Troy Worthen with Wheeler Cat

Troy Worthen, with Wheeler Cat, has made great strides working with The Apple Program^®. In addition to losing over 10 pounds, Troy completed his first triathlon – “The Ice-Breaker Triathlon.”

Troy feels that most of his success is attributed to The Apple Program. He really enjoys working with his personal Apple Health Coach^®. “Having a coach and having accountability motivates me to do well. I don’t want to call and say that I haven’t produced.”

Troy admits that turning 40 was also great motivation to take control of his health. As part of that, he set a goal to complete a triathlon. His coach assisted him in his preparation and training. “I finished and didn’t break any records, but I finished alright. I enjoyed the whole event as it was motivating to see so many fit people. It motivated me to be more fit ‘when I grow up'.”

Troy took his training very seriously and focused on consistency. He said that on Mondays he would bike for an hour, at a spin class depending on the weather. On Tuesdays he would swim for about 45 minutes. Wednesdays he ran about 40 minutes. He swam again on Thursdays for about 45 minutes and on Fridays he would do a brick, which is a 30 minute combination of running and biking. Troy said that he set Saturdays as the day he would do his own mini-triathlon to prepare himself for the real deal. The training and hard work paid off as Troy finished his first triathlon in under two hours. Troy and his wife are now training for the Salt Lake 26 Mile Bike Tour.

With all the swimming, biking, and running, Troy admits that he is eating more than he used to. Because of this, he is more conscientious about what he puts in his body. His new thought process is that food is equal to time spent in the gym so he is more careful with his choices.

“The Apple Program and having a coach has been great for me as it has given me the motivation and knowledge that I need to succeed.”

Rick and Stacy Blackburn with Washington County

Rick and Stacy Blackburn with Washington County have an inspiring story of success as they have worked hard together with the support of their Apple Health Coach^® and The Apple Program^®.

After joining The Apple Program, Rick and Stacy decided to work as a team in order to accomplish their health goals. Although each of them knew they wanted to get healthier and make changes for themselves, there was something even more inspiring that compelled them to take action. Stacy’s sister needed a kidney transplant and Stacy wanted to be the donor. Due to her body mass index and cigarette usage, she wasn’t eligible to be the donor until she lost weight and quit smoking. The Blackburn’s decided that it was time for change.

Rick knew it would be difficult for Stacy to quit using tobacco on her own while he continued so he decided to quit with her. Rick is now tobacco (chew) free and Stacy went from a pack a day to now being cigarette free.

Additionally Rick and Stacy have been working on their nutrition habits. They reminded each other not to snack, especially late at night, and plan their meals together based on healthy eating options. They have been eating a lot of fruits and vegetables and they prepare healthy dishes that focus on lean protein like chicken and fish. Stacy admits that it took a while to convince her husband that he could live without meat and potatoes diet but she can proudly say that they are doing it now. She’s converted him to salad with chicken and a number of additional colored vegetables.

Stacy’s determination to lose weight so that she could donate her kidney to her sister motivated her to work out on her treadmill. Stacy would exercise four to five days per week to push herself. As a result of her efforts Stacy has lost over 50 pounds in less than a year and a half! This in turn has brought down her BMI and her sister’s doctor has now approved her as the kidney donor for her sister. The operation went great and her sister’s body took the kidney and is doing well. Stacy is doing even better.

According to Stacy, “The Apple Program played a huge role in our success – the morale support, the recipes, and being directed in the right areas was so helpful. I don’t think that we could have done it without our coach and the program in general.”

Rick said that “Having constant reminders from my coach helped me remember to stay on track. Our coach gave us the support that we needed to put us in the right direction to reach our goals.”

Sherrie and Kelly Roseman with Utah County

Sherrie and Kelly Roseman with Utah County have had great success working together with The Apple Program®. In the last three months, the couple has lost a combined total of 60 pounds!

Kelly feels that he has always been an active person. He has run marathons and half marathons all the way from Tucson to Tokyo. Although both he and his wife, Sherrie, walked the Tucson half marathon they knew that they were heavier than they wanted to be. He recalls later picking up a 25 pound bag of sugar or flour to see how heavy it felt and to use this as a motivational tool to remind him that he didn’t want to go running and carrying all of that extra weight with him. His wife felt the same way so together they decided that making changes as a family was the best way to achieve their goals.

Kelly says that the accountability of The Apple Program^® assists him in reaching his goals because he knows that he needs to report to somebody. It has also been a great benefit that the program is integrated into his work at the Utah County Sheriff’s department. In the past eight years of working with the sheriff’s department Kelly has always hated the stigma of eating donuts and sitting behind the counter drinking coffee. He said that it was his goal to break the stereotype.

On January 4th Kelly was 215 pounds. He is pleased to report that he now weighs 188 pounds. Kelly ran his first marathon in 1995, coincidentally the year of his first heart attack. Despite his earlier activity, he had allowed himself to fall into a much more sedentary routine.

Kelly and Sherrie agree that the greatest help has been doing this program together. Eating the same foods and exercising together is helpful. Nutrition has changed dramatically for the couple. They have cut out high calorie foods and desserts which has made a tremendous difference.

Kelly’s running times and distances have both improved. He averages about 25 miles per week running, completing his long runs on Saturday which are usually 10-15 miles. Additionally the couple has lost a great deal of weight. Kelly has lost 27 pounds while Sherrie has lost 33 pounds.

The couple agrees that The Apple Program is what provided them the incentive and motivation to address their health issues. The health assessment opened their eyes and having an Apple Health Coach^® to report to kept them focused on attaining their goals. It was also helpful for the couple to received different suggestions and tips from their Coach. The support from their Coach combined with the partnership they have in doing this program together has created great success in addressing their health risks and living healthier happier lives.

“It would have been much more difficult to do this program separately, but we have been much more successful doing it together.”

Matt Caldwell with Tooele County

Matt Caldwell, with Tooele County, has had great success working with The Apple Program^® and his Apple Health Coach^®. Through good nutrition and exercise, Matt was able to lose over 30 pounds!

In addition to the physical changes of weight loss and body fat loss, Matt’s overall cholesterol dropped by 80 points. Matt believes one of the main contributors to his biometric changes is his healthy exercise habit. On average, Matt exercises five to six times per week, but he focuses on quality not quantity. Matt said, “I pushed myself and really made the workout count.” When Matt started the program his cardio goal was to work out four to five times per week for at least 30 minutes. Gradually, he worked himself up to five to six times per week for at least an hour.

In addition to exercise, nutrition played a huge role in Matt’s success. He said that he started eating more produce and less red meat and not as much white processed flour. He said that when he works ten hours per day it helps him to bring healthy pre-prepared snacks. When other unhealthy foods were available they became less of a temptation because he had food on hand. Matt was also able to lower his cholesterol so much because he increased the salmon and almonds he eats. Matt likes his exercise and nutrition plan and he said that he will keep doing what he is doing.

“The Apple Program played a really big role in my success, because the assessment helped me know where I was at. Before coming to the assessment I didn’t really know where I stood with my biometrics. Now that I know, I do better. Ignorance is not bliss: Know your cholesterol and blood pressure. For questions and advice the coach was helpful.”

Alex Darger with Taylor Electric

Alex Darger, with Taylor Electric, has made small changes that have produced noticeable results while working with The Apple Program^®. Since joining the program, Alex has lost 10 pounds, has noticed a difference in his energy level, and has made great strides with his nutrition.

Alex was motivated to make changes in his health when he experienced four people in his life being diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. He decided that he was going to lose weight and get in better shape to avoid this lifestyle related disease. Alex started in June on his own and lost 20 pounds before he started the program. He has lost 10 more pounds since working with The Apple Program. Alex attributes his additional success to the health advice he receives from his Apple Health Coach^®. He says his coach is a motivator and cheerleader for him.

A large part of Alex’s success has been due to his increased attention to nutrition. Exercise has been an integrated part of his life as he keeps himself physically active at work and around the neighborhood. Where Alex wanted to focus his efforts and the support he received from his Apple Health Coach was on his diet. Through the education he received and plan he implemented with his coach he has found that simple substitutions in his diet are creating great results. He is now eating whole grains instead of refined white flour, grapes instead of potato chips and blueberries instead of crackers. His coach assisted him with nutritional recommendations to lower his cholesterol such as eating flax, avocado, and nuts. The greatest nutritional feat for Alex was almost completely cutting soda out of his diet. Where he used to drink about 44 ounces a day he now only drinks a soda about once a month.

“I saw myself 20 years down the road and decided to take the healthy path so that I can be living and enjoying my life.”

Kevin Thacker with Sandy City

Kevin Thacker, with Sandy City, is excited about the great value and success he is experiencing through The Apple Program^®. He admits that when the city first introduced the program he wasn’t too enthused about it. He remarked, “I was going to the gym on my own and I didn’t see where talking to somebody once a month on the phone would help. The reason I did it was to save money on my health insurance through the city.” After working with an Apple Health Coach^® for four months, Kevin said that the program has turned out to be a great thing. In addition to enjoying his coach and the program, Kevin has successfully lost 10 pounds since he started the program!

Kevin attributes his success to the small changes he has made with both his exercise and nutrition as suggested by his coach. He was accustomed to regular cardio workouts. Kevin’s coach explained how he could create more value in his workouts by adding resistance training. His coach also emphasized the importance of eating right in addition to exercise to successfully lose weight. “I was doing some of that, but when you are not combining the eating habits with the exercise you don’t get the results you want. I want to understand why I am doing what I am doing. My coach has given me the resources so that I do understand.”

Kevin’s coach encouraged him to start small with nutritional changes. “My coach set me up on a program where I eat two to three extra small snacks a day and I find that I eat better because I don’t eat as much during a sitting. I get full faster and I don’t get the ‘stuffed feeling’. It is best if I can incorporate fruits and vegetables into those small snacks. I was maybe eating one serving of fruits and vegetables each day before starting the program and now I am eating four a day. I also don’t eat as many sweets as I used to. My coach has really taught me how to eat right.”

In addition to coaching Kevin on his exercise and nutrition, his coach has helped him customize his goals to fit his current circumstances and situations. “My coach set new goals for me while I was recovering from shoulder surgery. She actually called me a few days before to wish me luck and change the goals for me. Since my surgery, we have set new goals that challenge me to eat better. I want to improve myself and my coach has assisted me by keeping up with my progress as I am rehabilitating.”

“The biggest concern I had before joining the program was that I would be just a number; I was pleasantly surprised that I am someone my coach actually knows and wants to help succeed.”

Gene Kramer with Rhodes Bake-N-Serve

Gene Kramer with Rhodes Bake-N-Serve is committed to his health and has successfully won many different competitions through The Apple Program^®.

This last holiday season, Gene was the winner of the “Maintain no Gain” holiday weight loss and maintenance challenge. Gene attributes much of his success to his 4:30am workouts. “I ran up until I was 67 years old and then I started walking. For one whole year I never missed a day. I usually walk about seven miles per day on the treadmill in the mornings. They put a picture up of me at the health club I workout at because I walk so much. One day last year I walked 23 miles.” Gene says that when the weather is nice he will often go for a two mile walk at lunch time as well. He likes the nine mile days. Gene also enjoys going hiking and four-wheeling with his family and friends.

Gene worked with an Apple Health Coach^® last year and says it played a big role in his success. Although he never used to eat breakfast he regularly eats oats every morning and eats at least three servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Gene is proud to say that even though he doesn’t work with a coach this year, he is continuing to work on and achieve his goals by doing what he knows he needs to.

“Everyone needs to have a reason to get up in the morning. Getting up to exercise at 4:30AM is amazing and it keeps me young at heart.”

Deb Arnold with Millard County

Deb Arnold, with Millard County, is successfully continuing to work on her health so that she can continue to meet The Apple Program^® health standard and feel her best. As a result, Deb is spreading her passion for health and wellness with her colleagues and entire family!

“The Apple Program keeps me where I have to be challenged and held accountable. I know that I have to be committed to my health for insurance purposes. Although I am not currently working with a Coach, I feel this is a great opportunity and a no-brainer program. My husband and I are very excited about the program. Why wouldn’t we do it? It saves money for everyone involved.”

Deb has started a swimming group with her daughter, daughters-in-law, and some of her colleagues at work. She said that they drive quite a few miles - rain or snow - at least four times per week so that they can swim. “We go even if we have head colds. The guys stay home and watch the kids and we go out for a fun, healthy, girl’s night. I guess you could say we are die-hards. Once each of us have achieved our health goals we will treat ourselves not with shopping or food but with a country concert in Wendover.”

Deb said that the group is hard to miss in their yellow bathing caps and goggles. They have lots of fun talking while they use their kickboards and flippers. Deb is a great example of making exercise fun, social, and productive. Keep up the great work ladies!

“You are the only one who can change your health. Jump on the band wagon and do it and get everyone else around you to join in!”

Joel Fitzgerald with Ken Garff

Joel Fitzgerald, with Ken Garff, attributes his great success to working with both his Apple Health Coach^® and his physician. Through developing healthy habits, Joel has lost over 60 pounds and his other biometrics have improved significantly!

Joel has made small changes in both his exercise and nutrition to produce big results. Joel set an initial goal to exercise 30 minutes each day. He has now improved to a point that he is working out for an hour every day.

Joel had developed the habit of drinking two to three sodas per day. Working with his coach he set a goal to limit himself to one soda per week which is has not only achieved but now rarely ever drinks soda at all. Additionally Joel only eats whole fruit, has increased his intake of whole grains and nuts and is drinking 80 ounces of water per day. Don’t be surprised to find Joel’s plate half full of vegetables at meal time!

The importance of addressing his health risks was particularly important to Joel who has been dealing with diabetes. Joel recalls that at one point he got really sick and his A1Cs were very high. With the assistance of The Apple Program and his coach, Joel has built a health plan and established goals that have resulted in a 60 pound weight loss! But more importantly that has enabled him to successfully manage his Diabetes. Since the health assessment Joel has dropped his blood sugar by over 100 points and has greatly improved his A1Cs.

“When you are faced with something like that you have to do something. It’s important to keep a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise and you can see how things can go awry if you don’t.”

Charlie Knudsen with Inthinc

Charlie Knudsen with Inthinc has had great health success while working with The Apple Program^®. So far he has lost 30 pounds, lowered his body fat percentage by 8% and, most importantly, he feels great in his body!

Charlie’s wake-up call to be healthy came when he had his health assessment. Initially, he felt that the program would be silly, but after his assessment and talking to his Apple Health Coach^® he realized the possibilities that it held. “My coach gave me tips of things to do that would help me lower my cholesterol. The monthly encouragement through either phone or email really helps me to stay focused on my goals and reminds me to track my progress. I am back in charge of my health.”

After joining The Apple Program, Charlie started exercising a lot more. He said he had never really liked running, but he decided to sign up for a half marathon. At first he could not run a mile but with hard work and dedication Charlie successfully completed his first half marathon in San Antonio last November with a time of approximately two hours. Charlie is currently training for the Ogden Marathon this coming May. On his long runs he completes about 15 miles and is looking forward to hitting the pavement even harder as he gets closer to the event.
In addition to exercise, Charlie decided to make proactive changes in his nutritional habits. Having high cholesterol, his coach recommended that he eat more whole grains and raw vegetables. Additionally, he had never been a breakfast eater and would skip meals. With the help of his Coach he started regulating his meal schedule and portion sizes. He now eats breakfast and tries to eat small portions every three to four hours.

“The Apple program was a wake-up call for me. It helped me realize that I needed to make some lifestyle changes. I now enjoy a healthier life.”

UPDATE:

On May 16th Charlie Knudsen completed the Ogden Marathon. As he says, "It was a great experience, a year ago I didn't think I could or would ever run a marathon." Congratulations Charlie on pushing yourself to reach your goals and continue the great work!