Village Report | August 2024

August 1, 2024 | Jen Griffin, Vice President of Engagement

In the context of health and wellness, this month’s theme of “Radiating Gold” reflects the personal journey towards achieving optimal well-being and the ‘glow’ one feels from accepting a challenge and then working toward a goal. If exercise is involved, an added “glow” is also a little sweat on the brow!

This month, we shine a spotlight on Brandy Valadez, LVN, the Nurse Manager of The Clinic at CC Young. Brandy truly embraced our “Go for the Gold” Wellness Challenge and I hope her story will inspire you! It certainly inspired me.

Before the Challenge started, Brandy admits her physical activity was not a significant priority. However, the impending marriage of her daughter became a motivator. Wanting to look and feel her best for the special occasion, Brandy set her sights on fitting into the dress selected for her. Timing on the Wellness Challenge could not have been better!

Initially, Brandy found opportunities to incorporate walking into her routine by doing laps within The Clinic suite. But when construction disrupted her usual path, she adapted by starting to walk at home and again revamped her routine again when we launched the Challenge. She began arriving at work early to get in her steps, she walked during her lunch breaks, and dedicated 1-2 hours each evening after work to walking or running at home.

Once we had the Step Up app, and we could SEE her steps, there were many days she clocked 30,000+ steps! Amazing! But alongside her increased physical activity, Brandy also revamped her diet, boosting her protein intake to 90 grams a day. The result? Brandy was able to drop 20 pounds!

As we all know, with success like this, the harder part comes trying to maintain weight loss or that new level of fitness. At least in my case – and in Brandy’s, too – the struggle with weight management is more than a “struggle.’ Some may even call it a battle! And the older I get, the harder the battle seems. Personally, I have tried to step back from the process and approach my wellness from a holistic standpoint. I want to be kind to myself and cut myself some slack. (easier said than done)

The 2024 Go for the Gold Wellness Challenge became the catalyst for many of us to commit fully to health and wellness goals. Our group perseverance speaks volumes about our collective determination. Brandy’s story is amazing with impressive results! I would argue that all of us who participated (at any level!) are also amazing – with impressive results! Just a shift in mindset has made this Challenge a success. The real success lies in continuing the life-long process to improve. This lesson is about creating sustainable habits and “radiating gold” along the way.

Congratulations to Brandy Valadez – and to each of you who joined our 5-week challenge! Let’s keep our wellness journeys going! Let’s radiate gold and reflect the best versions of ourselves and inspire those around us to do the same.

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