the whole family. Parents, don’t give up on your child. So far, my progress has been great! I have more energy to enjoy my daily activities. Most importantly, my self confidence has improved. All of my healthy changes have led to weight loss. People (especially the ladies) are beginning to notice that my physical appearance is changing! All of the changes I’ve made have really paid off!

Patient Update

What has changed in your life since joining Children’s program?
My attitude towards weight loss. I also feel like I have more energy to work out for football. I’ve also enjoyed telling my friends about my healthy choices and weight loss.

What is your biggest barrier to success at home, school, and in the community?
I don’t feel that I have any barriers for success at home. My mom is very supportive of my decision to lead a healthier life and has even worked towards a healthier lifestyle herself. We help to keep each other on track.

At school, the biggest barrier to success is the food items offered in the cafeteria. They don’t really have a lot of healthy options for me to choose from.

In the community, the biggest barrier to success is the availability of fast food restaurants. It is hard to resist temptation.

What are the daily food and activity challenges you face while trying to stay on track?
Making healthy choices while eating out with friends. Some days I am more motivated than others. For activity, my biggest challenges are finding the time to squeeze activity in my daily schedule. Also, I find it hard to be active when there is bad weather.

What are you most proud of?
My weight loss and the amount of energy I now have. Also, I am very proud of myself to have the motivation to make changes on my own.

Bryson's Favorites:
Favorite Sport: Football
Favorite Music: Rap-Fabulous
Hobbies: Basketball, football, weight lifting, hanging out with friends
Favorite Physical Activity: wrestling
Favorite Healthy Food: salad with lots of veggies

I read an article on the New U 26 Program that my mother had seen. I then realized how nice it would be to go shopping in the Juniors Section, not the Plus sizes. I knew already of medical issues, but the article made me think how nice it would be to be normal, to look and feel it. I didn’t want to go the surgery route unless it was my last option; I like the challenge of everyday, knowing in the end that it is all worth the pain, tears and happiness of feeling good about my mind, soul and finally my body.

Patient Update

What has changed in your life since joining Children’s program?
The minor things in my life have changed, like my eating habits.

What is your biggest barrier to success at home, school, and in the community?
At home we own an ice cream shop and I face sweets and fast food everyday. But I feel that this inspires me too.

What are the daily food and activity challenges you face while trying to stay on track?
I am not a person who is not actively motivated. I get home from five hours of work on feet and I am exhausted. I also face the challenge of fast food and ice cream; which I am motivated to eat. When it comes time to fight those cravings I just remember my goals and how far I have come and that helps me through.

What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of how far I have come in six months. Even though I have hit a plateau, I want to work harder.

Courtney's Favorites:
Favorite Music: Punk-Rock, Pop, Country and much more
Hobbies: Reading, listening to music, singing, cuddling with my dog, running, blogging, texting, talking to friends, working with my cattle
Favorite Physical Activity: Running
Favorite Healthy Food: Blueberries

I wanted to make that change in my life because my family said that that would be the right thing to do. This program is very fun to do and it is the best thing I have done.

The most difficult thing for me to do is eat right and not to eat junk food all that time. You really need to watch what you eat. Also when you start to exercise don’t come in and drink soda. You need to be drinking a lot of water, both outside and inside.

Some tips to make it though the days are to be creative. Try new things when you’re hungry, try eating fruit. For exercise play basketball, baseball and football; you can even play card games just put exercise in with them. You can also run around the house when a commercial is on.

Supporting words from me are to be confident and to not give up when you think you can’t do it. Tell yourself that you can do everything and to keep your head high. Have your family be very supportive and don’t give up.

The update on my progress is that I was 204 lbs. and now I am 182 lbs. I am trying to get down to 150 lbs. This program has changed my life a lot and I fell very good about myself. I think it will change your life too.

Patient Update

What has changed in your life since joining Children’s program?
I have more confidence. I am active, and my feet don’t hurt when I run.

What is your biggest barrier to success at home, school, and in the community?
There is a lot of food that you want to eat but you can’t eat them.

What are the daily food and activity challenges you face while trying to stay on track?
The food that is bad for you so don’t eat them that much. The activity you just have to think of some activities.

What are you most proud of?
I have lost weight and I have more confidence.

Alan's Favorites:
Favorite Music: Rock and Roll
Hobbies: Swimming
Favorite Physical Activity: Basketball
Favorite Healthy Food: Frozen Fat-Free Yogurt