BodyTrac Participants Find Support in Live Better Fit

While making the initial decision to lose weight is a personal one, having accountability and support system in place can help you stay on track with your goals.

In June, Live Better, the Archbold Medical Center-led collaborative of key community leaders and partners focused on improving the overall health of the citizens of Thomas County, launched Live Better Fit (LB Fit). The 25-week wellness program is a collaboration with local businesses and gyms. The goal of LB Fit is to teach people how to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle, and connect them to nutrition resources, fitness expertise and a support system that helps prepare them for success.

Throughout the 25-week program, exercise and fitness mentorship is provided to 10 participants chosen through their respective participating Live Better partner gym—BodyTrac, Planet Fitness, Thomasville CrossFit, Townie: A Fitness Community, and the Thomasville YMCA.

Live Better partner BodyTrac Thomasville chose to help mentor two existing members, Brittany Stone and Wendy Knight.

“We chose Brittany and Wendy to represent BodyTrac in the Live Better Fit program because of the hard work and dedication they exhibit in the gym,” said Ashley Methvin, Manager at BodyTrac Thomasville. “We see how hard they push themselves towards their weight loss goals, and we wanted to provide them with some additional resources we felt could be beneficial.”

After learning about the Live Better Fit program, both Brittany and Wendy jumped at the opportunity to be part of the inaugural group.

‘I’ve tried losing weight on my own, but I needed support and accountability to help me reach my goals, which is what the Live Better Fit program is about,” said Brittany. “Plus, I’m turning 30 this year, and I want to be the healthiest version of myself.”

“I’ve struggled with weight loss all my life, and I desperately want to get to a point where I don’t have to worry about being at risk for weight related health issues,” said Wendy. “I’m ready to improve my overall health so I can be around as long as I can for my kids. I want to live my life, not just survive.”

At the 20-week mark, both Brittany and Wendy agree that their food choices are what have changed dramatically.

“The program has been challenging, but in a good way,” said Brittany. “I’m hitting the gym more frequently and I am more conscious of my food choices.”

“I’ve become more aware of my health and what it takes to live a healthier lifestyle,” said Wendy. “This program has offered me so many tools to change my life and health for the better.”

“We always tell Brittany and Wendy that working on themselves one hour a day keeps them aware of their behaviors the remaining 23 hours of the day,” said Methvin.

Both Brittany and Wendy agree that their favorite part of the program is the encouragement they receive from other participants, Archbold’s dietitian and their gym trainers.

“My favorite part of the program has to be the wonderful and encouraging people I have met,” said Wendy. “I’ve never had such a large support team before.”

“The monthly check-ins with Hannah, Archbold’s dietitian, helps me stay accountable,” said Brittany. “It would be easy to get off track when no one is there to follow-up with you.”

“We are over halfway through the Live Better Fit program, and our participants are showing tremendous progress in their weight loss journeys,” said Todd Bennett, Archbold’s Clinical Outreach Manager. “We’re very proud of them. You can continue to follow their journey by reading their blogs at www.archbold.org/lbfit.”