Two years ago, Christine Braddy, an Information Services Support team member at Franciscan, faced a life-changing reality. On Sept.11, 2023, she stepped on the scale and saw a number she could hardly believe.
“A little less than two years ago I weighed more than I ever have, and I was ready for a change,” Christine shares. At 4’11”, her weight was, as she described, “a literal and emotional weight on my body.” Along with emotional challenges, she faced serious health concerns that could no longer be ignored.
Christine realized it was time to prioritize herself — a difficult but necessary shift for someone who had always put others first.
“I decided that day to commit to my health,” Christine says. “On this day, I shifted my focus to be about me and my journey to self-healing and resolution.”
The First Step
Seeking help, Christine met with a nurse practitioner in Monroe who introduced her to semaglutide. But it was a simple walk up a staircase that truly opened her eyes.
“I never knew that walking up those stairs, which was eye-opening as with each step I took I struggled to breathe, would change my life forever,” she recalls.
The medication helped manage cravings, or “food noise” as Christine puts it, but she emphasizes that it was her own choices — eating healthier, staying active and trusting in God — that fueled her success.
“My journey through the next year and a half was one of sheer will and determination,” she says. “I discovered that I was stronger than the thoughts that drove me to eat and make bad choices.”
A Life Renewed
To date, Christine has lost 147 pounds. “With God and my determination, I have succeeded in losing the burden that was literally weighing me down,” she says. “I am blessed beyond measure in knowing how to live and eat healthy and enjoy exercise more than I ever have.”
Christine hopes her story can inspire others to take control, do the things that may seem impossible or scary, and begin their own journey to a healthier life.
“The only way to start the journey is to take that first step in the right direction,” she says.
Strength in Small Steps: A New Beginning for Jalyne Jack
Sometimes change begins with a single moment of clarity. For Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center patient access manager Jalyne Jack, it happened just last month during a visit to her healthcare provider.
“I went to my provider due to being extremely exhausted,” she says. Along with constant fatigue, she had noticed her clothes were tighter, her mood unpredictable — “so many ups and downs,” she recalls — and her diet filled with fast food.
What’s more, when she stepped on the scale, she was disappointed to see that she had returned to near her pregnancy weight.
That day became a turning point. After completing her lab work, she left the office determined to make lasting changes. “I began thinking of healthier alternatives to incorporate into my life,” she says.
A Commitment to Change
With a follow-up appointment set for just three weeks later, Jalyne focused intently on her goal.
“I was determined to see a change on that scale,” she says.
She adopted new habits with purpose — fasting, juicing, eating cleaner foods and eliminating fast food from her routine. She even added simple but meaningful exercise by walking around her neighborhood.
The results spoke for themselves. When Jalyne returned to her provider, she had already dropped 10 pounds — a powerful testament to what small, faithful steps can achieve.
For Jalyne, the progress so far is just a start: “I am still going strong.”
Choosing Movement: Terry Bosley’s Inspiring Health Journey
At 65 years old, Terry Bosley, patient access representative at Our Lady of Lourdes Physician Group, found herself facing concerning news during regular doctor visits. With an office job that kept her sitting most of the day, her health stats started trending the wrong way.
“My primary care physician was having me keep track of my blood pressure because of spikes. My cholesterol and glucose were inching upward, as well,” she shares.
Determined not to rely on medication, she made a bold decision. “I decided I would try exercising.”
Finding Accountability and Strength
Wanting a consistent routine, Terry and a coworker joined a gym last summer — specifically one with an indoor track.
“We used to walk around the grounds at Our Lady of Lourdes, but it was way too hot in the summer,” she says. At 4:30 a.m., four days a week, they meet to walk for an hour, keeping each other motivated to continue their journey.
“Having an exercise partner holds you accountable. We push through the mornings to not let the other down,” Terry says.
Their discipline has brought impressive results. “In doing so, my blood pressure and cholesterol have come down. Also, my bone density has increased. My doctors are very pleased.”
Though she’s lost a few pounds, Terry emphasizes that weight loss was never her primary goal.
“Just knowing that if you move consistently, it can benefit you in so many ways,” she says.
Looking Forward with Faith and Purpose
Thanks to her commitment, Terry has improved her health and avoided needing the medication. “I have been able to keep myself from being medicated by just moving on a regular basis,” she says.
Her next step? Building strength for the future.
“Plans are for getting a trainer to show us what strength-building machines can benefit us at our age,” she says.
