2008 Winners
In 2008, LIVE FOR LIFE received 49 contest entries for the individual makeover and six entries for the group makeover. We received such heartfelt essays that it was very difficult to choose the winners.
Listed below are the winners of the lifestyle makeover essay contest, including their submitted essays. The four runners up received the opportunity to participate in a LIVE FOR LIFE weight management program.
Individual Winner
Craig Galunas, Nurse Clinician — Cardiology
I believe I would benefit immeasurably from winning the lifestyle makeover. I have the best intentions when it comes to starting an exercise program and living a healthier lifestyle but I just can't seem to get myself motivated. It has affected my life in a number of ways. As an example, knee surgery last year has taken longer than anticipated for me to rehab because even though I know what needs to be done, I can't seem to follow through with the prescribed exercise regimen necessary to return to my previous level of functioning. This has caused me to remove myself from floor nursing (something I truly enjoyed) because my leg could not take the 12 hour shifts. I am hesitant to do a lot of the things I previously could do because my leg bothers me too much.
I am not an "old" man but I act like one and feel like one, too. My weight has continued to rise even though I try to watch what I eat and get in some occasional (but sporadic) exercise. I have high blood pressure and my cholesterol is borderline. All of these issues I know can be reduced if not eliminated if I could just lose 30 pounds! Several years ago I managed to lose 36 pounds and never felt better in all my life. I want that feeling back. I was exercising regularly and eating wisely. It really was wonderful. Then life got in the way and now I've gained all of the weight back plus an additional 14 pounds!
I know what I need to do; I just can't seem to do it! The funny part is that I am a cardiology nurse and if anyone knows the benefits of diet and exercise it should be me! I want to get back to floor nursing, but just physically do not feel able to. I want to be healthy enough to play with my new grandson too, and be able to enjoy life again. If you chose me for this makeover I will be very committed and dedicated to the program. I just need some guidance and motivation to get started. I want my life back and I hope that you will grant me that gift!
Group Winner
School of Nursing (14 group members)
From back row, bottom to top: Manager Clinical Placements Catherine Taylor, Staff Assistant Tina Moore, Data Manager Nina Hines, Graduate Placement Coordinator Izy Obi, Assistant Professor Jane Blood-Siegfried and Director of Academic Support Operations Debra Mattice.
WE NEED A MAKEOVER! Everyone is busy these days and our group, a mixture of faculty and staff, are looking for strategies that will help us make improvements in our lives and be able to sustain them. After years of trying the Jell-O, Atkins, Weight Watcher's, Jenny Craig, ice cream, peanut butter, and grapefruit diets, to name a few, only to see the pounds creep back on, we are looking for a way to get it off and keep it off. Having a plan that becomes part of our lives instead of a way to lose 10 pounds this month would certainly help provide that sustainability.
We work at the Duke School of Nursing and KNOW all about appropriate nutrition and EXERCISE, we just don't do it! What we struggle with is putting healthy eating into practice. Our various jobs are busy and challenging and we frequently miss lunch or have a quick snack on the run. We are various ages with different life circumstances — so while some of us are leaving work for the second job with the children, others of us are empty nesters or single with other responsibilities — who may go home to a dinner of leftovers (cold from the refrigerator) or something quick we pick up on the road. Some of us are looking to lose 20 pounds and some much more, and some would like to learn what to do to avoid ever having to go on a diet. In other words, we need help getting things under control and having a workable plan to deal with eating so that we can make healthy choices along with an exercise plan to give us more (or some) energy to really LIVE our LIVES.
We believe having a built-in support group at work would certainly help us achieve and maintain our goals as well. We have several new folks in our group and this will be a great way to build team spirit across our departments (unlike our last morale booster which involved deep-fried Snickers bars at the State Fair — they were good, but didn't contribute to being healthy!!) So with Halloween and Thanksgiving behind us (and all their temptations) behind us and more food holidays ahead, we want to make a fresh start for the New Year. PLEASE, HELP US!
Contest Runners Up
To read the essays of the lifestyle makeover contest runners up, click here.