Making resolutions stick

laurel Woman shares Inspiration on sticking with Health Goals  

According to studies, a large percentage of Americans have already given up on their New Year’s resolution to get healthier by the first week of February. Brittney Cellmer of Laurel hopes by sharing her story that she can show how lifestyle changes made in partnership with a supportive primary care provider can make a big difference. 

For Cellmer, 34, her health journey began with a realization that she needed to make a change. "My weight has always been a big issue, and with it came pain, especially back pain," Cellmer said. "When I first started this journey, it was all about making me feel better."  

Guided by the relationship she has built with her primary care provider, Janice Fordham, MD, of the Intermountain Health Laurel Clinic, Cellmer has transformed her health and overall wellbeing.  

Cellmer had been seeing Dr. Fordham for several years, but it was during her annual exam in 2022 that she was ready to make a change, facing both physical and mental health hurdles. 

                                                                                                   Brittany Cellmer

"There was a lot of mental health involved. I wasn't happy with myself, and I knew my weight was contributing to my pain,” she shared.

After discussing her concerns, Dr. Fordham recommended a holistic approach, focusing not just on immediate relief but on long-term wellness. 

"We started with physical therapy to get me to a point where I could start walking and establishing routines," Cellmer explained. The initial eight weeks of physical therapy were crucial in setting the foundation for her ongoing health improvements. 

"My physical therapist was instrumental in helping me manage my pain and improve my mobility," Cellmer said. "She would show me the correct motions for everyday tasks, like moving boxes at work, and small adjustments that made a big difference. The sessions taught me how to move correctly and avoid pain triggers.”

In addition to improving her pain, Cellmer worked with Dr. Fordham to address her weight loss goals in a personalized way. 

"Dr. Fordham helped me with my food choices, not by putting me on a crazy diet, but by getting back to the basics," Cellmer shared. "She would say, 'You're doing good here, but we need to focus on this area.' It was about making small, manageable changes."

“With everyone, it is about creating realistic goals, in her case, even moving over lunch for 10 minutes a day is a great start. I think that is what is so great about Brittney, she set achievable goals that she was able to hit and then kept going from there,” shared Dr. Fordham.

Through the coaching of Dr. Fordham and using apps to track her food and activity, Cellmer was able to build routines and habits. She has seen significant and measurable improvements in her health. 

“I'm no longer pre-diabetic, and my pain episodes have significantly decreased,” she said. “I would have episodes every two or three months when my back would hurt so bad that I couldn't stand up straight. It has been two years since my last episode.

                                                                                               Dr. Janice Fordham

Three years into her health journey, Cellmer still sets goals for herself. Her goals this year are focused on continuing what has been successful: working out, maintaining healthy food choices, and staying on her path of health. She offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to make healthy changes in their lives. 

"Start small and build on those steps," she emphasizes. "It's not about quick fixes; it's about making lifestyle changes that you can maintain. If you want to lose 100 pounds, take it 10 pounds at a time. Start with the littlest things, like a 10-minute walk every day. It's all about baby steps,”

She also stresses the importance of having a supportive healthcare provider. By having that connection with Dr. Fordham, she was able to openly discuss what was and was not working.

 "It's like talking to a friend who understands your struggles and helps you find solutions,” she shared.

“It's pretty amazing to what Brittney has accomplished with her dedication and hard work,” said Dr. Fordham. “It is fun to celebrate the work together. I am just so proud of how she used those small steps to develop a plan she can adhere to.”

Dr. Fordham offers several recommendations for those looking to set healthy goals and work effectively with their primary care provider:

Start with a Physical: An annual checkup can provide guidance on becoming healthier. Everyone's body type is different, and an assessment can help set personalized goals.

Set Realistic Goals: By making a few changes and scaling back people will find it much easier to stick with habits that lead to lasting change.

Enjoy Your Exercise: Choose exercises you enjoy. Individuals are more likely to stick with activities if they don't feel like a chore.

Focus on Nutrition: Instead of restrictive diets, adopt healthier eating habits. By enjoying favorite foods in moderation, it is more possible to stick with healthier eating long-term.

Consistency Over Perfection: Everyone will hit bumps along their health journey, but sticking with it and making even small progress will lead to better overall habits in the future.

Dr. Fordham emphasizes reaching out to a primary care provider when you hit roadblocks or challenges along the way. 

“Your provider can recommend further testing and ensure there aren't other factors preventing you from reaching your goals,” said Dr. Fordham. “People are more likely to stick to a plan that's unique to them and not one-size-fits-all."

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About St. Vincent Regional Hospital

Founded on our mission of compassionate care 125 years ago, St. Vincent Regional Hospital, part of Intermountain Health, has grown into one of Montana’s largest comprehensive hospitals, serving the healthcare needs of over 400,000 people in our four-state area. Continuing to respond to the needs of our community, we have been recognized as an innovator in trauma, heart, neurological and cancer care. At St. Vincent and Intermountain Health, our 12 primary care clinics, and specialty clinics in and around the Billings area, our goal is to help you live the healthiest lives possible. This also includes caring for the region's youngest patients. We opened the region's first Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staffed 24/7 by Pediatric Intensivists and the only Pediatric Surgery program serving eastern Montana, northern Wyoming, and the western Dakotas.