Meet Healthy Me! Program Participant, Bret Bajdek

 

 

At 33 years old, Bret Bajdek spends a lot of his time coaching students at Saint Joseph Catholic High School. As he tries to set good examples and mentor members of the boys’ football and golf teams, he decided it was time to take a look in the mirror and push himself to become a healthier person.

“In high school and college I was constantly trying to put on weight to become a bigger and better football player.  What I didn’t know then was that I would unsuccessfully be trying to shake that weight nearly fifteen years later,” said Bajdek.

That’s what led Bajdek to apply for the Healthy Me! Program. Now, at 340 pounds, he will work with a registered dietitian, a local physician, and fitness specialists this year, in hopes of losing nearly 100 pounds.

But this year, Bret knows that his typical yo-yo diets aren’t the answer.  Instead, he’ll be attempting to make a lifestyle change by incorporating better food choices and more exercise into his daily routine.

Bret also has a very personal motivation for becoming healthier, his brother, Jonathon.  Two years ago, Jonathon died from complications with Cystic Fibrosis. 

“I can’t help but think of how selfish it is for me to put myself at risk for so many health problems because of a problem that I can fix.  I know that finally losing weight, keeping it off, and becoming healthier would be something that would make my brother proud,” said Bajdek.

His players are also a source of motivation for the South Bend resident.  He said that often when he coaches he feels like a hypocrite. 

“I yell at my football players to run faster, run longer, lift weights, push themselves harder, and put in the extra work necessary to make them better at what they do.  Yet, I am winded walking up to the press box on Friday nights before games. I don’t want to be a hypocrite anymore; I want to be able to lead by example,” he said.

During Bret’s initial visit with Dr. Troyer at FamilyMedicine of South Bend, P.C. at the beginning of April, the two discussed Bret’s sleeping habits and found that this may be hindering his weight loss.  Dr. Troyer recommended only using the bedroom for sleeping and that Bret should remove the television and make the room a dark, cool place where he only sleeps and doesn’t engage in mind stimulating activities such as using electronics, reading or watching television.   

Bret is also currently only getting about four hours of sleep at night and Dr. Troyer recommends getting between seven and eight hours each night.  This is one of the goals Bret is working on before his next appointment.

This practice, along with recommendations from Erin Hurst, the Registered Dietician from Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, will help Bret achieve his goals during the next year.  He’s already started participating in spinning classes, walking and lifting weights at Memorial Health & Lifestyle Center. 

To follow Bret’s progress during the next year continue to visit our blog and our website at www.sbmf.org!