I had completed annual blood work with Marathon Health & Wellness Center for more than six years as part of my employee benefits at Western Virginia Regional Jail. In recent years, that blood work started to reveal rising numbers, giving cause for concern.
I felt stuck in an unhealthy pattern. My endurance had decreased significantly and my weight made it hard to be active. I’d experience difficulty breathing and a nagging cough for days following exercise.
Heather Staley, FNP, and Rachel Meadows, LNP, at Marathon Health diagnosed me with asthma. I was happy to get a diagnosis—it gave me hope. They prescribed an inhaler, discussed how to properly use it, and I used the Member Portal resources to learn more about asthma.
I committed to improving my overall health and started a regular exercise program. I began weight training and started a healthy eating plan, identifying foods that kept me full longer and reduced my painful inflammation. Heather researched local 5K races, sent me running articles, and even offered to meet with me on Saturdays to run.
So far, I’ve lost 20 pounds and am beyond happy with my latest blood work results. I’ve made significant improvements in my cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
I recently signed up for my first 5K race. I never thought in a million years I’d be able to jog that far, but I feel amazing and committed to continuing my journey. I feel confident knowing my Marathon Health team will support me in meeting my goals.
