7 WINNERS
7 LIFESTYLE CHANGES
View the Winner's Stories

WINNER: Eat Better


Karla Sam

Karla recognized that changing her diet was a key component of living a healthier lifestyle. In February 2016, she made a commitment to eating better. This included carefully watching portion sizes and avoiding overeating. She cut back on the amount of processed foods she ate and replaced them with fresh fruits and vegetables. But, according to Karla, the most important thing she did to maintain healthy eating habits was to be prepared. She packs breakfast, lunch and healthy snacks to help her stay on track.

Karla also increased her physical activity, walking daily at lunch and going to the gym three to four times per week. Because of her lifestyle changes Karla has lost 37 pounds and doesn’t tire as quickly when playing with her young children.

Family can be a huge motivator of change in our lives. For Rick Huffman, the motivation to change his lifestyle came in August 2016 when his wife and son were told by doctors that their health was in jeopardy due to their weight.

Rick realized his bad eating habits were influencing his entire family. Rick had a habit of not eating all day and then binge eating at night. After studying about metabolism, he started eating smaller meals throughout the day, and he replaced junk food with fruits and vegetables. Rick also started working out four to five days per week.

As a result of his commitment to healthier living, Rick reduced his blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose numbers, and he’s lost more than 120 pounds.

Last December, Ivan’s triglyceride reading was more than 400, and his bad cholesterol numbers were 250, putting him at high risk for heart disease and stroke.

Ivan made the decision to lead a healthier lifestyle. He started exercising at least three times per week, and changed his diet to eliminate added sugar and extra carbohydrates.

Ivan’s hard work resulted in his triglyceride reading dropping to 100, and his LDL cholesterol reading dropping to 190. He no longer takes medication for his cholesterol.

Misty started smoking at a very early age, and by the time she got to high school was smoking 2-3 packs per week. As she moved through life, Misty told herself she would quit after she reached the next milestone in her life – graduation, marriage, children. But she never did.

The impetus to finally quit came late in 2016 when her mother became ill. Misty’s mother had always told her she was too pretty to smoke. Prior to passing away in December 2016, Misty’s mother made her promise to quit smoking. Misty determined to keep this promise. Misty used Chantix and also began a comprehensive exercise program. Within four weeks she had stopped smoking and no longer needed Chantix. Promise fulfilled.

Misty’s brother passed away two months after their mother. Looking back, Misty sees their deaths as the inspiration for her to live a healthier lifestyle.

WINNER:
Reduce Blood Pressure


Philip Andrew Thomas

Prior to April 2016, Philip lived a sedentary lifestyle. With an alarming spike in his A1C, he found himself pre-diabetic and motivated by the word insulin. It was then that Philip set his mind to healthy lifestyle changes in eating and exercise. He decided to join his company’s fitness center and participate in their wellness challenge. With severe arthritis in both knees, Philip started with low-impact aerobic exercise and minimal weights, but gradually worked his way to harder and longer workouts, and now the pain in his knees has since diminished.

By reducing his sodium intake and increasing exercise, Philip’s blood pressure has decreased from 150/95 to about 100/60, also decreasing his medication. Philip’s dedication, along with the encouragement of his wife, doctor, and co-workers has helped him completely improve his lifestyle today.

After a total right knee replacement, and while going through physical therapy, Debbie decided to join a wellness lifestyle program. The results she began to see during the program ultimately lead to her own total lifestyle change. Before starting her current exercise routine, Debbie averaged around 2,000-4,000 steps per day. She has since increased to an average of 10,000 steps per day and even sets her alarm to get up and be active for 10 minutes every hour.

Debbie overcame many obstacles during this journey to a healthy lifestyle, including the loss of her husband, a total knee replacement, and complications following the surgery that left her hospitalized for four days. Getting back into a routine was not easy, but through perseverance, hard work, and determination, Debbie was able to find a healthy lifestyle.

In August 2016, Ken started taking spinning classes at CycleBar as a low impact alternative to walking, which had become more painful and difficult. Within just a few weeks, Ken had more mobility in his legs, more strength, and started to lose weight. Diabetic nerve pain in his hands and feet soon started to disappear and become more manageable.

Ken has made tremendous strides in health and is no longer taking insulin. His A1C reading dropped from 14.2 to 5.6. He also went from trying to finish 50-minute workouts to leading and winning many of the workout rides. Through his hard work and determination to live a healthier lifestyle, Ken has lost 50 pounds and is striving to lose 50 more.