Each year at our Annual Wellness Event, Vicky Tomlin-Simmons, UF Health Shands Human Resources employment specialist, provides encouraging words and a friendly smile as employees check in. But she had never participated herself.

Like many of us, she worried about what her biometric screening might reveal, and what the scale would show.

“Not only was I worried about other people seeing my weight, but I didn’t want to see it either!” Tomlin-Simmons said. “I figured I’d encourage everybody else to do it and just continue to skip out on it.”

In April, Tomlin-Simmons decided to get on the other side of the Wellness Event’s check-in table to participate. She knew how discreet the wellness staffers were at the event and decided it was time to be proactive about her health.

“It was very smooth, quick and not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be,” she said. “I thought it was a great experience overall.”

Since learning about her health risk factors at the event, Tomlin-Simmons developed healthier habits by taking advantage of our wellness offerings. She credits GatorCare’s annual Water Challenge for several positive changes in her health, including a decrease in ankle swelling following an injury and losing more than 11 pounds.

“Using the drink tumbler I got at the Wellness Event, which holds 20 ounces, I started drinking at least 64 ounces a day and readjusted my eating,” she said. “Several of my co-workers did the challenge with me, so it was a group effort. We also help each other out by sharing healthy snacks like fresh fruit that have fewer calories than other goodies we like.”

In addition to positively impacting her co-workers, she says the new healthy habits she picked up at work are rubbing off on her family, too.

“My husband and I both participated in the Sleep Challenge and that’s benefited us a lot,” she said. “I’ve even gotten my mom on board which is great, because she loves to cook the ‘good’ stuff and sweets. She’s actually dropped some pounds since the Wellness Event too!”

Tomlin-Simmons also participates in 12 Tweaks to a Healthier You, the new program which helps employees stay healthy year-round. Each month, participants focus on a different tweak — a small, actionable behavior that can be incorporated into your daily routine. Prompts include Morning Mile, Serving Size Surprise and Turn Off to Tune In.

“I look forward seeing what next month’s challenge is and hope they’ll continue to help me to become healthier,” she said.

While Tomlin-Simmons will continue to help staff the event each year, she also expects to become a regular participant.

“I’ll probably be the first one to jump into the line at the Wellness Event in the years to come,” she said. “It’s been a great experience for me so far and I’m thankful for all of our wellness programs.”