The alarm clock blared and Nancy Moshier, RN, knew it was time to get ready for work. At 5-foot-4 and 274 pounds, it took the Minnesota nurse 20 minutes just to climb out of bed.

“I had reached a point in my life where I felt helpless and hopeless,” Moshier said. “Even with my nursing background, I couldn’t seem to conquer my weight problem.”

Moshier’s story is hardly unique. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently named obesity as the fastest-growing cause of illness and death in America today.

Although nurses are in a position to educate patients about the dangers of obesity, many feel hypocritical dispensing advice while struggling with their own weight issues. Moshier is among a cadre of nurses who have successfully battled the bulge and use their experiences to advise patients on the health risks associated with obesity.

Throughout the years, Moshier had tried numerous weight-loss strategies. Programs such as Weight Watchers and TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) helped, but she ultimately regained the pounds.

Her turning point came four years ago after reading the book Dr. Atkins’ New Diet Revolution.

“I was at such a low point in my life that I had nowhere to go but up,” Moshier said. “The Atkins plan sounded like a sensible approach to losing weight, and it wasn’t another diet, but an entire lifestyle change.”

Moshier and her husband, Ron, started eating low-carbohydrate meals together, and Nancy lost 131 pounds, while Ron dropped 80. She has maintained her weight for the past four years and has written two low-carb cookbooks, Eat Yourself Thin Like I Did! and Eat Yourself Thin With Fabulous Desserts. She serves as associate editor for LowCarb Energy magazine and also writes an advice column for a bimonthly publication.

“I eat low-carb versions of all my favorite foods,” Moshier said. “I’ve lowered my cholesterol and blood pressure and I no longer have to take medicine for fibromyalgia. I now feel confident when I say weight loss can improve your health.”

Addressing obesity

When Lori Radcliffe, RN, BSN, worked in a convalescent facility, she was dismayed by how many patients in their 60s and 70s were battling weight-related health ailments.

“I wondered if early education or intervention by health care professionals could have inspired these patients to take better care of their health,” Radcliffe said.

Today, Radcliffe devotes her days to helping nurses achieve good health.

Her company, ‘Jest’ for Fitness and Food [www.buffbones.com], teaches nurses the basics of exercise and good nutrition — habits she hopes they can pass along to their patients.

“I think many nurses feel uncomfortable talking about weight issues with their patients,” Radcliffe said. “Yet you have to consider the consequences of not talking with patients, and how their weight may lead to major health problems.”

A former stand-up comedian, Radcliffe teamed with nutritionist Debra Dobies, RD, to offer health and nutrition services to nurses across the country. Their messages intersperse humor with serious advice about good diet and exercise. The two also sell the Bones of Steel video showcasing workouts for nurses that improve bone density and lower cholesterol.

“We see so many caregivers who struggle with self-care,” Radcliffe said. “Our goal is to help nurses and other health care professionals develop good lifelong habits.”