Have you changed something in your life that is making or has made you healthier? Have you lost weight? Have you changed your diet? Are you eating healthier foods? Have you integrated exercise in your daily life? Are you overcoming a disease or illness? Please forward information in writing that you feel comfortable sharing with others. HT’s new health and wellness initiative seeks your assistance telling the stories of faculty, staff, and students. We look forward to reading your comments or you may send a more personal message to Linda Y. Jackson, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, lyjackson@htu.edu.
HT Health and Wellness 
I had stopped eating beef last year. It made a great difference in my weight and my digestive system. Then my daughter returned from college and i gradually converted back to beef, not intentionally. It was “easiter” to cook for both of us. Needless to say I was back where I started. I now again on the no beef diet and feeling better everyday.
In an effort to be more active, I’ve started riding my bike to work. Although I really enjoy it and feel that it’s a good workout, it’s getting a little to hot outside to ride every day!
On February 14, 2011, I discovered I was pregnant. I experienced that same strange mixture of fear and joy that so many women experience when they realize they will be a mother for the first time. But my fear also stemmed from worries regarding diet and exercise. You see, women in my family often develop gestational diabetes, and they usually gain much more weight than recommended. My mother gained sixty pounds when she was pregnant with me, her first child (Yes. That’s right. Suzie Qs and Coke will do it every time). Doctors usually suggest that women gain no more than 25 to 35 pounds. Women who gain too much weight or eat the wrong foods place themselves and their fetuses at risk for complications during delivery. In addition, a mother’s diet may greatly impact a child’s health as she or he grows up. I decided I wasn’t going to fall into that weight trap for the sake of myself and my baby. All I had to do was continue walking and practicing portion control.
Prior to my pregnancy, I decided I wanted to get rid of my extra weight. I wanted to tone up a bit, and I just wanted to feel healthy. I began working a thirty minute walk into my schedule every day. I arrived on campus during the weekdays around 7:30 am, and I immediately walked to the Texas State Cemetery where I made a thirty minute circuit, pushing myself to walk at a brisk pace. In addition, I did research on recommended portion sizes, and I monitored my food intake to make sure that I was not going overboard. I would like to emphasize that I did not deny myself anything. I simply observed the recommended portion sizes. All of this worked very well for me. Before my pregnancy, for example, I managed to lose ten pounds.
During the pregnancy, I struggled, but I managed to maintain those healthy habits. After all, pregnancy cravings can really be persuasive. In the end, I was successful. A week before I gave birth, my total weight gain was no more than 33 pounds. Today, I will admit that I’m not as rigorous about my diet and exercise as I was then. An infant will do that. But, as I become accustomed to motherhood, I’m slowly working exercise and portion control back into my routine, and I plan to teach the same healthy habits to my son when he’s old enough.
Great Idea! I will most likely ride the bus to work some days. I won’t have to walk far but every little bit counts.
Green tea works wonders. Drinking water instead of sodas is healthy too. Also, I walk a lot. First Lady Michelle Obama’s 1200-2400 steps per day is a great idea too! All you have to do is walk and you’ll have your 1,000 steps in no time.