ADAPTING TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES ALLOWED KATIE TO STAY ON TRACK, EVEN WITH AN ARTHRITIS DIAGNOSIS.

I met Katie in December of 2018. She was attending university to become a music teacher. She had all the challenges you would expect in university; busy schedule, stress, cooking for one, and a social life. A primordial soup of triggers that can make weight loss difficult. She was determined to overcome them and become her own success story. She has since lost 60lbs on her journey. What makes her story unique is the stage of life she’s in. Many changes can happen in a short time at a young age. She was a student when we met, but during her journey she moved back to Calgary and has become a full-fledged teacher. Living by yourself and moving back home can be a challenge enough, however, what has also made a way into her life during this time is a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (R.A). Her treatment team at Group23 Sports Medicine including Stacye Will (Physiotherapist specializing in hand therapy) and Dr. Ben Cameron (sports medicine physician) assessed Katie when she started to have difficulty moving her upper arms. Subsequently, she was diagnosed with R.A and started on a treatment plan. Today, she continues her weight loss and health journey. Here is her #RiseAbove story.

What do you think was the largest contributor to your weight gain over the years?

Starting university and moving away from home was probably the biggest contributor. I lacked routine or healthy habits – I ate what others did and was went from playing two competitive sports to no physical activities at all. 

There are many factors to your weight loss over the year. What do you think was the largest contributor to your weight loss?

I believe throughout all the changes in these last couple years, planning, creativity, and reliable constant routine was the largest contributor. No matter if I was in university, home on vacation or now teaching, I created a routine and plan that works for my environment and needs. Those routines are changed and develop and will continue to but I am better at analyzing and assessing what I need. 

What advice would you give to anyone that is starting their lifestyle change? 

Not to compare your journey with someone else’s. Your wants, needs, and emotions are unique to you and comparing yourself will limit your ability to see growth and potential within yourself. 

What do you think will always be a struggle in keeping your weight off?

I am an impulse eater whether its candy, baked goods, or that snack at the office. If its there, I will want it. I have learned not to hide from that feeling but to try to plan and analyze the situation instead.

Today Katie continues her journey, but during her diagnosis, she has become a champion of exercise. She is focused on her rehabilitation and her pounds lost has changed to the number of exercise sessions and freedom of movement. She is choosing to #RiseAbove Rheumatoid Arthritis and not let it define her future, but to continue to overcome the challenges that may rise and continue to do the things she loves to do like dance and teach music to the kids she cares for! I hope her story inspires you to start and continue your own story. If you want to meet your personal care team at Group23 Sports Medicine, click learn more below.