Carol Renee Carpenter, UTHealth
Carol at UTHealth in Houston improved her health by combining the UT System Activity Challenge with the Naturally Slim program for a one-two punch. The next challenge (Health Trails) is coming up soon, so check the article in this month's newsletter for details on registration.
1) What health behavior did you change?
I went from no exercise, to exercising five to six times a week.
2) Why did you decide to make this change?
I received the 2017 Spring into Motion Challenge which came at the same time that UT offered Naturally Slim. I decided that I should exercise with the diet, because I had a bad experience in the past of losing a lot of weight without exercise and lost a lot of muscle mass and was unable to lose weight for several years.
3) How did you accomplish your success?
I logged into the Spring into Motion site every day and it helped me stay focused on my goal of making exercise a habit, along with changing my eating habits.
4) How did UT System Living Well or your Institution’s resources and tools help you?
By keeping me focused daily on my goals - it was inspiring.
5) What goals and obstacles did you have?
My goal was to exercise early in the morning to make sure I met the goal. Sometimes I did exercise in the late evening, but usually had too much to do. Sometimes I woke up too late to exercise in the morning.
6) Who supported you during this experience?
The UT System and my husband, who often kept me company while I was exercising.
7) What advice do you have for others who want to make this change?
Definitely take the challenge - it was very inspirational and helped me stay focused on my goal. I am still exercising five to six times a week even though the challenge is over. It has helped me form a life-long habit. Great job to everyone involved.
