Walking helps Kimberly Kilgour and her mother, Arlena, improve their overall physical and mental health. Kilgour's mother had a stroke in 2010.

Kimberly Kilgour, 52, has a busy schedule as a preacher's wife, mother and full-time manager in the Immunology Unit at the Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL). In 2010, Kilgour's schedule became even busier when her mother, Arlena, 76, had a stroke and moved in with her daughter after extensive rehabilitation.

 

She tried to juggle the demands of home, work and church -- all at the expense of her health.

 

Kilgour's first reality check was during a 2011 visit to her doctor after a colonoscopy. The follow-up results were great but she was bothered by her weight gain.

 

"I looked down at the chart and the doctor wrote obese," Kilgour said. "I almost had a heart attack for real. I never got over that statement and that was a big motivation."

 

In 2012, Kilgour was diagnosed with high blood pressure. Her doctor encouraged her to exercise more and change her diet. Kilgour obliged but eventually gave in to the demands of personal obligations and stopped.

 

Then came the second reality check in 2012.

 

"Actually, my gynecologist said something to me about my blood pressure," Kilgour said. "We were sharing personal stories as caregivers. She mentioned how she started neglecting herself. The doctor said I would have a stroke like my mother if I did not get my blood pressure under control. On this particular day, it was sky high," Kilgour said.

 

She knew she had to make some changes.

 

"At the time, I was not in a good place," said Kilgour. "I really was in a rut and I was experiencing pains that I had never had before. My weight had ballooned up to 183 and I was losing control of situations that I always thought I could handle. I never realized how much stress affected my health."

 

Kilgour did not have to look far to find support. She engaged in daily walking to lose weight with coworkers during the DPH Holiday Survivor Challenge. She instantly felt better even though she faced several temptations.

 

"The biggest obstacles were all the Thanksgiving and Christmas activities," said Kilgour. "I felt like I was walking through a minefield. Everything looked so tempting and there were those who offered me to taste their favorite foods. I learned to eat only what I wanted. I cut out all breads and kept the portion sizes very small."   

 

Kimberly Kilgour, fourth from right, finished as first runner up during the DPH Holiday Survivor Challenge, where she lost 20.8 pounds and lowered her high blood pressure. In this photo, Kilgour and coworkers demonstrate how 90 DPH employees collectively lost 150 waistline inches during the challenge.

Her hard work paid off. Kilgour was recognized during the DPH Holiday Survivor Challenge as the first runner up after losing 11.35 percent of her body weight or 20.8 pounds. Her blood pressure is under control and she is losing weight while managing stress.

  

This accomplishment was not at all easy for Kilgour, who loves sweets and Southern cuisine. Her husband enjoys watching the Food Network Channel and preparing meals high in fats and carbohydrates. Now, Kilgour spends more time in the kitchen with him making suggestions and helping prepare healthy meals.

 

"When I started this journey, I thought that I would lose 10 pounds at a time," Kilgour said. "I wanted to start slow and try to make changes that would help me keep the weight off and to not have to take the high blood pressure medications. My initial goals were to lose 30 pounds, get my blood pressure under control and increase my physical activity. I could not have imagined that kind of support from my coworkers and family."

 

Kilgour is motivating her mother to regain her health. Both mom and daughter exercise by walking to gain mobility and reduce stress and pounds. Kilgour's mother desperately wants her independence back and is willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

 

Kilgour is also motivating others during Girls Talk, a bi-monthly meeting comprised of girls ages seven to 17 that focuses on health, etiquette, bullying and other topics. One of the participants invited Kilgour to a 5K run/walk to benefit a local charity.The youth counselor-mentor relationship is a healthy combination for everyone.

 

"I was neglecting my health because I was so busy focusing on the important people in my life," said Kilgour. "But as women, even though we have to take care of loved ones, we have to take the time to refocus and take care of self."

 

With her improved health decisions, Kilgour can continue to encourage others to do the same.