Wellness Makes a Difference!

Meet Deb Arbique, AA, Muskie School Casco Bay Estuary Partnership and Community Planning and Development Program. Deb has succeeded in making some healthy choices in her life that have truly improved the quality of her life.

When Deb moved back to Maine five years ago, her health had been compromised by several surgeries. During a rather long recovery time, Deb faced new health challenges as a result of being less physically active. She felt stuck a vicious circle not being able to exercise and putting on unwanted weight as a result. One day while browsing the Healthy USM website she decided it was time to ask for some help.

Deb read about a new program called Well on Your Way, a wellness coaching service offered by the Healthy USM health educator. She met her new coach, set goals for her health improvement plan, and took home some reading materials. Deb read Changing for Good, a book about the psychology of change, which confirmed what Deb knew about short-term dieting sprints. Deb was in for the long run and knew that she would need a support system to keep her motivated. Along with support from her wellness coach, she also decided to join a weight loss program.

Deb joined Weight Watchers, and lost 25 lbs. in six months and hopes to lose more until she gets to her ideal weight. She’s also gone back to her love of rollerblading, and to her amazement her knee problems have started to go away!

Now that winter has set in and rollerblading is not an option, Deb has purchased a number of DVD exercise tapes and exercises in the comfort of her own home -- that is until she can go back to her love of rollerblading outside!

Deb offered some pearls of wisdom to might help those who are ready to make a healthy change:

• Think positive thoughts about the end results of your present efforts.
• Focus on your original intention and make small changes that are doable and celebrate every small accomplishment towards reaching your goal.
• Continue to enjoy life while you work at making changes so that you don’t feel like you are depriving yourself of other enjoyments.

Congratulations Deb! You are well on your way to optimal health and well being!!