THOSE WHO INSPIRE ...
                Katie Roberts

In this regular feature THRIVE! will focus on one local resident's journey into self-discovery and improvement.

Katie before

​Katie Roberts, Minus 135 Pounds
 
An alarm suddenly didn’t wake up Katie Roberts, a Wellington native, about her weight one day.  It was a gradual process.
 
“I was always the fat kid growing up. I was always overweight. I simply loved food.  Yet I was a happy kid, never depressed. And I was never picked on at school because of my weight,” says the 41-year-old.   
 
Her last comment -- that she managed to dodge bullying -- shows how well-adjusted and self-confident Katie was, even as a child.
 
“You Can’t Live Your Life Eating Carrot Sticks”
When Katie got married in 2004 she was 100 pounds over the recommended weight for her height at 5 feet, 7 inches. Her husband was overweight, too. “My husband and I went to supermarkets and loaded up on junk food. My favorite foods were french fries and Doritos. We also drank a lot of pop,” says the direct-support professional for a group home.

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Katie after

Katie tried numerous diets but none worked. “Fad diets are a temporary fix. You can’t live your life eating carrot sticks,” says Katie.  Despite the fact that she became a vegetarian in 2002 because of her love of animals, she realized that a no-meat diet did not necessarily translate into losing weight. “You can be a vegetarian and still eat poorly with loads of pizza, chips and bread,” she adds.  Read more here.

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Real Tips From Real People

"To help lose weight, I go to Miracle Noodles and Miracle Rice as substitutes for carbohydrate-laden foods. They're gluten-free and soy-free, with virtually no calories!" - Jenny A.
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​"What motivated me to lose weight and get in shape was to place mirrors all over my bedroom and walk around with no clothes on. There's nothing like seeing yourself in the raw to kick-start a fitness regime. (I live alone, by the way.)" - Maggie S.

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“Librarian’s Corner: Best Reads and Views on Health and Fitness"

New picks for books and DVDs! The list is made by Janet L. Hollingsworth, MLIS, Director, Herrick Memorial Library, Wellington. They're all at the Library.

Adult Books
• “The Yoga Lifestyle: Using the Flexitarian Method to Ease Stress, Find Balance, and Create a Healthy Life,” by Doron Hanoch
• "Prevention's Complete Book of Walking: Everything You Need to Know to Walk Your Way to Better Health," by Maggie Spilner

Cookbooks
• “Eating for Life: Boost Immunity, Prevent Disease, Celebrate Good Food,” by Kristi Fuller, Better Homes and Gardens Books
• "The Whole 30: the 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom," by Melissa Hartwig 
 
DVDs
• "Yoga for Arthritis"
• "​Daily Stretch"

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Helpful Resources

Aren't we lucky? Lorain County offers so many resources ​to help us all live better!

Lorain County Service Agencies

​(The list is alphabetical according
to type of services)​
AGING SERVICES
Friends of Senior Citizens
44627 State Route 18
Wellington, OH 44090-9412
440/724-3804, tel. or
440/647-2113
 
Lorain County Office on Aging 
THRIVE! Partner
MAIN OFFICE – Elyria
320 North Gateway Blvd, 2nd Floor
Elyria, OH 44035
440/326-4800, tel.
440/244-6261, ext. 4800
 
Wellington Branch
115 Willard Memorial Square
Wellington, OH 44090
440/647-0777 (direct line)
440/647-4626, tel.
 
DIABETES PREVENTION
YMCA of Greater Cleveland
​THRIVE! Partner
Diabetes Prevention Program
440/574-0580, tel.
419/438-7345 (to register
for classes)

FOR MORE RESOURCES, CLICK HERE!

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​THRIVE! Southern Lorain County is one of 11 Community Collaboratives powered by United Way of Greater Lorain County that are working to improve the health, education, and financial stability of all residents in our communities.