Wellness Journey – ACC Stories of Inspiration

by ginaakin | Jul 10, 2017 | Updates

Richard Anderson
Location: Service Center
Job: System Administrator for Academic Computer Support
What health behavior did you change?
I have been on a multi-year health journey that began with a significant change in diet and losing 45 lbs about 5 years ago. Since then I had been much healthier overall, but skinny. Probably too skinny. I realized that my at-home workout routine wasn’t enough to get the results I wanted so I started ACC Wellness classes about a year ago with Beginners Yoga. I have now moved up to the Yoga Flow class and this was my first semester in the PiYo class.
What advice do you have for others who want make to make this change?
At any point in life we can decide to change who we are. It’s a choice we are blessed to have as living breathing Human Beings. Yet we are extremely adept at convincing ourselves that it isn’t a choice at all – that we’re stuck this way and there’s nothing we can do about it. We all have the ability to decide to change who we are. The first step is deciding to change what we do. And no matter how challenging it may seem, success is so much sweeter when it’s a choice we make for ourselves. Never-the-less, sometimes life forces our hand. Sometimes we have to redefine who we are even though we weren’t ready to. I don’t want to be a cancer survivor. I want to be a cancer destroyer.
Read how Richard overcame some struggles in his life.

Meredith Ross-Chong
Location: Cypress
Job: Adjunct Faculty and Character at Large
What health behavior did you change?
With the busy-ness of work, family commitments, and volunteer activities, I had not been in a class or regular exercise endeavor in mnmnmnmlong. I began taking Tai Chi with Mark Leidig more than 2 years ago and have been consistently active, engaged and committed to the class.
What advice do you have for others who want make to make this change?
Get a Nike shirt that says “Just Do It”… and follow those instructions
Read how the Tai Chi class influenced Meredith’s life.

Mary Jo Stasiowski
Location: Cypress Creek
Job: TECE Coordinator
What health behavior did you change?
Trying to manage stress levels, increase my daily activity, and eat better.
What advice do you have for others who want make to make this change?
If you want to feel better physically, emotionally, and mentally you need to make time to do something that is good for your whole self. Work will still be there when you come back from class. I either come in early or stay later depends on what and where I am needed for that day.
Find out what Mary Jo did to take care of herself.