Lisa Sellers’ Workplace Wellness Journey

Feb 16, 2015

You might say that the key to Lisa Sellers' success in her health journey has been people. “To me the number one thing you need is a community behind you,” said Sellers. “There have been so many people there for me in this journey- that’s what is great about UNC Asheville - we have such a wonderful community.”

“There have been so many people there for me in this journey- that’s what is great about UNC Asheville - we have such a wonderful community.”

Having tried weight watchers and a number of other weight-focused programs for a number of years, Sellers truly began to consider the changes she needed to make in 2012.  “I saw the scale going up and I told myself, ‘No, you are not going to that weight,’” explained Sellers.

The next week Lisa went to a UNC Asheville Workplace Wellness Lunch and Learn where she met Health Coach, Stephanie Novak and began her health journey.

Having A Coach

With Stephanie’s help, Lisa began prioritizing appropriate health goals. Three small changes were encouraged- one food change, one activity change and one spiritual change.

“In the beginning, instead of choosing something like 10,000 or 5,000 steps, it was ‘go out the door to the end of the street and back,’” recalled Sellers.

These small changes are the basis behind UNC Asheville’s CHOICE Health Coaching. Each semester Sellers checks in with Stephanie, and together, they examine the progress she has made.

“Having a coach there to help you with your plans each semester is important. Stephanie has put so many resources in front of me, I would never have gathered these opportunities on campus without her help. There’s a biofeedback lab, a nutritionist- a whole spectrum of help here on campus.”

Having these choices is exactly the message behind UNC Asheville’s CHOICE Health Coaching program. “What my choices are to change may not be another’s. Stephanie helps you with understanding the options available on campus and in the community,” said Sellers. “Stephanie is very understanding and meets people where they are. She gets an understanding of your lifestyle and is able to apply campus resources to help you.”

Lifestyle Changes

As part of her health journey, Sellers has worked hard at keeping herself going by making small lifestyle changes.

“I didn’t lose much weight in the first two years, but I lost inches, I lost 2 dress sizes. That was because I was making lifestyle changes, not trying to lose weight but make healthy, lifestyle choices.”

As part of her lifestyle change, Lisa has invested in the campus meal plan. “With (the campus meal plan) I’m ensured that every day I have access to fruit and vegetables and it isn’t something I have to work to gather,” said Sellers.

Keeping active is also an important part of Lisa’s day. “One of my major things that I recommend to anyone is to get a walking buddy and you’ve got to make sure they are friends enough with you to hold you accountable,” Lisa explains. “I walk with my two friends, Rebecca and Mila, during lunch. We are flexible, but we hold each other accountable.”

Lisa, Rebecca and Mila try to walk four times a week for 20 to 30 minutes around the Sherrill Center arena or campus depending on weather. With the recent additions to the UNC Asheville’s Workplace Wellness program in the form of MyHealthyLife’s Pebble, Lisa can track exactly how many steps she takes in a day.

“I love the pebble program. I have bought a personal sync for my computer so I can see my tracking over the weekend. It’s nice to know that something is counting for me. It lets me do the work while it keeps track.”

Other lifestyle changes Lisa has made include cutting out the sugar in her sweet tea, taking sodas out of her daily schedule and drinking more water.

“I’m making lifestyle choices that are becoming a part of my life and not something I have to remember to do every day,” explained Lisa.

Making a Change

Lisa encourages faculty and staff to try the UNC Asheville workplace wellness program. More importantly, she encourages that they incorporate some kind of health coaching, get a pebble to start tracking and have some buddies along the way.

“This journey has been going on since 2005 and I committed in 2010. I could never find a program that I could commit to, but this program works,” said Sellers. “It has community and accountability. They give me the tools within my access, and it’s not something I have to spend a lot of time.”

Sellers’ next goal in her health journey is to bring her BMI down even further, and her confidence in meeting it is shining through the work.

“If I don’t meet it in the next 4 weeks, I’m going to still keep tracking- even if I don’t meet the goal on the date I set it- I’m going to continue doing my lifestyle changes and I know it’s going to happen.”

We are proud to name Lisa Sellers as the first MyHealthyLife winner! She will enjoy a lunch with nine of her friends to celebrate. 

The next drawing for MyHealthyLife will be April 1st  and will be awarded to three lucky faculty or staff. This quarter’s prize is $300 dollars at REI. Remember every 100 points get’s you an entry into the drawing! Looking to join MyHealthyLife and start your health journey? Contact Laurie Stradley at LStradle@unca.edu and Contact Stephanie Novak for CHOICE health coaching atSNovak@unca.edu