When 90 employees with the Georgia Department of Public Health
joined the Holiday Survivor Challenge to lose weight or just
maintain, clinical laboratory technologist Martina Rowe, in the
Virology Unit at the Georgia Public Health Laboratory, was front and
center.
Rowe had struggled
with yo-yo dieting most of her life, losing pounds only to gain them
back.
"As a child I weighed
some 200 pounds from elementary school through middle school," said
Rowe. "During my high school years I became more aware of my weight
and tried to lose weight mostly by starving myself. I was unable to
participate in any physical activities because of my obesity."
Rowe's bad food
choices contributed to her weight gain, as many of her meals
contained excessive quantities of fat, sugar and salt.
"My meals at home
consisted of fried foods, potatoes, breads, and mostly sweet
treats," recalled Rowe. "As a mother, I continued to eat these same
foods after giving birth to my twin boys."
Weighing together
over 10 pounds at birth, they began picking up some of her same bad
eating habits and she wanted to be a better role model for them.
"After giving birth
to my twin boys in 2002, I was at my greatest weight of 350 pounds,"
said Rowe. "My knees hurt from the weight and I also suffered from
shortness of breath when getting from point A to point B. I wanted
to be able to keep up with my sons so I went through with the
gastric-bypass surgery in November 2003."
She ate smaller food
portions and lost some 150 pounds.
"But little did I
know that I would still crave the sweets and still be able to go
through the drive-thru at McDonald's for the French fries and
supersized sweet iced tea," said Rowe. "I eventually gained 50
pounds back."
She quickly learned
that surgery would not take those bad eating habits away. Searching
for real and sustaining solutions, she joined a gym and lost the
weight again, but began working out to eat what she wanted. Rowe
learned that alone would not keep the weight off, either.
She can lose weight
when she sets a goal, but admits her biggest challenge is
maintaining the weight loss once she reaches her target weight.
"This past year I
slacked off and put on more weight," said Rowe. "It was suggested to
me to participate in the survival challenge for the holidays. I was
excited this would be my opportunity to get myself back on track and
in physical shape."
Motivated to shed
unwanted pounds, Rowe began working out and taking spin classes with
coworker and spin instructor, Michelle Kirk.
"I applaud DPH
employees who committed to lose or maintain weight during the
Holiday Survivor Challenge," said Susanne Koch, worksite wellness
coordinator for the Georgia Department of Public Health. "The
wellness challenge was designed to create an awareness of what's
going into your body as well as provide support from friends and
co-workers. It can be very difficult for any of us to not
overindulge when there are so many temptations to eat sweets during
the holidays. To go through the holidays and not gain weight is
great...these survivors not only maintained, but lost weight and
inches off their waistlines during the holidays. That's awesome!"
Rowe is back on track
and getting to know coworkers with a little friendly competition.
She has also participated in the United Health Wellness Program
where a coach helped her keep track of goals and weight management.
"I always wanted to
be able to join a program that would teach me how to shop for the
right foods at the grocery store, as well as teach me how to prepare
great meals for my children," described Rowe.
The Holiday Survivor
Challenge ended on Jan. 14 and the results of the teams and winners
will be available on Jan. 24 at DPH's next wellness event, Slim
Down.
"I have lost approximately 25 pounds," said Rowe. "I have learned to
prepare in advance by packing healthy meals, snacks (no skipping
meals) and workout attire. I plan to continue on the wellness
program and encourage my fellow coworkers and family members to join
me."
