Healthy Eating

By Sharina Arceneaux Sharina is an education specialist in Nursing Administration at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Because Sharina has a family history of heart disease, she’s ready to take on the challenge of living a heart-healthy lifestyle. 1. How are you feeling now? Why do you want to become healthier? I feel good, but I know I have the potential to feel GREAT! I ...

By Kathy Clinton Kathy is a massage therapist in Physical Medicine at Methodist Richardson Medical Center. Kathy’s goal is to run a 5K with her son. Get your running shoes on and go, Kathy!  1.   How are you feeling now? Why do you want to become healthier? I often wonder how I got here. As a teenager I would eat like crazy, and my mom would say, “Be careful. This will ...

By Carrie Camin Assistant Vice President, Wellness Methodist Health System Before you think this is another “I resolve to eat better, exercise more, and lose weight” New Year’s resolution blog, stay with me. This is about making changes to get healthier using the tools that actually help you do it. 2013 brings Methodist Health System employees a new, comprehensive approach ...

by Jodi Palmer Jodi is a Patient Care Technician at Methodist Charlton Medical Center. Her goal is to get in shape so she can live longer and look good.  1.   How are you feeling now? Why do you want to become healthier? I am feeling super excited about this journey I am about to take part in with Methodist Health System. This means a healthier me for 2013! Yayyyyyyyyy ...

By Erik Leopard Erik is an HR business partner at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Over time, Erik has gained weight and fallen into less-than-optimal eating habits. At risk for heart disease and diabetes, Erik has identified clear goals that will help motivate him to make healthier choices. Erik’s goal is to take better care of God’s temple: his body. 1.   How are you fe ...

By Karen TaylorEmployee Health Coach Methodist Health System Starting a diet during the holidays? Think again. Most dietitians agree that the season of giving is also the season of eating. Starting a quest to lose weight may be fraught with challenges. While gifting is great, the extra calories and fat grams found in many holiday foods result in the gift that keeps on givin ...

By Joyce Kaska-Laird, MA, RD, LD, CHES, CDE Diabetes Program Manager Methodist Charlton Medical Center As someone who works with diabetes patients every day, I often find myself in the role of a myth buster. Patients who have been newly diagnosed with diabetes and those who have been dealing with the disease for some time often have to be reminded about the realities of li ...

By Beth Leermakers Employee Health Coach Methodist Mansfield Medical Center and Methodist Charlton Medical Center We all remember the story of the little engine that could from our childhood. The tiny engine repeated the mantra, “I think I can. I think I can.” to climb up a steep mountain. Many of us are in the same situation as that little engine when it comes to maintainin ...

By Beth Leermakers Employee Health Coach Methodist Mansfield Medical Center and Methodist Charlton Medical Center How stressed are you? If you say you’re really stressed, you’re not alone. Suffice it to say, we are living and coping with stress almost 24 hours a day. Why so much stress? We are overextended, committed to too many things, and not willing to say “no.” Women se ...

By Carrie Camin, Assistant Vice President, Wellness Methodist Health System When it comes to keeping fit and staying well, we all know what we need to do. The hard part is knowing how to do it. Moving from, “I can’t” to “I could” to “I can” to “I did” is not an easy journey. My job is to be a wellness champion, to coach and encourage Methodist Health System employees to achie ...

ttp://youtu.be/yRTq4RWyaMcChef Carol Ritchie has been part of the To Life! Weight-Loss program at the Methodist Weight Management Institute for a year and has lost nearly 30 pounds and feels great! The To Life! Program is for life and she'll continue to participate in the support groups, visit her doctor, and track her calories and exercise. She makes one last meal for her webl ...

By Carol Ritchie, celebrity chef and Participant in the Methodist Weight Management Institute’s To Life!™ Lifestyle Change Management ProgramThe holidays are here, and so are all the temptations that come with them. A steady stream of pot luck gatherings, parties, holiday shopping (and eating), and food gifts can totally undo the hard work you’ve invested in your weight-loss or ...

By Carol Ritchie, celebrity chef and To Life!™ Lifestyle-Change Management ParticipantAs the holidays arrive, I find myself thinking about our favorite seasonal foods, soups for cold nights by the fire, and sweets for all. Foods we associate with fall, winter, and the holidays are often more calorie-laden, so now’s the time to plan ahead and enjoy all the season has to offer by ...

By Carol Ritchie, celebrity chef and To Life!™ Lifestyle Change Management ParticipantOne of the things I’ve learned on my weight-loss journey is to be prepared. With a little planning, you can navigate through fall sporting events, tailgate parties, and playoff games without blowing your diet. For a successful strategy, take a few minutes to think about the foods you associate ...

http://youtu.be/1hgBtlQii0MChef Carol Ritchie has shed 24 pounds and 7 ½ inches from her waist and has reduced her cholesterol by 30 points since joining the Methodist To Life! weight-loss program! In this webisode she talks about how taking 15 minutes a week to plan meals and exercise helps her from to avoid sabotaging her hard work -- sometimes simply packing some pre-sliced ...

http://youtu.be/RUzz-cmmvbMSince starting the To Life! weight-loss program Chef Carol Ritchie has dropped more than two jean sizes and continues to lose weight and gain health. During the dog days of summer she shares her ideas for cool treats include strawberry ice cubes, low-fat chicken salad in bell pepper boats, and salad nicoise with tuna, egg, tomato, and green beans. She ...

http://youtu.be/BeF2_FaeUUsChef Carol Ritchie has reached a new goal in the Methodist To Life! weight-loss program. She's lost 23 pounds and 6/12 inches from waist and is feeling new dedication and motivation in her weight-loss journey. In this webisode she talks about how she met the food challenges of a family reunion and exercised throughout and she prepares "dinners done" - ...

http://youtu.be/9Vw_88hNl3EChef Carol Ritchie has lost 22 pounds -- she's reached a plateau, but she knows what she needs to do to continue her weight-loss journey with the Methodist To Life! program. She prepares quick, cool, colorful, healthy summertime salads with quinoa, a super food that contains all eight amino acids, and in-season fruits and vegetables. ...

By Carol Ritchie, celebrity chef and To Life!™ Lifestyle Change Management Participant Summer is here, but don’t let picnics, family gatherings, and July 4th fun derail your weight-loss plans. The Methodist Weight Management Institute’s To Life!™ program, which has helped me lose 22 pounds, can help you lose weight and still enjoy the sunny days ahead without feeling depriv ...

By Tammy Beaumont, BSN, RN, BC, CBN Methodist Dallas Medical Center You know all the usual healthy habits for proper weight management, but putting your health care education and training into practice is another story. Following a healthy diet and regular exercise program take time and energy. For many of us, long shifts and irregular work hours zap our time and our ...