Briefly introduce yourself and share a bit about your background.
I’m Will, I’m a UA alumni, and I’m a computer scientist for The University of Alabama. I used to be overweight.
Describe the starting point of your journey and the factors that led to this decision.
I started my journey on accident when I had chronic tonsillitis from strep throat. I looked and felt so much better from the weight loss that I committed to living healthier. Firstly, to stop getting sick, but also to keep the healthy BMI that fell into my lap.
What were some challenges or obstacles you encountered during your wellness journey?
The hardest part was just keeping consistency in exercise. There’s not really an easy way out, and as much as you could meet and maintain goal weights through caloric surplus/deficit, there’s not a replacement for movement. However, I find that if I can either make it short or fun, then it’s much easier.
Which wellness practices or habits have you incorporated into your routine?
For breakfast, I have 25g whey protein, a banana, assorted dried fruits and nuts, and a whole grain biscuit. Altogether, it’s about 400 calories. For lunch, I have a turkey on whole wheat sandwich, and some more fruits and nuts for another 400 calories. I lift weights and do 10 minutes of HIIT every day, and then I have something meal-prepped for dinner. On Sundays, I make a dish with decent macros I can have for dinner that week, and I never cook with seed oils. I use natural/animal fats. This week it was chicken and rice casserole with mushrooms and cheddar.
Is there a specific wellness program that has had a positive impact on you?
While I didn’t use a specific program, I operate on the principle of eating when I’m hungry and getting plenty of exercise. I suppose you could say portion control?
How has your wellness journey influenced your daily life, including work, relationships, and overall well-being/ What changes have you noticed in energy levels, focus, or other aspects of your daily routine?
Every day is just significantly easier, because I have more energy, which means I can go to sleep on time and wake up on time with ease. There’s been a tangible shift in my workflow, in conversations, in my attention span, and in my relationships. The biggest change I noticed was simple movement. Standing and kneeling at mass, walking up and down stairs, and dancing with my girlfriend are all a total breeze these days. I just feel more in touch with my body and what it needs. My doctors have taken notice of my low systolic blood pressure and heart rate, so to see the effects of those 10 minutes every day on my chart was satisfying.
Read more inspiring wellness stories, tips for maintaining a healthy routine, and meet all the UA Spotlight on Wellness employees from this year.