Rose Oyamot is a Library Associate in the Youth Services area at the Central Library. She has worked for the City for two years. Some of the things her job includes are presenting story time to children, helping patrons with library requests, and helping to build community outreach.
Seven years ago, Rose was unhappy about her weight. Her wedding was in one year, and she wanted to be in better shape for it. She found the support and motivation she needed by joining Weight Watchers. It changed the way she looked at food and her meals. She added activity as well and lost 30 pounds by her wedding. After the wedding, she kept up the healthy eating and working out. But then – children came along.
Rose did well up until the last trimester of her first pregnancy when she just let it go and put on a lot of weight. After her daughter was born, it was hard for her to transition back to eating healthy. There just didn’t seem to be time to do meal planning, exercising or generally taking care of herself. Last year, her son was born. At that time, Rose knew it was time to add activity to increase her energy and to lose weight so she could fit back into her clothes and feel good about herself.
She couldn’t wait for the Healthy Saint Paul 2017 program to begin. It would help provide the motivation to get her in gear. At biometric screening, her BMI results were a real wake up call for her.
When Rose heard about the Omada program, she knew it was right for her. She wouldn’t have to go anywhere to participate, reporting to a coach provided the accountability she was looking for and there was group support. She began the program just one week ago. She enjoys hearing what she says are “real people challenges and then responses from others in her group as to how they dealt with similar challenges.” It is a very supportive online environment. She has emailed with her coach three times so far and finds it magical that she can step on the scale that Omada provided and her results are automatically fed into her account.
While it has only been one week since she began, she is very enthusiastic. She has been spreading her enthusiasm to co-workers. Some have not been aware of the program and she encourages them to take a look if losing weight and getting healthier is a goal of theirs. Plus, it is free!
Besides being healthier, more physically active and having more energy to enjoy her family, Rose has another goal. She has begun a YouTube channel so looking better on camera is motivating her to lose weight. We wish her luck with her YouTube channel – you can check it out at “Ukulele Storytime.” It has easy video tutorials on how to play the ukulele along with story time songs.