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A Lofty Achievement for Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital’s Health Hall of Fame Winner

Laura Ostrander, at the top of Rosalie Peak
Laura Ostrander, at the top of Rosalie Peak in Colorado's Golden Gate Canyon State Park.

Laura Ostrander’s journey to a healthier life has had peaks and valleys. But the human resources coordinator recently reached a new summit when she was able to climb a Colorado mountain, something she could not have done three years ago.

Ostrander has lost 50 pounds since committing to a healthier life and is the 2018 Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital's Health Hall of Fame winner.

“In November 2015 I felt tired, sluggish, my knees hurt and I generally felt awful,” says the 32 year old. “I decided to start eating healthier and counting calories through the MyFitnessPal app.”

The winter of 2016 was mild, so Ostrander spent every lunch hour from December through March walking to and from a nearby park. In August 2017 she took advantage of YouDecide, BJC’s employee discount program, to join Club Fitness and work with a personal trainer for eight months.

“I woke up at 4 a.m., one or two days a week to work with the trainer,” Ostrander says. “She showed me exercises that did not hurt my knees. I went from not being able to jog at all to being able to run two miles without stopping.”

She can also climb a mountain. In August she and her sister camped and hiked for four days in Golden Gate Canyon State Park, including climbing to the top of Rosalie Peak.

Another first the Cards fan will soon achieve is being on the field at Busch Stadium when she is recognized with other BJC Health Hall of Fame winners in a St. Louis Cardinal's pre-game ceremony. “I was really excited to win, and thankful to the people who nominated me,” she says. “It’s humbling to read my nomination and see that I inspired them.”

“Laura is an inspiration to our team by exercising after work, bringing healthy lunches and committing to healthy choices,” says Brooke Eggleston, manager of human resources and occupational health.” She is a great example of the self-care attribute of resiliency and encourages others to take care of themselves as well.”

Ostrander has kept her to commitment to eating healthier and exercising. “I’m feeling so much better,” she says. “I had to come to terms that it’s a slow, steady journey. I can go a couple months without losing any weightRealize that if you want to get healthier, it’s not going to happen overnight. But a year from now, you will be happy that you started today.”

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