Core Magazine

New Blog Address!

2011-06-14T12:07:00.001-07:00

We've moved current editions of Core Magazine and other great content to our new blog site at Orriant.com/success - come and see!

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We look forward to connecting with you!

Larry Ferguson with Ancestry.com

2011-06-06T15:23:00.001-07:00

About 23 years ago, Larry Ferguson, spouse of an employee of Ancestry.com, suffered a severe back injury. Over the years, his back has improved little by little, but he was not able to stay as active as he would have liked. This resulted in steady weight gain and Larry was not sure how to get his health back. He reports that The Apple Program has been the spark that got him on track toward a healthier lifestyle.

Larry has since lowered his triglycerides and blood glucose, boosted his “good” cholesterol, and dropped a pant size over the past year. Ferguson also feels that one of his biggest successes is that he can now walk up to 2 miles at a time. After his back injury limited his ability to even walk a few feet, working his way up to 2 miles is a huge physical and emotional accomplishment.

Larry’s goals include eating five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, walking 1.5 miles three times a week, and lifting weights one to two times a week. He states that with constant encouragement from his Apple Health Coach he has had success in working hard at his goals. Mr. Ferguson also added, “My Health Coach is the key to keeping me going on this program. We talk monthly and set reachable goals that keep me working. Her positive attitude makes me want to try harder.”

When asked if he would have been successful in improving his health if his company had not offered the Apple Program, Larry responded, “No, I have tried other programs and I would hold strong for a while, but the spark would soon leave. With this program they have wonderful Health Coaches that are concerned with my health; I find myself more motivated to keep it up knowing I report to someone each month.”

Changing his habits has made Larry Ferguson’s life more enjoyable. He states, “Emotionally, I feel better and can see that the more active I am, the happier I am. I have a greater sense of accomplishment because I can do more.” Larry has plans to reach his goal weight of 200 pounds, reach a 36-inch waist and work his way up to walking 5 miles. He says, “I now think my long-term goals are actually reachable, not just wishful thinking. I know if I continue to follow the advice of my Apple Health Coach and keep trying to improve, I will eventually reach my long term goals. This will result in a longer and much happier life.”

Stephen Holm With Associated Retail Stores

2011-06-03T14:56:00.001-07:00

Regular walking and making changes to his diet have helped Steve Holm with Associated Retail Stores improve his health across the board. Since January 2011, he has lost 64 pounds, lowered his blood pressure and improved his cholesterol enough that his doctor says he no longer needs cholesterol medication. The Apple Program has been a useful tool for Steve as he continues to maintain the healthy habits he has developed.

The first step for Steve was admitting to himself that he needed to make some changes. Once he accepted that, he was able to put together a plan with his Apple Health Coach. His Apple Health Coach gave him advice, recommendations, and also listened to him. Steve says, “More than anything, she listened to me complain about the pre-assessment, the goals, the weight that I need to reach, etc. After that, she helped me put together a plan to work on my health little by little until it became a daily habit. I will always be indebted to her for her listening skills.”

Steve’s plan included increasing his physical activity efforts by walking more. He purchased a pedometer and found that he walks approximately 5 miles with each 10,000 steps he takes. He has logged over 1 million steps since January 2011 and has walked over 530 miles.

Mr. Holm has had the goal of improving his health for over 5 years. He found that being accountable to himself and to his coach helped him achieve success. He added, “To be truly successful in a wellness program, I believe you need to hold yourself accountable for your actions and desired results. Working with and through my Apple Health Coach keeps me guided in the right direction with my eye on the prize. It’s like climbing Mt. Everest; it’s easy getting to the top, however, more people die coming down because they lack the necessary focus.”

This is the first time in Steve’s career that he has worked with a company that has offered a wellness program like The Apple Program. He says, “To me, it is a reflection of how we are treated as Team Members. Our company genuinely cares about me as an individual and my personal health. They want me to perform at my very best which includes all aspects of the social, economic, spiritual, and physical levels.”

With the health habits Steve has now developed, he has found he has increased energy and a new inner confidence. He states, “I have so much energy at times I can hardly contain myself. I feel like I have given myself back an additional 7-10 years of my life that, at my age, will come in handy.” Holm finally feels that he has his health back.

For others looking to reach health-related goals, Steve counsels, “You need to find a program that you can sustain in your day to day operation of life. You need to choose a program that you can work into your daily routine without having to sacrifice a great amount of time. I have chosen to walk simply because it is the most sustained weight loss exercise. Everyone has time in their busy life to walk at least 10,000 steps. Once you have reached that goal, the sky is the limit.”

Jeff Brown with Clyde Companies, Inc.

2011-04-25T14:55:00.001-07:00

Jeff Brown whom is associated with Clyde has had great success in improving his lifestyle over the past year. From 2009 to 2010, Jeff showed improvements in every health score that did not previously meet Clyde’s guidelines. Much of his success is linked to his 20 pound weight loss, which he accomplished by changing the way he ate and by developing a routine exercise program.

Jeff states, “Before I started The Apple Program® I noticed my clothes were starting to fit a little tighter, and I didn’t like that. Luckily for me, just after I was hired with the company, the wellness program came along and helped get me moving! Through the process, I’ve learned how to eat better; I now include more whole grains, watch my portions, and eat lots of vegetables. I also developed a more structured exercise routine. Although I already do a lot of lifting at my job, I realized I needed to add more cardio. I now do 60 to 90 minutes of cardio, two to three days per week.”

The habits Jeff has formed have allowed him to reach his ideal weight and maintain it for close to a year now. He attributes some of his success to being able to keep track of his progress in his online Apple Portal®. “The process of tracking taught me to become more aware of what I was eating, and I like the design behind the goal system; you don’t have to get 100% on all of your goals, but it still keeps the areas you’re working on in your mind.”

“With the incentive our company offers, I think it would be crazy for anyone to not be a part of The Apple Program! You can save substantial amounts of money, and it’s not a painful process,” states Jeff.

If you’re seeking to have the same success Jeff has experienced, he advises, “Eat less; don’t eat until you’re full, instead eat until you are fine. Once a month or so it’s okay to indulge a little when eating out, but if you eat well for all of your other meals you’ll be okay. This will save you calories and contribute to the weight loss you want to see.”

Steve & BJ Nebeker with Young Automotive

2011-04-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

Together Steve and BJ Nebeker of Young Automotive have lost over 120 pounds since joining The Apple Program just eight months ago. With the help and direction of their health coaches, Steve and BJ have learned the skills necessary to build a healthy eating regimen and routine exercise program. Their lifestyle is now completely different. Not only have their physiques changed, but their lipid profiles and other health scores have improved and are completely different than they were at the end of last summer.

Exactly what’s different in their lifestyle? First of all, the two of them never used to eat breakfast. A normal day once consisted of consuming a big lunch and dinner, coming home from work, and being sedentary in front of the television for a few hours before going to bed, then repeating the same actions the next day. Now both Steve and BJ eat a balanced breakfast, complete with fiber and lean protein. They eat often throughout the day now by having more than just the main meals. Steve eats six times per day, for example, snacking on a bag of fruit he’s brought to work that day. BJ also states, “I’ve eaten more fruit and vegetables in the past eight months than I have in the first 50 years of my life!” BJ never used to eat asparagus or spinach, but now she can’t get enough of them! The Nebekers have also cut out certain foods such as deep fried products and have also cut back on diet soda. BJ was drinking four liters of diet soda on a typical day before joining the program; now she uses moderation and has only a 16.9 fluid ounce bottle per day.

Not only are their eating habits completely different, but both of their exercise routines have changed as well. “I walk between seven and eight miles a day, at least four times a week,” states BJ. “When the weather is nice I walk my dogs, but in the winter I use my treadmill.” She adds, “Anyone can do this too! Start small and keep working at it. Begin with 10 minutes, and then try to increase it to 12 the next day. When I first started I couldn’t even do five miles in two hours, and now I can easily do 8.5 miles in two hours.” BJ is grateful that she has proved those wrong who say it’s impossible to lose weight over the age of 40. She states, “I proved that wrong because I’m 51, and I did it! You just can’t think of the process as a diet, because everyone is on a diet whether it’s good or bad. Just choose to make it a diet with good food, moderation, and exercise, because you have to move it too in order to lose it! And remember if one week you don’t lose weight, you need to adjust something with the diet and exercise.”

Steve and BJ’s changes have not only led them to tossing out their old clothes, but Steve has been able to throw out the old medication he was forced to be on. He states, “I’ve known for some time that I had a cholesterol problem. I’d been to my doctor, and he put me on medication. I had been on it for two years, and my levels continued to remain high. I’ve come to learn that you can’t rely solely on the medication. You have to make changes in your eating habits to do any good. I’m now off the medication and my doctor has said, ‘Whatever it is you’re doing, keep doing it!’”

Not only has Steve improved his cholesterol, but he and BJ have both improved their triglycerides, blood pressure, and glucose. Steve and BJ both admit, “Without The Apple program we definitely wouldn’t have made these changes. It opened our eyes and we’re both grateful for it.” Steve states, “Although BJ wanted us to join the program to save money on our insurance, in the long run I don’t think we’ve saved money because we’ve been forced to buy a new wardrobe! But it’s been a fun process!” BJ further states, “I can now wear high heels for the first time in my life, and I can now buy cute women’s clothing too!”

Although BJ had lost weight in the past, she admits, “I did it the wrong way. I would starve myself or use diet pills and then slowly put it back on. My Health Coach has taught me though how to lose weight the right way. We’ve changed our whole lifestyle and now have the skills necessary to keep the weight off now and down the road. I want to be an involved grandmother when the time comes. I want to be around for my grandkids and be a fun grandma to them, the one who can play with them, and I honestly don’t think I could’ve done this on my own. Steve being by my side, helping me along the way, was a huge help. Instead of us coming home and being in front of the TV for hours before going to bed, we now come home, exercise, have dinner, and then sit down and still have time to relax.”

BJ and Steve both look forward to the future. Steve is excited to get back into cycling this spring and summer and plans to take off his final 10 pounds. BJ is looking forward to maintaining her goal weight and is glad that she’s no longer afraid of scales. “I hadn’t weighed myself for five years before The Apple Program came along,” BJ comments, “but now I know where I am, and I’m confident that I can stay there!”

Layne Huntsman with Imergent

2011-03-16T15:59:00.001-07:00

Layne Huntsman of Imergent has concentrated his efforts on improving his cholesterol, achieving better fitness, and losing weight. When Layne started The Apple Program® three years ago, he learned for the first time that his cholesterol was high. This prompted him to see his doctor and take the steps necessary to get his health scores in check.

He admits that at first, he wasn’t very diligent about following the guidelines he was given, but when he saw that his numbers weren’t improving from year to year, he decided to take action. He decided to set a goal in his Apple Wellness Portal designed to help follow his doctor’s recommendations. That constant reminder finally enabled him to see the improvements in his scores he had been hoping for!

Layne knew he couldn’t rely solely on medication to get his health where he wanted it to be, so he also began exercising for 60 minutes, three times per week. The added exercise has given him the increase in energy and improved well-being he had hoped for. His efforts have also led to a weight loss of 16 pounds and his blood pressure has improved as well.

Layne attributes his success to setting goals and tracking his efforts online in his Apple account. “I think tracking has helped the most,” states Layne. “My Apple Health Coach’s encouragement along the way was also helpful.”

He’s grateful that his company joined this wellness program because he didn’t know his health was out of line. “I’ve always felt fairly healthy, but my wakeup call came at my first Apple Health Assessment, where I learned my cholesterol was out of whack. It prompted me to visit my doctor, and I soon learned how serious my condition could become if I didn’t act on it,” adds Layne. “I’ve developed very good habits now that will enable me to stay healthy.”

Layne plans to maintain his success by training for a sprint triathlon, which he hopes to complete this summer. He’s grateful that he has the energy to do this as well as other things he loves including water and snow skiing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, and teasing his kids whom he states can’t keep up with their “old man!”

To others who are seeking to improve their health, Layne reminds you to, “Set realistic, achievable goals and be consistent in your efforts.”

Jason Russell with Max International

2011-02-23T16:46:00.000-08:00

Max International’s Jason Russell has learned the methods needed to maintain a healthy weight and keep his other health scores, including cholesterol, in check through the help offered by The Apple Program®. When he started the program in 2010, his Apple Health CoachSM encouraged him to look at areas of his nutrition and exercise habits that could be improved to achieve the ideal health he desired. “I decided to set goals related to monitoring portions and engaging in cardio exercise,” notes Jason. “As the year went on I became stronger, built endurance, and gained tools needed to keep my eating habits in check.”

When the year began Jason said he was pretty diligent about using his at-home exercise bike. He started with 30 minute workouts four times a week and soon built to 45 minutes five and sometimes six days a week. When the weather warmed up, he was excited to resume his running program. He would take morning jogs around his neighborhood using electronic monitors to track his progress. He went from his usual 5K runs to more than four miles at a time. Jason states, “I used to joke with my kids when I got back from running that I had set a new world record. It's true, because no one else was running that route!”

Aside from focusing on exercise, Jason knew he needed to watch his eating habits. “I love to eat and cook, and the pleasures of food are often hard for me to resist. In that sense, limiting my portions has sometimes been a challenge, but I have become more comfortable with the idea that it's okay to feel a little hungry and there's nothing wrong with having, say, half a Cafe Rio burrito for lunch, and then having the other half the next day.”

To keep his food intake in check, Jason used an online tool to track his weight loss. The tool enabled him to enter his starting weight, how many pounds he wanted to lose, and how quickly. It then gave him a daily calorie budget to help him meet his goals. “My budget was 1,900 calories a day, but I was actually aiming for 1,400 daily calories for most of the summer. By the end of July, I was down to 161.9 pounds; I weighed 175 when I started. I was of course making healthy choices in my diet,” states Jason. Through the course of the year he made healthy substitutions in his eating habits, for example, he began using soy milk with his cereal and later transitioning to almond milk. “I was pretty confident that my efforts would show improvements in my cholesterol, and sure enough the assessment in December showed it had; the overall cholesterol number was down, the HDLs were up, and the LDLs were down.”

Jason has known for some time that he needed to take steps to reduce his cholesterol. “My doctor was not ready to put me on medication, but having worked now at a few places where wellness was a focus, I was aware of the implications of high cholesterol. My weight has never been much of a concern for me. I've been around 166-167 for years, but in the fall of 2009, my weight was slowly but steadily going up. I was hovering around 175 for awhile, with occasional spikes up to 179. I wanted to get back to where I had been instead of making 175 my new normal.”

Jason adds, “I had actually tried an online tool in the past but only briefly. I think working with The Apple Program gave me much more discipline to make the online tracker work for me. It was like a perfect storm of wellness. I can't imagine I would have been as successful without this program; it gave me the full awareness I needed. My Health Coach was also a great help. The monthly follow-up calls motivated me because I didn't want to report in that I hadn't done my ‘homework’ as it were. She gave me some good techniques, such as target heart rate, and gave me some good input on healthy snack choices. A previous employer had a wellness program, but the follow-up wasn't nearly as robust, so it made a big difference this go-around.”

“I feel like this program has made me more aware of what I'm taking in, in terms of calories. I have been running fairly regularly since 2005, but didn't see a concurrent drop in weight or improvement in my cholesterol. I believe the missing piece was a better understanding of how each calorie adds up. I had previously been careful about saturated fat in my diet, but of course the foods we eat all have calories. For example, I was shocked when I learned how many calories were in a serving of rice. Most people would probably consider rice to be quite healthy, and I agree with that but having the knowledge of its calorie content really opened my eyes. The arithmetic is pretty simple: to lose weight, you need to expend more calories than you take in, and having the follow-up of this program, coupled with the knowledge I was accumulating both from within and without the program, made it all happen.”

“The changes I’ve made have given me the confidence that if I see my biometrics heading in the wrong direction I know how to make better choices that will get me back on the healthy path. I'd also like to think that as my kids see my exercising four, five, and even six times a week, and making healthy dietary choices, they will be motivated to do the same. My advice to others is once you decide you are going to make a healthy change in your life, act on it immediately. Instead of telling yourself, ‘I’m going to start an exercise program next month.’ Why not start it now? Don't create barriers for yourself. Make a commitment that you will continue to work at it. Even if you can only run 400 meters today, you can be running five miles in just a few months!”

Mark & Jesslyn Weaver with Ancestry.com

2011-02-23T16:44:00.001-08:00

Together Mark and Jesslyn Weaver of Ancestry.com have lost 120 pounds, and for the first time in several years they are both at a healthy BMI. Change began for this couple shortly after their initial Apple Health AssessmentSM in 2010 (right before their twin girls turned one). Their scores prompted them to take action on their health for the benefit of their children. Exercise and eating habits soon began to evolve, and they’ve since had tremendous success in their health, not only in dropping pounds but also in lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels!

They started with small steps, but soon those steps turned into habits, and habits became a lifestyle. They took their first step forward by using equipment they already had access to by putting their home gym to use, which they had set up but had neglected before their twins were born. They note, “Tracking our goals each week in the Apple Portal really helped develop these small steps (such as exercising regularly and eating smarter portions) into a new lifestyle. Our Apple Health CoachesSM were also a help! Checking in with them monthly helped us keep our goals in focus. It’s so easy to forget the big picture, get tired, or frustrated, but they were great cheerleaders when we needed them.”

They attribute many of their changes to The Apple Program®. Mark comments, “Setting realistic goals, tracking them regularly, and discussing them with our coach was a huge key to our success. Our weight loss program was the other piece missing all these years. We almost never drank soda and rarely ate junk food but we now know we were not eating a healthy diet. We ate sporadically, rarely included enough vegetables, and our portions were completely distorted. Now we eat six small, healthy meals a day. We understand proper portion control and have learned that incorporating the right food is easy.”

Jesslyn states, “It’s very likely we would still be struggling had this program not been available to help us turn our desires into actions. It definitely came at the right time. Many years of struggling without success proved something was missing. We have both battled obesity since high school. Losing weight hasn’t simply been a goal; it’s been a heavy burden weighing on our shoulders for many years. It was the main cause of our health problems and was the biggest change we wanted to make in 2010. At the beginning of the summer we started exploring options to make our weight loss happen faster and were blessed to discover an easy eating program; it helped us solidify our goal of healthy eating and we both lost 50 pounds before Christmas! ”

Their future goals are to maintain their weight loss and help others achieve their goals. Jesslyn plans to start Latin dance classes again; Mark wants to finish a marathon before he’s 40; and they both want to complete a mini triathlon. Mark says, “If you had told us a year ago that next year we’d be at healthy BMI’s and helping others achieve their goals, we would’ve had a good laugh.” They’re now living the life they’ve dreamed of for so long! Mark adds, “We hope our girls never remember us as overweight and out of shape; instead, we want to be great examples to them of living an active, healthy life. It will greatly increase the chance of them never struggling with weight like we did.”

They remind others that, “Reaching your goals doesn’t happen by being perfect; it happens by being persistent. Some days were easy, some days weren’t. Track your small goals and before you know it you’ll have reached your big goals!”

Bill Yetman with Ancestry.com

2010-12-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

Bill Yetman of Ancestry.com has made tremendous changes in his lifestyle since his initial Apple Health AssessmentSM last winter. Follow his assessment his evaluation indicated he was overweight and had high blood pressure. Bill felt like a “fat boy with high blood pressure” who needed to make modifications. He decided to start making changes by getting in shape and staying that way. He’s since lost over 50 pounds, dropped five pants sizes, and consequently lowered his blood pressure!

Bill accomplished these improvements by biking over 2200 miles on his road bike this year and hiking in the Draper trails even when if it was cold and rainy. He also learned to improve his eating habits by eating and enjoying more greens and limiting fatty junk food. His wife, Liliana, also helped him improve his eating habits by following the 30 Minute South Beach Cookbook and planning and preparing healthy meals for both of us. “She found recipes that were tasty and good for me,” reports Bill. He adds, “My daughter, Shanna, also visited me shortly after my assessment and taught me how to count calories. It was an eye-opening revelation to actually write down what I ate in a single day and calculate the calories. I learned that if you change what you eat, you could ‘diet’ without being hungry and if I went back for seconds it was for vegetables or a piece of fruit. That was a big change.” He realized his tactics were working when he lost his first 10 pounds. “I felt better and that made it easy to keep going.”

“The Apple Program® was the final straw to get me moving,” Bill says. “I was thinking about doing this but being part of the program helped me go from thinking to doing. Without the program I would probably still weigh above 240 and still be thinking about losing weight and getting in shape.”

Bill states that his Apple Health CoachSM was also very encouraging and positive. “She suggested some core exercises for me to compliment all the leg work I was doing on my bike. Having someone you must contact once a month and check in with helped keep me on course. It was nice to have an extra reminder.” At various times in Bill’s life he’s been very athletic and in shape. In college he swam and played water polo, working out twice a day, 6 days per week. At that time he weighed 180 pounds. He indicates, “I was 21 and in the best shape of my life. Right now I am only 10 pounds away from that weight and almost in as good a shape--and I’m a lot older.”

Bill’s future goals are to maintain his fitness strength and keep the weight off. To do this he plans to workout at least one hour a day for a minimum of five days a week. His added energy, focus, and drive keep him motivated to stay in shape. He has also seen that his ability to climb hills on his bike a lot easier, and his added strength and stamina that he thought he had left behind for good years ago also help keep him focused on his goals. “The process was painful, and I had to get in shape slowly but it worked!” reports Bill.

Bill’s advice to other is, “If you’re trying to get in shape and exercise, start slow, and build up a little at a time. Build an aerobic base and then push a little farther and challenge yourself. Consistently making little gains over long periods will result in big changes. Finally remember the slogan, ‘Just do it.’”

Dale Watkins with Washington County

2010-12-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

Dale Watkins of Washington County is winning his battle with weight loss with the assistance of The Apple Program®. Throughout Dale’s life, he’s wanted to lose weight but never saw any lasting progress. This changed on Memorial Day of 2010 when he and his wife decided together that it was time to make changes. With his wife’s assistance and his Apple Health Coach’s SM support, Dale has lost over 30 pounds since June 1st and has improved several other aspects of his health biometric scores.

When Dale initially joined The Apple Program® he designed goals for himself that were good, but not very challenging, because he wasn’t extremely committed to making a change. When he saw little improvement at his next Apple Health Assessment SM he knew something really needed to change. Dale indicates he was “a health disaster waiting to happen.” He adds, “I think everyone wants to take better care of themselves, but truly doing something about it is where the rubber meets the road. You have to decide to act. I didn’t and I saw the consequences, but with the support of this program and my wife, I am now reaping the benefits. I feel better mentally and physically, and I weigh less. Without this program, I would still be in denial, starting other programs and eventually giving up, but with this program I get support, praise, and encouragement to keep me motivated.”

Designing real goals helped Dale have success. Walking was a key component for his fitness. “When I walk with my walking partner, Brinkley, my golden retriever, I feel better; it energizes me, and I consequently have a better attitude when I wake up in the morning! I have found a new willpower and I am not willing to look back.”

Dale plans to lose another 30 pounds by next June and anticipates seeing more improvements in his scores at his next Apple Health Assessment SM. To accomplish this he will continue to follow a quote that has motivated him to get make changes thus far, “The pain of change is never overcome until the benefit of the change is realized.” Dale indicates, “I used to set goals but would find ways around them, thus I never realized the benefit. I have now realized the benefit of a healthier lifestyle, and it is good. Another quote I live by is, ‘Kites rise against, not with, the wind.’ Resistance is a fact of life; what we need to do is learn to harness or control those things that are thrown against us and use them to our advantage; when we have overcome them or subdued them then we rise above and are in control of the resistance, rather than it controlling us.”

Jacob Case with Max International

2010-12-17T12:50:00.000-08:00

When Jacob Case with Max International finished college in the fall of 2009, he decided it was time to get in shape. For six years he had faced frustration with his weight, excelling in school but not in his health. Shortly after graduation he began making changes. His workplace then teamed up with The Apple Program® and he’s since lost 50 pounds!

Jacob has known for some time that he needed to improve his blood pressure, but he didn’t realize that his weight was also putting him in high risk health categories. To move his scores to normal levels he set goals related to nutrition improvement and increased exercise. Jacob states, “My goal this year was to run 365 miles and ride my mountain bike for 750 miles. I’ve run 620 miles and biked 650 so far!” Several weeks have passed since, so Jacob has likely well exceeded his goal.

“The Apple Program® has helped me in numerous ways. I knew I was heavy and needed to lose some weight, but it was learning of the other factors (hypertension, high body fat percentage, and BMI) that really reinforced my purpose to get healthier. Talking with my health coach has also helped generate new ideas. For example, I try to eat about 2,700 calories each day, 30% from protein, 50% from carbohydrates, 5% from saturated fat, and 15% from unsaturated fat. Trying to maintain calorie amounts and ratios became a challenge until I discussed this with my health coach. She gave me several new ideas about foods to integrate into my diet. She has also helped me with running advice and discussion with exercise such as why I should have good running shoes and how important stretching is,” notes Jacob. He adds, “I think the program has added knowledge and motivation that I wouldn't have otherwise had. I learned more about my health, as well as gained support and ideas about how to maintain variety in my diet and workout plan.”

Jacob has learned things from his Apple Health CoachSM that he otherwise may have never known, for example, he though his sodium and caffeine consumptions were at normal levels, but then learned he was actually consuming 300% of normal sodium requirement. Jacob’s coach helped by giving him ideas to reduce his intake of those ingredients, which has helped him lower his blood pressure to a normal level. Jacob states, “Talking with a health coach is good because you know they will ask you about your goals and give you ideas about them. Tracking the goals is also great because it's a way to hold yourself accountable. Just having a health-minded mentor there to bounce ideas off of and check yourself with is a great advantage. Furthermore, although I already know much of the material at the quarterly brown bag meetings, I always come away from the meeting with at least a few new ideas and concepts that I can integrate. Some things that I already knew I still need to be reminded of, and the brown bag meetings are good for that.”

Jacob knows that his success would not have come unless he was able to change his behaviors. “I remember saying ‘I have a slow metabolism,’ but that was before I started tracking my diet and learned that I didn't eat well. After taking ownership of my diet, I found that my metabolism is not slow at all. The Apple Program® and the health coach helped to facilitate the process of improving my health. Specifically, I would say that goal setting and periodic evaluation of those goals with the health coach is how I've succeeded.”

Jacob suggests, “You have to decide why you want to reach your goals and believe in those reasons; they're different for everyone. This summer I got into racing mountain bikes. Much of my motivation and purpose for wanting to lose weight, in addition to getting healthy, was to be able to compete in the mountain bike races. I competed in 5 mountain bike races, 2 half marathons (Ogden and Park City in 1:45, and 1:47 respectively) and ran the St. George marathon in 3:50:22. While losing the weight and conditioning, I went from running a 10:30 mile pace to around an 8 minute mile. Physical performance is one of the biggest reasons I've become so concerned with my health. It's very satisfying and adds a level of fulfillment to my life.”

Saying yes to challenges and stepping out of your comfort zone is important to Jacob. He was invited by a team to run the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay last June when they had a teammate drop out at the last minute and needed a replacement. Because a member of the team knew he was training for the St. George marathon, they invited him to join. He was uncertain about it, but did it anyway. It was a great experience for him. He made several new friends that weekend, and they all formed another team for the Las Vegas Ragnar, which was just last weekend. Jacob states, “Doing activities in groups and gaining friendships with people who are into fitness is important, because values rub off on one another, and you can gain insight from those friends when you talk to them. That's why it's also important to get your spouse on the same page; my wife and I are on the same page with our diet and exercise, and it helps tremendously.”

Jacob’s future goals include maintaining the fitness he’s implemented and become more competitive with mountain biking and running. He’s grateful that he has achieved efficacy (the capacity for producing a desired result) in his life and is able to do what he wants with physical activities.

His advice to others is to, “Find balance and sustainability. You have to keep balance in your life or the program that you're on is not Sustainable. I see the need for balance when I start to get annoyed with not eating appealing foods because of its nutritional content. When this happens, I loosen my diet for a meal or two. I don't go overboard; I just force myself to be ok with eating a less than perfect meal, such as having desert, or a larger portion. It's better to eat one or two less than perfect meals than it is to fall off the bandwagon for several weeks. By the end of the month, if you've eaten a handful of less than perfect meals but the rest of the time you ate clean, then your overall diet is excellent. It's also good to remind yourself that fitness will ebb and flow to a certain extent. When I start to get burned out of exercising, or a certain type of exercise, I'll try to switch it up, or replace it with another activity. Sometimes I realize that I haven't spent as much time with my wife as I should be, so I won't work out that day and go do something with her instead. Also remember that early on, you will get extremely sore from exercise. This is also when it's the most discouraging. Keeping balance in your life will help you from getting burned out and discouraged and is the best way to find a sustainable, healthy routine to adhere to over the long run.”

Scott Murdock with Wheeler Cat

2010-11-03T15:00:00.001-07:00

Scott Murdock with Wheeler Cat has noticed great changes in his lifestyle since joining The Apple Program®. Being accountable to someone has encouraged Scott to set and meet short and long term goals. As a result, increased energy and vibrancy in life are just some of the benefits Scott has noticed.

Prior to joining the program, Scott had asthmatic problems and was often tired but now he’s improving his cardio endurance by engaging in activities such as spin classes. Since Scott began doing this, he’s noticed improvements not only in his physique with weight loss, but he’s also experiencing fewer asthma related complications and isn’t as tired as he once was. “I have more energy to play with my kids and accomplish my tasks,” Scott says.

One thing that motivated Scott to begin pushing himself was purchasing a watch with a heart rate monitor which has helped him get his heart rate up to his target zone. This has increased his stamina and endurance and has enabled him to set goals he was once unable to achieve, like attempting to bike up mountains. Scott’s said, “It’s nice to be in enough shape that I can actually do that type of activity.”

Scott reports that he wouldn’t have had the success he’s had if his company hadn’t offered The Apple Program®. He’s said, “The accountability and educational aspects of the program have helped me; it’s exactly what I needed. My Apple Health Coach™ has helped get me on track by answering various questions related to my dietary goals.”

His goals for the future include continuing to lower his body fat. He plans to do that by creating a caloric deficiency, cutting back between 200 and 300 calories per day. “I’ve found that I’m able to do that by eating more protein and fiber, which helps me stay full longer. I’m also eating smaller meals more often.”

Scott is grateful that these changes are not only creating savings in terms of health care, but also increasing the quality and years of his life. His advice to others is, “If I can do it, you can too!”

Paul Stokes with Clyde Companies Inc.

2010-10-27T15:57:00.001-07:00

Paul Stokes of Clyde Companies Inc. has lost 35 pounds over the past year by altering his eating habits and exercise routine. His determination to get back to the physical shape he was in years ago led him to his path to change. By participating in The Apple Program®, Paul notes that he became more aware of his health habits and gained the education needed to improve his lifestyle.

He started by cutting back on sugar and limiting his snacks. Paul also started to gradually incorporate exercise, and notes that each month, “My coach helped challenge me to add a new goal to continue my progression and take me to the next level. I have now lost the weight I wanted to and have not gained it back.”

Losing weight is something Paul has wanted for a long time in his life. He knew that he needed to get his health in track, so he could avoid the risk of developing heart disease in addition to improving his overall heart health. Paul states, “The wellness program has helped me learn how to be a better eater and more active person. I understand why it is important to exercise regularly and eat healthy. I have made the decision to change my eating habits and to exercise. The combination of these things has helped me maintain my weight loss. I attribute my success to the Apple Program and to my wife. Working together as a family has made it a lot easier to change the way I treat myself.”

Paul plans to maintain his progress by focusing on eating healthy and exercising regularly. He hopes to run a triathlon sprint next year with his brother-in-law. He also adds, “I don’t think I will do anything crazy like run a marathon, but who knows? Maybe I will get in good enough shape that I will feel like doing that someday!”

Paul is grateful that the changes he’s made have given him more confidence and enabled him to be a better example to his children and family. “I want all of us to live a healthy life, and I feel that these steps I’ve taken will help.”

Paul concludes, “My advice to others is, find a way to take little steps to becoming healthier. If you don’t like to exercise, make small goals to walk longer each day. Little by little, you will find that you like to exercise. Also, enjoy the outdoors. It is great to go outside, breathe fresh air and enjoy the beautiful scenery. My last piece of advice is simple, eat less sugar and starches and consume more veggies.”

Gail Duarte with South Shore Medical Center

2010-10-13T09:53:00.001-07:00

Gail Duarte of South Shore Medical Center has made tremendous changes in her health and lifestyle in the past two and half a years. Her path to a better wellbeing began when she turned 50 and had an annual physical with her doctor at South Shore. Her results came back, and she discovered she weighed almost 270 pounds, was borderline diabetic, and had cholesterol and blood pressure levels through the roof. Her desire to change came that day when her physician took her by the hand and brought her down to see Laura, a physician assistant specializing in diabetes. This was just the beginning of her journey.

A year later Gail found herself 80 pounds lighter! She was still fearful, however, because she had lost weight like this in the past but then would put it back on. She knew it is one thing to take the weight off, another to keep it off. “I’ve since learned that to be successful with managing weight loss, you have to make a lifestyle change and be an overall healthy being; until you learn that and live by that day to day, you won’t achieve your goals,” says Gail. “I was able to maintain my weight for a full year, and then The Apple Program® came in. I needed a coach only because of BMI, as my ideal weight for my height is 140. I’m nearly 10 pounds away from my ultimate goal weight and plan to reach that by my next Apple Health Assessment™ in December!”

At Gail’s most recent annual exam with her doctor her scores came back better than ever with a blood pressure of 118 over 70, an A1C reading down from 10 to 5.0, triglycerides at 117, glucose reading of 89 down from 113 only six months ago, and a total cholesterol of 131 with HDL’s at 40 and LDL’s at just 69!

Gail has picked up several tips over the past three years that have led to this success. She reports that cutting back on carbs and doing little things like chewing on sugar free gum, contemplating her food choices before each meal, or simply getting a breath of fresh air have all helped. “I try to stay away from any white foods except cauliflower! I’ve cut out a lot of potatoes and breads and have substituted it with things like soup, lettuce wraps, or vegetables. If I do have carbs I try to eat them earlier in the day (for breakfast or sometimes lunch), so I can burn it off; even when I do eat carbs, it’s complex carbs such as brown rice, low cal whole wheat breads, or whole wheat pasta.” Gail has also found exercises that she loves including Zumba classes and brisk walks. “I try to do 70 minutes of cardio, three times per week,” says Gail.

Gail would like to thank all those who have attributed to her success. “The Coaches at The Apple Program are all great. I’m also appreciative to those at my medical center who have helped me get me fit. We’re asking others to be healthy, so we have to be healthy ourselves, which is why our company took on The Apple Program®. It’s been a full circle, and I couldn’t have done this alone. My husband of 34 years has been a great support, as he’s altered his cooking to help us both be healthy.”

For more tips, Gail suggests reading Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch. Her advice to others is, “To change our lives, we must first change our minds. You have to make a lifestyle change; you can’t lose weight and think you’re done.”

Rhonda Sanchez with Harmons

2010-10-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Rhonda Sanchez of Harmons has made tremendous lifestyle improvements since joining the Apple Program®. Not only has she implemented changes in her eating habits by reading nutrition labels on foods, but she’s also quit smoking and has implemented an exercise routine in hopes of improving her long-term health including her cholesterol levels.

“In the beginning,” Rhonda admits, “I joined the Apple Program® because of the financial incentive. As time has gone on, however, I’ve realized I need to make changes in my health. I am a proud single parent of a beautiful, amazing, 13 year old daughter, and it became apparent that if I didn’t make changes, I may not be around to watch her become a successful adult.” With the support of the Apple Program, including an Apple Health Coach™, Rhonda received the tools needed to get her health on track. “There’s no way I would have ever been this successful without the program. I’ve had a tremendous amount of support.”

Rhonda began focusing on making small changes with her health in order to combat smoking. “My coach gave me tips on quitting. For instance, we talked about how I could go a whole day at work without smoking, and how I could refrain from smoking on my days off. One helpful thing was locking my cigarettes in the trunk of my car, so if I wanted one I would have to go down three flights of stairs and unlock the trunk to get one. That helped because it made me assess whether or not I really wanted one.”

Rhonda now feels like she has the support and tools to make healthy choices for the rest of her life. She’s grateful for the encouragement offered by her daughter as well as her Apple Health Coach, and for the opportunity to be in the Apple Program. She’s especially delighted that her daughter has a healthy example and will no longer be exposed to the effects of secondhand smoke. She reminds others to, “Take it one day at a time and never give up. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. We’re all a work in progress.”

Shane Mather with Rhodes Bake-N-Serve

2010-08-31T10:57:00.000-07:00

Shane Mather of Rhodes Bake-N-Serv has sought to lose 30 pounds since joining the Apple Program® in order to obtain the weight he was in high school. With the suggestions and reminders round in the program, Shane has met his goal and consequently lowered his BMI. He’s now working to maintain his success and feels confident that he’ll stay on track for his annual Apple Health Assessments™ from here on out.

Shane began making changes by simply making up his mind to lose the weight and deciding to do it. His Apple Health Coach™ helped keep him on track by educating him in aspects of nutrition. “She told me what to avoid as far as ingredients in food,” says Shane. He also decided to cut back on eating in the evenings and added high fiber foods like fruit and flaxseed.

To further his progress, he incorporated regular exercise. He set the goal of exercising three times a week for 30 minutes, but often exceeded that. Although Shane has always been an active person, he’s found that losing the extra 30 pounds has added even more energy to his life. “An extra 30 pounds is a lot to pack around all the time.”

His efforts brought results, as he improved all aspects of his biometrics. Shane’s advice to others who are seeking to improve their health is to apply a quote given by Plato, “The first and greatest victory is to conquer self.” Shane says, “Just make it happen.”

Matthew Christensen with Ancestry.com

2010-08-31T10:49:00.000-07:00

Matthew Christensen of Ancestry.com has been working with the Apple Program® to regain good health. He put on some “happy married weight,” as he puts it, and has been determined to lose the weight he gained and improve other aspects of his health. With the motivation and principles of the Apple Program®, Matt has not only lost 20 pounds, but he’s also lowered his blood pressure and cholesterol and feels better when competing in sports.

Matthew knew his family health history and understood that he was at a high risk for developing health complications, but he also understood that modifications such as losing weight and eating healthy could improve his odds of steering clear of health problems. With that in mind, Matthew began making changes in his lifestyle by planning ahead. “I try to map out my meals for the next day, so there’s no guessing or random snacking. I also plan my workouts for the week on Sundays. This program’s really taught me to plan out my days so they are healthier.”

“I’ve wanted to make these changes for some time now, but the accountability aspects of the program got me motivated. Having a coach, goals to track on a website, and rewards at the end pushed me to succeed. My coach was very positive and gave me great ideas to make my goals easier to accomplish. She challenged me to continue to build upon my goals to have more success.”

Matthew’s efforts have helped him lower his blood pressured from 142/90 to 125/78 in addition to a 20 pound weight loss and lowered BMI. He plans to continue lowering his cholesterol and weight until he reaches his long term goal. Matthew says, “I’m expecting a child in December and am determined to make sure that the baby knows the fit me and not the fat me!”

His advice to others is to create a plan and stick to it. “Have large and small goals to help you find purpose in exercise and eating.”

Dixon Bringhurst with Clyde Companies Inc.

2010-08-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

Dixon Bringhurst of Clyde Companies has lost over 20 pounds since his Apple Health Assessment™ by implementing healthy eating habits and routine exercise. Prior to joining the Apple Program®, Dixon rarely ate regular meals and as a result his blood sugar levels were out of control. Now he has his diabetes under control and is feeling better in all areas of his life.

Dixon built up motivation to exercise by participating in hour long spin classes twice a week at a local high school. He has continually built up his strength and is using a Bow Flex machine to bring his health to the next level. Aside from incorporating a well-rounded fitness routine, he’s also improved his daily eating regimen by seeking to get in three balanced meals. Dixon said, “I used to starve myself all day, and then eat a heavy dinner. I’d be so hungry at that point that I’d often overeat, but now I make sure I get a healthy breakfast in, which often consists of eggs cooked in a little bit of olive oil with whole wheat toast, or just yogurt with fruit. For lunch, I often eat soup or grab a sandwich if I’m on the go.”

Having short term goals has helped Dixon improve his health. He reports that he’s not to his ideal weight, but is very happy that he’s now headed in the right direction. “I’ve wanted to get my health back on track for awhile now, but it’s been about 10 years since I’ve done anything about it.”

Much of Dixon’s success came with the motivation and support of his wife. “We’ve been able to work on improving our health together. We have kids and grandkids we want to be around for. And we want to be independent as we grow old, so we’re glad we’re doing things now to make that happen.” Dixon reminds others, “You have to want to improve your health. If you’re not serious about it, you’re not going to have success. Find something that will motivate you.”

Kristal Christiansen with Gerber Construction

2010-08-30T15:39:00.001-07:00

Kristal Christiansen of Gerber Construction has made tremendous lifestyle changes in the past year since joining the Apple Program®. Not only has she lost 42 pounds, but she’s also improved her fitness and energy levels. Much of Kristal’s success came when she took part in a three month Biggest Loser challenge with her family. She began making changes in her eating habits that she could maintain not only now but for years to come, in order to have good health today and down the road. She’s now training for her first half marathon and plans to continue working on her fitness to lose another 15 pounds.

Kristal’s alterations to her eating habits included not only eating less food, but also limiting her intake of sweets. She no longer has sweets on a daily basis, but she doesn’t deprive herself either- she saves them for special occasions. She also made changes to the way she ate her food. She no longer stands while eating. Instead, Kristal sits down and makes the process enjoyable so she can remember and feel like she ate.

Kristal reports that she feels happier and more balanced emotionally than she has in a long time. “I wake up feeling great and I have energy throughout the day,” says Kristal. She adds, “Having the Apple Program® helped me organize my goals and put them on paper. Checking in with a coach regularly has also helped keep me motivated. I was ready to change and start exercising, and my coach helped me build the confidence to do it.” She’s also grateful that she’s made these changes so she can keep up with her kids.

Her advice to others who are seeking to make changes is to, “Modify your lifestyle for you. A lot of times people want to lose weight for the wrong reasons. Do it for yourself and remember that the days all add up. You can’t lose weight in a day; you have to add the days together to see your success.” This is exactly what Kristal has done and continues to do as she trains for her first half marathon this fall!

Jon Webb with Veracity Networks

2010-08-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

Jon Webb with Veracity Networks began his journey with the Apple Program® while in the pursuit of improving his cholesterol ratio. Initially, the financial incentive is what caught Jon’s attention, but his dedication to the goals he designed with his Apple Coach™ began to motivate him past the point of greenbacks. Now just over six months later he’s happy that he’s not only improved his cholesterol ratio from a 13 to a 5, but he’s also lost a pant size and is happy that his efforts have paid off in his triathlon and half marathon races.

Jon has participated in the Wasatch Back Ragnar, Provo Relay, Top of Utah Half Marathon, and will be doing the Kokopelli Triathlon in September, along with a 10K relay, “The Dirty Dash,” in September! He has increased his swimming ability from barely being able to swim 50 Meters to swimming 1000 meters in each work out set.

Jon’s has never had a weight problem, so he never had to watch what he ate. What he didn’t want to acknowledge was that by not being conscious of his eating habits, his cholesterol was being affected for the worse. He decided to take action by limiting fast food and sweets and having more healthy snacks including fruits and vegetables.

Jon reports, “It was helpful to have a tracking and reporting mechanism in place. Seeing my progress and knowing that I have some accountability was very helpful and motivating. Gradually, I became more dedicated to exercising and working out on a regular basis. I’ve gone through phases in the past where I would work out for a few months, but this is the longest I have stuck with exercising. Having the goal to do triathlons helped get me going in the right direction as well.”

Jon adds that his Apple Coach™ also attributed to his success. “She was motivational and took interest in what I was working on and how I was doing. Having someone take an interest in you like that helps to increase the excitement to succeed and creates some accountability for the outcome. Without the program I know I wouldn’t have had the discipline and dedication to track and improve my exercise and eating habits to the extent and duration that I have. It’s great that this wellness program has the measurement tools in place to give someone a starting point and know what they can expect to see.”

He attributes his success to the desire to be healthy and the enjoyment he has for working out and being active. It’s helped that he has rewarded himself with buying fun things like a triathlon wetsuit and gear, road bike, and mountain bike. Jon plans to continue improving his wellbeing by training for and participating in triathlons, as well as maintaining his healthy eating habits.

Diana & Mark DePriest with Hogan

2010-08-30T14:49:00.000-07:00

Mark and Diana DePriest with Hogan Construction have worked hard to “build up” their health and improve their wellbeing. As a couple they’ve lost nearly 130 pounds and improved several aspects of their biometric scores. Mark gained much of his success by taking part in his at-work “Biggest Loser” competition. Diana followed suit and together they worked on improving their day-to-day habits and aimed to achieve short-term goals in order to reach their ultimate goals. They both report that they’re feeling better, more confident, and happier than they have in years.

Mark set a long term goal to get below 200 pounds when he first joined the Apple Program®. To accomplish that, he designed goals with his Apple Health Coach™ which included things like eating breakfast, increasing water intake, and exercising. These changes helped with his initial weight loss, but when the Biggest Loser competition began at Mark’s work, he was motivated to take action. “I have a very competitive nature!” says Mark. “I believe I got that from doing sports through school. My wife was also a great inspiration. She quit smoking three years ago and as a family we decided to give up soda, chips, and most snack foods and replaced them with healthy snacks like: fruits, vegetables, rice cakes, 100calorie packs. We also invested in ourselves and bought a treadmill which we placed right in our living room, instead of a corner somewhere, where most of our family together time is spent.”

Diana’s improvements began to accelerate as well when her husband signed up for the Biggest Loser challenge. “I wasn’t going to let him get skinny without me! I was determined to not be the fat one in the relationship!” Diana said, so she bumped up her efforts as well. She began substituting regular soda with diet, baking using low-fat recipes, and exercising. She’s since gone from a size 16 to 6 in four months!

Prior to joining the wellness program Mark & Diana were living with excess weight they slowly gained over a 10 year span. Mark said, “If the Apple program hadn't challenged me and showed me where my health scores were I probably would’ve deceived myself for several more years, believing that I was happy where I was. Without the program, I may have had success eventually but not as fast.” By working with an Apple Health Coach™, Mark and Diana were able to develop a plan for success. Diana reports, “My coach was very helpful in answering a lot of questions I had about weight loss and what was healthy and safe.” Mark says, “My coach has been a great inspiration to me by challenging me to complete small goals along the way to keep me on track. I think the reminder that it takes a daily commitment and a plan that makes you accountable for that commitment was key to getting me started.”

Mark and Diana continue to set goals for success. “My daughter and I are preparing to run our first 5K this year and might run a 10K next year,” says Diana. “I also want to lose another 13 pounds in the next two months in order to fit into my size 4 jeans I haven’t worn in ten years!” As for Mark, he plans to run a half marathon this year and next year a full marathon, something he hasn’t done since 1994. Together they plan to continue paying attention to what they’re doing and eating, to prevent health consequences from arising again.

Both Diana and Mark are happy to report they are feeling better than they have in years. “I love being able to do things I once considered myself to big to do anymore. I wish I had done this ten years ago,” says Mark. His advice for others is, “Make yourself a priority. Sometimes work becomes our only focus and we consider ourselves later, but put your health first and remember the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, so get moving!” Diana adds the famous quote by Bob Harper, Biggest Loser Trainer, “Stand up and finish what you started.”

Jake Bateman with Wheeler

2010-07-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Jake Bateman of Wheeler Cat has lost a total of 65 pounds since joining the Apple Program®. Living a healthier lifestyle is something Jake wanted in his life, so he’s begun to make his goal a reality by exercising and monitoring his portions. He’s tackled excuses preventing achievement of his goals and made his health a top priority. He now has the motivational drive needed to maintain his health for years to come.

Much of Jake’s desire to change stemmed from his annual Apple Health Assessment™. He states, “That was a big reality check for me. When I saw my health was spiraling downward, I knew something needed to be done. With the support of my Apple Health Coach™ and the information offered on the Apple Program’s website, I was able to get things rolling.”

Jake now runs about 3 miles two to three times per week. He also enjoys riding his bike between 8-10 miles twice a week and often incorporates strength training exercises into his fitness routine. His training is getting him in shape to run a 5K in June and later plans to complete a half marathon with his wife in July.

Prior to joining the Apple Program, Jake felt that he was always “too tired” or “too busy” to improve his health, but now feels he has the tools and motivation to reach his goals. His coach helped prevent the dreaded “plateau effect” in which your body adapts to the exercise and normal physical activity efforts produce only small results. “She gave good advice on diet and exercise. She helped me develop a varied exercise routine, which worked like a charm. She was a great motivator and kept me accountable.”

Aside from his coach’s enthusiasm, Jake received support from his family and friends and was able to develop the determination needed to make changes in his health. “It was a lot of hard work,” reports Jake, “But I now have a better quality of life. I feel great and my body doesn’t hurt like it used to. I can move more freely. I feel like the changes I’ve made will add years to my life that will enable me to spend more time with my family.” He reminds others, “It’s never too late to change, especially when it comes to your health; no matter how tired or how busy you think you are.”

Kimberly Johnson with Ken Garff

2010-06-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

In effort to improve her and her family’s overall health and happiness, Kimberly Johnson of Ken Garff began a lifestyle makeover by making small changes to her daily routine. Her triumph came by designing goals aimed at improving her overall eating habits. She knew if she worked on making small changes she would have a better chance of reaching her overarching goal of a healthy lifestyle. Kimberly’s plan has resulted in success!

Many of her accomplishments came due to the accountability aspects the Apple Program® has designed. Kimberly has said, “Tracking and reporting my goals online has helped me have success. I’ve done well in other weight loss programs but the Apple Program was more meaningful because it let me take part in designing my goals.” Her initial goals were simply to eat more fruits and vegetables, drink water, and do some form of exercise four times per week. Working on those goals enabled her to reach long term goals such as improving her blood pressure. Her blood pressure is now at an ideal level.

The support of her Apple Health Coach™ also helped contribute to Kimberly’s progress. “The encouragement of a coach goes a long way,” says Kimberly. She reports feeling uplifted through her work with the Apple Program, and feels enabled to make changes – like healthier cooking – benefitting her whole family.

Kimberly’s recommendation for others to achieve success is to try increasing the number of fruits and vegetables in your diet and “Remember that being happy overall is the root of success in all you do!”

John Preston with Clyde Co

2010-06-21T15:03:00.001-07:00

John Preston with Geneva Rock has won his battle with type 2 diabetes since joining the Apple Program® last fall. His determination and hard work to get off his medication has paid off. John has lost nearly 20 pounds and no longer has to take his medication for diabetes.

John attributes his success to making lifestyle alterations in the form of small, attainable goals related to nutrition and exercise. One of his goals included cutting back on carbohydrates- especially French fries- and avoiding other deep fried foods. Instead of fried foods, John enjoys foods like grilled chicken, whole wheat foods, oatmeal, and more. He has also cut back on soda and snacks on fruit and nuts. Incorporating these dietary changes led him to making other improvements, like only having one piece of bread when eating a sandwich instead of two and having sweet potatoes or yams instead of baked potatoes. He’s also discovered that sugarless candy is a great substitution when he has a sweet tooth.

In addition to improving his eating habits, he furthered his healthy progress by implementing an exercise routine which consists of walking with his wife for one to two miles when the weather permits. If it’s raining he has a backup plan that involves a treadmill or stationery bike in his house. He’s also made simple changes like taking the stairs instead of the elevator to add to his success.

For a long time John never had to watch his weight or what he ate, but when things started to change, he realized he had to take control. John knew the best thing he could do to improve his current health state was to lose weight. He began tracking his daily goals and making a conscious effort to make changes which would enable him to improve his health. But John has not stopped there! He still wants to lose another 12 pounds, which he plans to achieve by the end of summer. “My doctor told me whatever it is I’m doing, to keep doing it!” He plans to keep on track with his goals and adding another element to his exercise routine, road biking, which he feels will enable him to get to his target weight. From there, he plans to continue setting goals such as possibly cutting carbonation from his diet all together.

He’s grateful that the changes he has made have added years and quality to his life. “I feel great, I have more energy, and I don’t have to sleep as much,” says John. He appreciates the assistance he received from his Apple Health Coach™. “Having a coach to talk to each month is great. She’s provided great support and encouragement.”

John’s advice for others who are seeking to improve their health conditions is to, “Set a goal related to nutrition and exercise and stick to it. Find ways to make it work and keep variety; mix up your foods and your workouts and enjoy foods in moderation.”

Sonia Brunson with Cedar City

2010-06-21T14:48:00.001-07:00

Sonia Brunson of Cedar City has taken her health to a new level, shedding 22 inches, losing 20 pounds, and becoming two sizes smaller than she was at the beginning of the year! Her success has come by working hard at the gym, making healthy substitutions in her eating habits, and implementing basic changes in her lifestyle. The transformations she’s made have improved several aspects of her life including her physical and mental health.

Sonia’s simple changes include parking further away from entrances when running errands, reading food labels, consuming smaller portions by eating on a smaller plate, and not eating after 7 p.m. Bigger changes have included drinking less soda and consuming more water, and weight training two to three days per week. These goals have got her headed in the direction needed for her to reach her long-term goal of being healthier and more in shape by September 15^th, her 15^th wedding anniversary!

Working with a personal trainer and having the support of the Apple Program® have helped encourage Sonia’s progress. She says, “The Apple Program® has taught me to understand how my body’s condition affects my overall health. It’s motivated me to have a healthier heart, stronger muscles, lungs, and bones, so I can have the opportunity to do what I love with my family- including outdoor activities, especially in the summer, such as hiking, camping, and four-wheeling. I am now much more active with my family and have enjoyed spending time with them when I otherwise would’ve stayed at home. All these changes have lifted my mood and I feel so much better.”

“Improving my health is something I’ve wanted to do for some time, but this program has held me be accountable for what I choose to do or not do. Reviewing my goals every week has really helped. Having a coach has also been great. My coach is encouraging, understanding, and knowledgeable, and she’s been a great, positive support through this whole process.”

Sonia has surrounded herself with positive assistance to help her accomplish her goals. The Apple Program and her Apple Health Coach™ first taught her to set goals whether big or small. Peers and a motivating trainer then provided support and helped push her to her current level of health. Most importantly, however, is Sonia’s family, who provided great encouragement. She’s learned that she can do anything if she truly wants it!

Sonia now not only has better health but also has an improved attitude. “I’ve learned to stay positive even though it’s hard sometimes.” This optimism will help Sonia reach her long term goals of 1) getting to her target weight of 145, 2) transforming to a size 9, and 3) out hike her husband and kids.

Her advice to others who are seeking to reach their goals is to, “Never give up. Put one foot in front of the other and keep moving, even if they’re baby steps and even when one step goes backward. It’s hard work, but the results are totally worth it. I have not yet reached all my goals, but I know I can do it and can’t wait to get there!”

Gary Gibb with Ancestry.com

2010-06-11T21:57:00.001-07:00

Gary Gibb of Ancestry has made great improvements in his health since joining the Apple Program®. With his wife also participating in the program, he has found that sharing mutual goals has helped them both improve their wellbeing. Since joining the program, he’s taken on the challenge of engaging in his first sprint triathlon, which has been a great help in bringing his health to the next level.

Gary admits that if his company hadn’t offered this program and the incentive, he probably wouldn’t have begun making the changes in his lifestyle. “I’ve enjoyed the challenge though. My daughter in law’s enthusiasm to get me and my son participating in triathlons has really helped me focus on getting in better shape and losing weight. I’m now feeling better and am glad that I’m doing things to improve my long-term health."

“My wife’s influence has helped greatly,” reports Gary. “We’re working on shared goals to eat more fruits and vegetables, so doing that together definitely makes accomplishing your goals a lot easier.” Gary has also mentioned that tracking his goals and seeing his success along the way has helped him stay focused. Having an Apple Health Coach™ is another tool that has helped Gary to be consistent in his progress. “I knew that I would have to call in and be accountable to her, so I was more determined to meet my goals.”

Improving his health is something Gary’s wanted to do off and on for years, but he’s happy to now report that he’s making that a reality! His future goals are to continue biking long after his race is over. “Swimming and running are things I’ve done before, but not biking. I’ve found that it’s a lot of fun. I feel like a kid who’s enjoying exercise!”

Gary reports that he feels better all around and has an increase in his confidence level. His advice for others is to share mutual goals with someone else. “Having group support is something that’s really helped me out.”

Dianna Schaeffer with Cache County

2010-06-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

Dianna Schaeffer of Cache County has lost 30 pounds, quit smoking, and anticipates seeing improvements in her cholesterol score at her upcoming Apple Health Assessment™ this fall.

She has found much success by implementing small changes to get her health headed in the right direction. She became motivated when she took part in Cache County’s
“Winning with Wellness Challenge,” which provided her with a pedometer. At that time, Dianna started tracking her steps, aiming for at least 4,000 steps a day. She wore her pedometer every day and aimed to walk as often as she could; walking during work breaks, taking the stairs, parking further away from buildings, and taking long walks on the weekend. This helped with her initial five pound weight loss goal, which she added to. She continues to have successes, including participation in 5k runs with completion times of less than 30 minutes.

“My New Year’s resolution for the past ten years has been to lose five pounds. Finally something has helped me to get to work on this goal. Initially, the lowered insurance rates motivated me to participate and the subsequent presentations kept me mindful of my health and provided a group setting where coworkers could discuss common issues. I also appreciated the yearly checkup that gave me a real wakeup call regarding my cholesterol level.”

She attributes her success to developing a proactive wellness plan for every season of the year. Dianna finds seasonal activities that she enjoys. For example, when she could no longer go hiking because of the snow, she switched to skiing and snowshoeing. She also joined the least expensive gym available to supplement her outdoor activities when necessary. Meeting up with others for various activity adventures has also helped Dianna stay focused on her goals.

Dianna is grateful that she is enjoying better overall health, has more energy, and feels more attractive. Being able to run with her teenagers has brought indescribable joy to her life! She plans to stay committed to her health, thanks to the financial incentive, motivating quarterly presentations, annual checkups, and her Apple Health Coach™.

“My coach was great to visit with about my challenges and progress. No matter what my current focus was, she always had relevant website references and solid nutritional advice. It was fun to discuss rediscovering activities that I enjoyed when I was younger and proactive strategies to outwit the weather. She is very personable and motivating.”

Dianna continues to monitor her daily steps with a spreadsheet to ensure she’s maintaining a moderate activity level. To convert steps to other activities, Dianna suggests visiting the Walk for Life™ website’s “Activity Converter Calculator” at: http://www.walk4life.com/customerservice/forms_activityconverter.aspx

Her advice to others is to find food and activities that you can sustain for the next 20 years. Dianna also suggests developing a weekly plan that evolves with your level of fitness, your lifestyle, and of course, the weather!

Randy & Raenee Schultz with Rhodes Bake-N-Serve

2010-06-04T10:59:00.001-07:00

Randy and Raenee Schultz of Rhodes Bake-N-Serv have both significantly improved their health and wellness this past year with the assistance of the Apple Program®. This couple set individual weight loss goals and have achieved them by incorporating tools they learned by participation in the Apple Program which lead to a lifetime of health improvement. Between the two of them, Randy and Raenee have lost almost 75 pounds and have also improved their blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

Much of the couple’s determination to make changes with their health came when they received the results from their annual Apple Health Assessment™. “My blood pressure level scared me,” said Raenee. Randy admits, “I wouldn’t have done anything about my weight without it, if hadn’t been for the Apple Program.” A desire to feel healthy motivated the couple to begin setting goals and making changes in their lifestyle.

Their Apple Health Coach™ helped get them on track by offering dietary advice and tips. By keeping in regular contact with their coach, they were able to monitor their individual progression. Tracking food intake and exercise routines online at the Apple Program’s website was also helpful for Raenee. Working together as a husband and wife team also helped the two a great deal. “Together we were able to motivate one another to lose weight and eat healthier.”

Both Raenee and Randy have noticed similar benefits. “We feel younger, healthier, stronger, and more energetic. It’s motivating to know that we will also be able to spend quality time with my family for a long time,” says Raenee.

Their current goal is to continue their success. They plan to do this by exercising five days a week, eating a well-balanced diet, and engaging in quarterly health promotion activities. The Schultz’s advice to others is to, “Stay committed to your goals and you will reach them.”

Robin Zwahlen with Washington County

2010-05-27T15:44:00.001-07:00

Robin Zwahlen of Washington County is improving not only her own health but the health of her entire family. Incorporating dietary changes and exercise in her family’s lifestyle has benefitted them all.

Robin’s thoughts are focused on her kids. She wants them to be healthy and feel energetic when they’re at school. To ensure they don’t have a drop in energy before lunch time, Robin makes conscious, healthier choices when preparing their breakfasts. Making healthy substitutions with other meals has also helped, such as the use of olive oil instead of vegetable oil, crackers with cheese instead of chips, and fruit instead of candy.

Robin is finding that her energy levels are higher than they used to be as well. She is drinking more water in place of soda and is feeling the difference. She’s also eating more fruits and vegetables. These changes have given Robin the strength needed to set up the nursery for her new baby. She’s excited by her new lifestyle and not even dreading having to be awake with the new baby!

The changes Robin’s family has made since joining The Apple Program® have not only enhanced their health but also their bank account. “We ate out so much; we didn’t even realize how much it was costing us. Now we prepare dinners with the help and input of our kids.”

Robin said, “If it wasn’t for The Apple Program® we wouldn’t have begun making these changes. With the motivation of a helpful coach, my husband and I decided to buckle down and make this a family effort. We now go on family bike rides, walks, or swims.” If you want more energy, Robin suggests, “Take a second look at your menu and see where you can improvise and substitute.” Make it a family effort and you can succeed!

Kent Chauncey with DHI

2010-05-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

Kent Chauncey of DHI has improved several aspects of his health since becoming a member of The Apple Program® in 2009. Not only has he lost 16 pounds, he has also lowered his blood glucose level, triglycerides, and total body-fat percentage. He’s no longer considered “high risk” with his health and attributes this to focusing on his short-term goals which were included getting his blood sugar and body-fat levels under control.

Kent’s desire to change came after his health assessment with The Apple Program. It was alerting to him that his blood sugar was at a level classified as diabetic. He’s grateful that he found out sooner rather than later in order to prevent serious health consequences. Through trial and error, Kent has learned about his strengths and weaknesses and is now able to work with (or around) them to accomplish his goals. His overall goal is to “be healthier next year than I am right now, in order to have a small measure of peace of mind.”

Kent said that much of his success is due to the influence of his Apple Health Coach™. “My coach helped me set reachable goals. She’s also been a good cheerleader by providing me encouragement. Up until now, my health goals were to avoid weight gain and get in good enough shape each year to play softball.” Now Kent has aimed even higher and is working toward improving his health for a lifetime.

His advice to others is to just focus on being healthy. “Losing weight was never my main goal- it came along with the changes I made. Decide what you want and what you’re willing to do to get there. For example, I wanted to lower my blood sugar, so I cut back on Pepsi and other unhealthy foods in my diet. I haven’t completely cut them out, but I’ve cut back. I’m a fan of setting and reaching goals you can consistently obtain. It’s like making extra payments to principal on a mortgage; money paid to principal early-on will have a larger affect than the same amount paid later on.”

Kay Kashanipour with Harmons

2010-04-23T11:34:00.000-07:00

Reaching her weight loss goal is something Kay Kashanipour of Harmon’s has wanted to do for some time. After many battles with her weight, she is pleased to report that she is now well on her way to achieving her weight loss goal and has subsequently lowered her blood pressure. Kay says that the Apple Program® has been a big motivator in supporting her weight loss goals.

The program’s personalized wellness portal and one-on-one coaching have all been incredibly helpful and motivating for Kay. Her Apple Health Coach® has been a very positive influence for her in helping Kay improve her diet and design an exercise program. “She knows her stuff and gives me the support I need,” reports Kay. “Her suggestions for post workout meals have been great!”

Her coach has helped her set up short term goals in order for her to reach her long term weight loss goal by incorporating physical activity, whether using her WII Fit, treadmill, or stationary bike. She has also been adding strength training in her workouts by using resistance bands and other things. In addition to increasing her physical activity with cardo and strength-training, Kay has also focused on improving her diet by implementing ideal amounts of water and limiting late night snacking. She has found that filling her time in the evenings with reading and other activities keeps her from unnecessary eating.

“Getting to my ideal weight and staying there is something I’ve wanted to do all my life, says Kay. “I’ve lost weight in the past but have never been able to lose it and keep it off. This time, however, I feel like I have the support and education I need to keep it off. People I talk to are astounded that we have the opportunity to engage in a program like this at work. It really is great!”

Kay’s future goals include continuing in lowering her BMI and blood pressure as she continues in the Apple Program. She has a new grandbaby and would like to be able to be an active part of her life and to play with for years and years to come. Her advice to others is to delve right in to the Apple Program. “You can’t beat this program. Our company pays us to get healthier! You can’t beat that either. If I can do this, you can too!”

Jennifer Pretorius with Harbor Medical

2010-04-23T11:21:00.000-07:00

Harbor Medical’s Jennifer Pretorius has taken the path to get her health scores to optimum levels. She’s done so by working towards her weight loss goals and incorporating day-to-day changes like increasing her exercise and watching her portions.

Losing weight is something Jennifer’s wanted to do for a long time, but now, with the help of the Apple Program®, her goals have become reality. One key factor in her weight loss was changing the way she ate. Jennifer began lowering her portion sizes and limiting sweets. She says that she also enjoys preparing “anything with chicken.”

Walking on a regular basis has been another key factor in Jennifer’s success with her weight loss goals. She even enjoys participating in Martial Arts when she has a few extra minutes.

Jennifer reports that, “Having an Apple Health Coach ® helps keep me on track. She’s referred me to great articles on various health issues that have been beneficial for me.” She says that her Apple Health Coach is her favorite thing about participating in the Apple Program.

Since making these changes she’s noticed that she’s not only lost weight but also improved her energy levels. Even people around her have noticed her increased energy, which makes Jennifer feel great!

Her future health goals include continuing to lose weight and lower her cholesterol. She is optimistic that the wellness program will continue to play a role in her success by keeping her up-to-date with health issues and suggestions.

Jennifer is grateful for the changes she has made with her health. Her advice to others is to, “Keep trying! If at first you don’t succeed, try again!”

Teri Brown with Equitable Life & Casualty

2010-04-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

Teri Brown of Equitable Life & Casualty has learned tremendous tools since joining the Apple Program® that have helped her improve her health and well-being. The fitness tips and nutrition ideas her Apple Health Coach® has educated her with have given her the skills she needs to manage her diabetes. Since incorporating her new lifestyle, Teri has not only lost weight, she’s also controlling her diabetes and has noticed a great increase in her overall energy level.

“The things that have been most helpful since joining the program are the tips my coach has given me to help me fit diet and exercise into my busy schedule,” says Teri. “I have a Total Gym I use on nights that I don’t have school. When I have 15 minutes to spare in the evenings, I’ll do the Bender Ball workout. My coach also suggested exercise videos, which I bought and have helped mix up my routine, as they incorporate strength training and cardio. Aside from the exercise, I’m also focusing on improving my diet by eating more salads and protein, refraining from high end carbs like breads, and eating more fresh vegetables (not as much fruit because it tends to raise my blood sugar). Doing all these things have helped change my life.”

“I feel like I wouldn’t have made these achievements in my health without the Apple Program and especially my Apple Health Coach. She gives me a lot of encouragement. Checking in on my progress regularly helps a lot. The goals I’m working toward have been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, but it’s finally starting to happen!”

The improvements Teri has made with her health have been apparent in fulfilling even small, day-to-day tasks. The area where she lives, for example, requires her to park a small distance from her home and now she appreciates the exercise she is getting walking to and from her car. She’s even taking the stairs more often at her workplace.

Her future goals are to get to her ideal weight and continue to live a healthier and happier lifestyle. Her advice to others is to, “Live day to day. If you look too far into the future it’s easy to get discouraged. It’s best to focus on what you can do that day to improve your lifestyle.”

Jeri Wayman of Taylor Electric

2010-04-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

Jeri Wayman of Taylor Electric has, as she refers to it, “given away” 90 pounds this past year while on the Apple Program®. By taking hold of the things that are important to her, Jeri has made the changes with her health that she’s wanted to for a long time in order to be around for her children and grandchildren. Her motivation and determination to stick with her dietary and exercise routines have enabled her to not only shed weight, but also to improve her diabetic state to the point where she no longer has to take insulin.

Jeri decided to make changes in her life when her brother began losing weight. Her motivation has led her to sticking to her dietary goals 100%. She hasn’t cheated on her diet once this past year, even while on a cruise! She’s been following a program called Advanced Weight Loss® which involves the consumption of two protein bars, two protein drinks, and a soup on a daily basis. To ensure she’s nutritiously balanced, she also takes a multivitamin and omega 3 fish pill daily.

In addition to her new dietary habits, Jeri engages in physical activity by attending Curves Gym four times a week where she does all-over strength training. She also goes on walks three times a week and has recently begun incorporating the use of an at-home stationary bike. Jeri says that the exercise she gets is great for her brain!

Not long ago Jeri went in to see her diabetic doctor who was shocked by her new appearance. He complimented her changes and new lifestyle habits and reminded her that the older we get, the more exercise we need.

Jeri says that the changes she has made have not only come because of her motivation to change, but also from the influence of the Apple Program and her Apple Health Coach®. “My coach helps me overcome any negative thoughts. She also helps me look at things from a clear perspective. Having to check in with her on a regular helps me stay focused,” Jeri said. “The Apple Program has been a big stepping stone in the direction I’m headed.” She is grateful that her company has offered this program to her and her coworkers.

The changes Jeri’s made have made all the difference in her life. “I’m a better person, I’m stronger, and I enjoy doing things more. Life is fun!” Jeri’s goals from here are to maintain the success she’s had by adding even more exercise. She wants to get to her ideal weight and stay there. “I want to feel good all the time,” states Jeri, “life’s too precious and too short not to feel good.”

Her advice to others is to, “Be dedicated with the decision you make. Let others around you inspire you, but remember no one can change for you.”

Pam Bair with Utah County

2010-04-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Pam Bair of Utah County has significantly improved her health and well-being with the assistance of the Apple Program®. She began making changes in her lifestyle by building upon the healthy habits she already enjoyed in her life.

Pam is an avid gardener who has harvested the benefits of it, as apparent in her new dietary lifestyle. Gardening has also allowed her to reap many health benefits because of the physical exertion needed to keep a thriving garden. By increasing her efforts in gardening, Pam has not only lost weight but has also greatly improved other aspects of her health profile; like lowering her blood pressure, for example.

Much of Pam’s success is due to her new mentality toward her eating habits. She refrains from stating that she’s on a diet to prevent her from experiencing feelings of deprivation; instead she sees it as a new and improved way of life. She makes sure to incorporate plenty of in-season produce like pomegranates, apples, oranges, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, carrot sticks, or cucumbers; anything fresh that she can add to her lunch.

Her new approach to eating has left her feeling more satisfied after meals and she no longer has sugar cravings. Aside from focusing on a balanced diet, Pam makes sure to get in some form of exercise- whether it’s playing racquetball with her daughter, doing a yoga video at home, or simply gardening. These activities help keep her relaxed and she experiences less joint and muscle pain. She also states that the changes she has made with her diet and exercise routines have given her more energy to deal with the stresses of life.

Pam says she’s been able to stay focused and determined with her goals due to the accountability features of the Apple Program. “Tracking my goals and talking with my coach regularly helps me stay focused. If ever I start to wander from my goals, my coach gives me the advice I need to get back on track.”

Pam’s changes have helped her get a grasp on events that have transpired in her life. “It’s the first time in a long time that I feel like I have the energy to cope with life’s stressors. I also feel like I have more balance in my life since making these changes with my health.”

Pam’s future goals include losing 25 more pounds so she will continue to have the energy and strength she needs to deal with life. She plans to lose the weight by continuing on with the things she’s been incorporating in her diet and exercise regimens.

Her advice to others is “Bloom where you are planted.” Pam reminds others that by sticking to the things you know are right for you, you too can have success with your goals.

Rina Roy from Utah County

2010-03-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

Rina Roy of Utah County has lost 26 pounds since joining the Apple Program®! She has done so by completely changing her lifestyle. When she moved to her current home, she became more sedentary, and with the stress of school and work she gained 40 pounds. She soon decided to alter her life and began doing so by joining the Apple Program.

Since that time Rina has lost weight by becoming more aware of her food consumption and exercise habits. The design of the program has worked well for Rina. “Having an Apple Health Coach® to report to was a key piece in my change process,” reports Rina. “She was patient and explained things to me in detail. She was always encouraging me and cheering me on, even in the beginning when I had a hard time eating my veggies! She rejoiced with me in every pound I lost!”

The changes Rina has made have given her more energy, boosted her mood, helped her relax, and even upped her self-esteem. “When I eat healthy and exercise I feel better. It gives me a different perspective; I see life in positive ways, even if I sometimes don’t feel well physically; if I make it a point to be healthy and exercise, my brain gets the message that I care about my health, and it responds positively.”

The alterations Rina has made in her life since joining the program have helped her realize that there were certain foods that acted almost as poison to her body. “I’m glad I learned what my body needed and what it didn’t. I’m also glad that I can teach my kids how to eat healthy. I’ve learned creative things I can do to keep them healthy.”

Rina attributes her success to her determination to change, the Apple Program, her Apple Health Coach, Larissa, and her husband. Rina has said, “The Apple Program has given me the push I needed to change. The incentive my company offered also had an influential part.” Rina’s goals from this point are to put more focus on her exercise by spinning three days a week and doing pilates two days a week. She plans on losing another 20 pounds this year. Her advice to others is to, “Start now. It’s never too late to be healthy!”

Kenny Farnsworth with Rhodes Bake-N-Serv

2010-03-05T16:17:00.000-08:00

Kenny Farnsworth of Rhodes Bake-N-Serv has maintained optimal health with the assistance of the Apple Program®. Having an Apple Health Coach® to report to on a regular basis has helped Kenny remain focused with his short and long-term health and fitness goals. Also, the new Apple Portal Website® has made tracking his efforts a much easier and more easily accessible.

Kenny has been in great shape throughout his life, however, he chose to take part in the Apple Program to improve his odds of being healthy for years to come. Although he wasn’t required to, Kenny chose to be linked with an Apple Health Coach so he had someone to be accountable to. His coach inspired him to set reasonable, obtainable goals in regards to diet and exercise. He took that challenge by setting goals to exercise six days a week and to strive to eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. He has been able to meet his goals by participating in yoga, cycling, and kite boarding. Because kite boarding requires high levels of fitness to be successful, he has to make sure he’s meeting his exercise goals to ensure he can continue to participate in the highly intense sport.

To ensure he’s meeting his fitness goals, he makes sure he schedules time six days a week for exercise. Kenny also eats plenty of bananas and apples and has a serving of fruit before eating anything else at a meal to meet his dietary goal. He has come to learn that it takes planning ahead in both areas to be certain his goals are met.

Since taking part in the Apple Program, Kenny has noticed that he’s in better shape and has more energy to get his tasks accomplished. As one who wants to stay active the rest of his life, so he can participate in the sports and activities he loves, he’s constantly striving to get in better shape by focusing on reaching his short and long-term goals.

Kenny wishes he could communicate how much better a person’s life would be if they would take the time to exercise. He recommends finding an exercise that you enjoy, that’s fun, and to strive to do it every day! If you do, you can increase your odds of having a happier and more successful lifestyle for years and years to come.

Lynda Labrum with Stores Online

2010-03-05T15:41:00.000-08:00

Lynda Labrum with Stores Online has lost over 25 pounds due to her focus and determination on improving her health and lifestyle. Not only does she feel better since making changes to her exercise and nutrition regimens, she’s also happy that her health is headed in the direction that will enable her to be around to play with and live to see her 10 grandchildren be married.

Lynda began making alterations to her lifestyle so she could be a better example of health to her family. Her long term goal was ultimately to lose weight and keep it off, which she’s done by focusing on short-term goals like limiting sweets, drinking ample amounts of water, consuming smaller portions, and sticking to an exercise routine. She’s also incorporated a daily routine of mixing two tablespoons of flaxseed into half a cup of milk. These things have led to her shedding weight and improving her cholesterol levels.

Lynda admits when she first joined the Apple Program® she felt it was just another thing she had to do, but she says, “As I got to know my Apple Health Coach® I really came to enjoy the program. Without the program I probably wouldn’t have seen the results I have. The program, along with a gym pass, has made all the difference.”

One of the most helpful things her coach suggested was to divide up her lunch, instead of eating it all at the same time. “I now eat my lunch throughout the day. I have fruits, vegetables, and a sandwich, but I eat some in the morning, some during lunch, then I have an afternoon snack. It helps curb my appetite, and I’ve found that I’m now no longer eating late at night.”

“The goals I had, as far as weight loss, were more like a dream and idea I had. Losing weight isn’t easy when you enjoying cooking, but it’s all worked out. Having a supportive husband has helped,” says Lynda. She continues, “Although at the beginning of all this, the money and discount on our insurance premium motivated me, I now find that I just want to be healthy and I see that I can. I know that losing weight will help repair and prevent future health problems.”

Lynda attributes much of her success to her Apple Health Coach, Bobbie, who’s been patient, kind, and professional. Her high stress level also motivated her to make changes. She wanted to find something that would reduce it, and has found that an improved diet combined with exercise has reduced her stress. “Life has stress,” says Lynda, “but I’ve learned you can’t get rid of it all together; but you can learn things and find ways to deal with it.” Through the winter, she’s remained constant with her exercise goal by working out at home on a stationery bike.

Her hard work has paid off, as she’s lost two dress sizes and has gained a feeling of success in an area she says she’s struggled with. “My family is all very proud of me, and I get a lot of encouragement from them, which helps. I feel better, and I enjoy the little things like being able to sit cross-legged and crawl on the floor with my grandkids! I also feel better in my head!” Her future goals are to maintain her weight loss by continuing to incorporate the changes she’s made in her life as well as continuing to improve her BMI.

Lynda’s advice to others is, “Don’t stop! If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! Talk to people, talk to a friend that exercises or talk to a coach! Picture the goal in your mind, and see in your mind what you’re wishing. Wishes really do come true with a little help and a lot of hard work!”

Dianne McDonald with Cedar City

2010-03-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

Dianne McDonald of Cedar City has gone gluten and casein free, resulting not only in a 22 pounds weight loss, but also greatly improving her energy level since participating in the Apple Program®. Seeing a doctor who helped solve her underlying health issue, as well working with an Apple Health Coach® and getting membership at a local Curves® gym, have all helped Diane achieve her health-related goals.

When Dianne opted to join the Apple Program she began seeing a private doctor who specialized in non-traditional forms of medicine. The physician helped her solve an underlying health condition she was unaware of: her body was unable to process gluten. To improve her overall health, Dianne learned that she needed to get on a gluten and casein-free diet, which meant she was to steer clear of any food or product that contained those ingredients.

Avoiding those products meant she also needed to incorporate foods her body could process. She began eating more fruits and vegetables in season, including various forms of berries and apples. One of her new favorite snacks is an apple with almond butter.

Aside from altering her diet, Dianne has also raised her physical activity levels by joining Curves gym where she does high-impact aerobic workouts and strength training four days a week for at least 30 minutes. “Working out at a gym gives me encouragement and motivation I need because others at the gym can relate to me.”

In addition to making dietary and lifestyle changes and having a doctor diagnose her underlying health problems, having an Apple Health Coach there to encourage her and answer her questions also helped Dianne to achieve success.

Dianne is grateful for the changes she’s made in her lifestyle. She states, “I’m now more alert and not as tired or groggy as I once was. Before, it didn’t matter how much I slept, I was constantly drowsy. Now I have the energy and health I need to keep up with my demands. I have two grandchildren I want to be around for and be able to play with. I’m grateful that my company has opted to use this program. Cedar City is a great company to work for; there’s a lot of support and encouragement to become better people at this business.”

Dianne’s advice to others is, “Don’t give up. If you’re not feeling well, be persistent in finding a doctor who can help diagnose your underlying issue. There’s a reason you’re not feeling well. If you can get healthy and stay healthy, you’ll enjoy life more and get more out of it. You’ll also be there for your family.”

Jared Keller with Cache County

2010-02-25T15:31:00.001-08:00

Jared Keller of Cache County has lowered his cholesterol by 70 points this past year by taking control of his genetic and lifestyle risk factors. Jared joined the Apple Program® two years ago, at which time his cholesterol level was high enough that he was assigned to work a health coach. Since that time, he’s taken control of his health risk by doing what he needed to lower his total cholesterol.

Jared began by making modifications to his lifestyle by changing up his diet. He began eating more oatmeal, fruits, and vegetables. He also completely cut out soda and replaced it with water. Initially he opted to switch to diet beverages, but because he disliked the taste, he simply turned to water to quench his thirst. Another thing he cut back on was fast food. This was difficult at first, because Jared is a law enforcement officer, so he felt he didn’t have the time to eat prepare or eat anything besides fast food. He found a way around this, however, by packing healthy snacks like apples, bananas, grapes, or carrot sticks. It required him to plan ahead for the day, but the efforts were well worth the payoffs.

Aside from improving his diet, Jared has also incorporated physical activity by going to the gym at least three days a week to perform cardio exercises for not only his heart but also to build muscle stamina in his lower body. To build strength in his upper body Jared performs moderate strength training exercises such as bench press, should press, pull downs, bicep curls, tricep extensions, and crunches.

These lifestyle alterations helped Jared get in the direction he needed to with his health, however, he found that his scores didn’t improve as well as he was hoping after his first year on the program. He decided to take it a step further by taking charge of his non-controllable risk factors (genetics), and saw a doctor to get on medication to aid his efforts in improving his cholesterol ratio.

Since that time, Jared has not only noticed improvements in his cholesterol, but he’s also noticed improved productivity in his work, as he didn’t miss a single day last year due to illness, which is surprising as he works closely with the public. He attributes this to building a stronger immunity by eating healthier foods.

Jared is grateful that the Apple Program came into his life at the time it did. Just before his company took on the Apple Program, he felt his motivation and desire to remain healthy slipping, but the financial incentive his company developed helped Jared regain focus with his desire and motivation to improve and maintain his health. If the Apple Program hadn’t been implemented, Jared admits he’d probably be in a high-risk category with his health. He’d had a health physical with his doctor before, who mentioned that his cholesterol was a little high, but there were no awareness factors discussed as to what he could do to improve it. He’s grateful to the educational aspects of the Apple Program and his Apple Health Coach®, who was combatable in meeting his needs and motivating him at the same time.

Jared’s future goals are to maintain his weight and fitness level, so he will meet the health standards again next year. He plans to hit the gym three days a week, continue with his water intake, refrain from fast food, and eat more fruits and vegetables. His advice for others when it comes to maintaining or improving one’s health is to, “Listen to what the Apple Program has to tell you. It’s there to assist you and motivate you in improving your health.”

Norma Overlade with Harmons

2010-02-24T09:34:00.001-08:00

Norma Overlade of Harmons has greatly improved her health and well-being since joining the Apple Program®. Not only has Norma lost weight, but because of her overall health improvements, she’s been able to cut back on medications she was forced to use to keep her health at a stable condition.

Norma attributes her success to her own motivation and desire to improve her health, as well as the assistance of her outgoing and inspiring Apple Health Coach®. Her coach has helped her create goals she could focus on to improve aspects of her health. With the coaches recommendations, Norma decided to focus on getting at least seven glasses of water on a daily basis and incorporating physical activity as often as possible, whether it’s by taking walks around the mall, walking to and from her mother’s house, keeping up her lawns, or simply cleaning her house. She does whatever she can to get her heart rate up. She’s also strived to cut back on her portion sizes and cut out high fat foods like cookies, candies, and French fries. Norma has only eaten fast food once this year! Her biggest temptation is ice cream, and she hasn’t had a single serving all year long! In addition to cutting back on the unhealthy foods, she’s increased her intake of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. She’s also completely done with adding salt to any of her foods.

Norma is grateful that she chose to participate in this program her company offered. The first year she had the opportunity to take part in the Apple Program she passed it up, but her coworker explained to her that she saved over $500 on her insurance by participating in the program, so she decided to join the program. She’s satisfied with the way the program has inspired her to improve her health and lifestyle, so she can be more physically and mentally alert.

Norma plans on working for another 15 years, but in order to do that she knows she must always focus on having good health. She takes care of her 96 year-old mother and realizes that she needs to be active and strong in order to help her out. “Slowly but surely”, she says she’s been able to meet her goals!

Her advice to others is to not give up; just keep trying with your goals, as it will help your day go better and you will feel better about yourself, because your mind will be more alert. “Some people think they’ve done everything and haven’t noticed results, but they have to keep working on them. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel!”

Alan Lake with IC Group

2009-08-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

Before Alan Lake of IC Group became a participant of The Apple Program^®, he was unaware of his borderline high cholesterol. He was generally healthy, but high cholesterol ran in his family. He always knew in the back of his mind what was good for him, but he said that until you set some goals and have a third party point of view’s encouragement, it’s hard to start. Finding out about his high cholesterol gave him the motivation that he needed to get going on his goals and start working with his Apple Health Coach^®.

With the help of his coach, Alan has become overall more aware of his health. He has become more aware of his diet and exercise, setting goals to increase his intake of fruits and vegetables, as well as stretching and walking.

Implementing and being accountable for his goals everyday has helped him be successful. Every day he asks himself where he can improve: Am I eating in moderation? Am I eating whole grains? Am I eating fruits and vegetables? These questions, along with his goals to plan and do his exercise, created a pattern of awareness in his life.

Alan has lost 5 pounds since implementing these goals in his life. He has also become more selective in what he eats when he goes out to eat. For instance, he has begun ordering vegetables instead of French fries in restaurants.

Alan’s advice to those on the program is to be aware and to avoid making excuses for bad habits. “Don’t rationalize your way through life. If you have to eat out at fast food, choose healthier foods, like grilled chicken. Don’t make excuses. You may not suddenly see dramatic changes, but overtime there will be improvement.” Alan is living proof that this works.

“This is your body. This is what you got. How you take care of it and what you put into it will have a direct effect on how you feel. You may not suddenly see dramatic changes, but overtime there will be improvement.”

Cade Peterson with Wheeler Cat

2009-08-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

Cade Petersen, with Wheeler Cat, has seen more results this year since working with The Apple Program^® than any other year. Before The Apple Program Cade was losing his motivation to be healthy. However, since joining the program, his desire has been enhanced. He has lost 17 pounds since joining The Apple Program and is now running about fifteen miles every week.

Cade admits a year ago he could barely run for ten minutes, but with the help of a coach he designed goals and got himself on the road to success. He’s bought a treadmill and enjoys running on that or outdoors when it’s warmer. He keeps his workouts varied by incorporating strength exercises, such as crunches or pushups. He never thought he’d look forward to exercising, but now he does!

Cade started out small and set light goals to prevent himself from becoming mentally exhausted. His recommendation is that others do the same. “Start with 10 pushups a day and gradually build up. Before you know it you’ll be doing 40.”

Not only has Cade improved his exercise, but with the help of his Apple Health Coach^®, he is learning about nutrition. He now has a better understanding of a healthy diet and realizes it’s not that difficult to incorporate. (He’s been aiming four servings of fruits and vegetables a day). Checking in with his coach regarding his exercise and nutrition goals, has also helped Cade stay on track. He wanted to have good news to report to his coach.

Cade feels like the lifestyle changes he’s made are permanent. “It’s become part of my life, like brushing my teeth! I feel healthier and more in shape than I ever have in my life!”

Chris Achilli with Wavelink

2009-08-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Chris Achilli, with Wavelink, has made great strides since joining The Apple Program^®. The program has helped Chris get on track and link his short and long-term goals. He’s quit smoking and is now exercising multiple times a week!

The reinforcement of his Apple Health Coach^® and the visual aspects of the program (goal tracking) have helped Chris maintain focus. He’s been able to set his own goals and track his success. His coach has also been persistent in nudging, not pushing, him to succeed.

Chris had tried to quit smoking in the past, but was unsuccessful until now. He was able to quit smoking by using patches and having goals set up with The Apple Program, which were designed to keep him occupied with healthier alternatives, such as exercise. It’s been nearly six months since he’s been off cigarettes and he says, “Now there’s no looking back. The changes I’ve made have meant the world to me.” Chris smoked for nearly 20 years but now is determined to remain smoke free.

Chris is excited about his new lifestyle because he realizes these changes benefit not only him but also his family, as they will no longer be at risk for the side effects of secondhand smoke. He also now has the potential to live longer and be around one day for his future grandchildren.

Chris would like to remind others to not lose their focus. “Day to day life can take its toll and things can get frustrating, but there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Raphael Millet with Utah County

2009-08-31T08:58:00.000-07:00

According to Raphael, “you don’t have to be an exercise geek“ to enroll in The Apple Program^® or to have good health. His goal this year is to be able to run a mile without stopping. He thanks The Apple Program for allowing him to “think” about his goals, and for the great tools they provide.

Raphael simply stated that his personal Apple Health Coach^® is just wonderful. Wonderful because she’s supportive of the goals that Raphael has established for himself and she continues to motivate him to improve. “She keeps asking me what I can do to improve,” he says.

Raphael is already a very self-motivated person who knows the importance of maintaining good health through eating healthy and maintaining physical activity. When he started the program he knew it was time to take action into a better lifestyle and the assessment taken at the beginning of someone’s entrance into the program confirmed it. He had high cholesterol, sugar, and blood pressure levels.

With that self motivation and the help of the Apple Program, Raphael has accomplished much this year. He has lowered his cholesterol, lost 35 pounds, and his blood pressure dropped from 150/90 to 130/80. A great accomplishment since the 150/90 blood pressure reading put him in range for a dangerous diagnosis of hypertension.

Raphael’s excitement is contagious. One of the things he has done to accomplish this change has been to slowly cut his intake of junk food. He will, however, treat himself to Weight Watchers bars and once in awhile he will buy strawberry Dreyer's fruit bars which have one gram of fiber. One of his favorites is Skinny Cow’s ice cream which has good fiber as well. He also eats 7 to 10 veggies in a day! His favorite recipe is a traditional salad recipe which includes plain romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, a little ranch dressing and a pepper on the side.

Raphael has made true lifestyle changes. He meets part of his physical activity goal by walking on his breaks or during his lunch hour at work. Thanks to the incentives he was able to receive from his employer for enrolling in the Apple Program, he has gone the extra mile in his quest of progressing even more towards his personal health goals by signing up for Weight Watchers which is an additional support that has worked for him.

Raphael’s changes have also become a family affair. He says, “My family and I try to be active by getting out and taking walks a couple of mornings each week and on weekends. We disconnect our cable TV each summer, so we [can] participate in other activities”

He tells everyone that is thinking about joining the Apple Program that “it will help you along your quest” whatever lifelong healthy changes that may include.

Patty Wheeler with Tooele County

2009-08-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

We define success as the will that our participants have to decide to make healthier choices and adapt healthy behavior changes in their lives. Patty Wheeler is a perfect example of this. She has had more physical challenges than the ordinary yet STILL has not given up the quest for health.
Patty has to deal with a few challenging medical conditions that have presented an obstacle to her desire to live a healthy life. She has been diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis and deals with Diabetes from day to day. However, Patty has not let these conditions impede her from knowing she can live a healthier life and with time, reap the benefits that come with it.

While others would easily have the desire quit, she does not let discouraging thoughts to permanently diminish her motivation. Patty realized that she feels better when she exercises and that it even helps to alleviate the pain associated with Spinal Stenosis. She enjoys doing the treadmill, bike and the elliptical machines at the gym. In fact, she had a recent positive experience at the gym. Once she had made up her mind to get her exercise goal in for the week even though she was in pain, she realized her back and legs stopped hurting while and after she exercised!

Patty appreciates the motivation she receives from The Apple Program^® and how it meets her specific needs. She especially appreciates the reminders her personal Apple health coach will give her, her encouraging e-mails with hints and healthy recipes. Also, with Patty’s busy schedule, communicating to her coach via email has been a plus.

Another help along the way has been keeping a journal of what she eats everyday and the requirement the program has to track the progress of her goals weekly. It helps Patty to see the “big picture” of her goals and at the same time breaks it down to smaller goals that are realistic and achievable for her.

It’s the small changes that Patty has decided to make that will reap even greater results down the road. Overall, she has greater awareness about what she puts into her body and what she does with it. She reads more food labels, tries to take the stairs instead of the elevators, and is working on sticking to a diet designed for diabetics.

Some of patty’s long term goals are to lose weight, prevent back surgery and continue to just feel better!

“I love that it helps me to make goals where I can see the ‘big picture’ while at the same time allows me to break them down to smaller goals that are achievable and realistic.”

Corry Smith with Tesco

2009-08-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

4 years ago Corry Smith weighed over 300 pounds but recently he ran his first half marathon and has the medal to prove it!

About 3 years ago Corry just got fed up with his weight and decided something had to change. He started making changes but then hit a wall. That’s when he started working with the Apple program. With the help of his apple coach he was able to set some tangible goals and make the changes necessary to start seeing results again. Since then he has been hitting the gym 5 days a week and is nearing his goal weight of 240 pounds.

Corry attributes 2 major things to his success. Accountability: Setting goals and knowing that he had to report to his Apple Health Coach^® really helped keep him on track. And Information, Corry says he was doing some things right but his coach really helped by providing him with the right information to continue moving him closer to his goals.

A few months ago Corry decided to step it up and start training for a half marathon. On June 13th he completed that goal. His wife completed the race as well. She came in with a faster time, but that’s just a little healthy competition! By the end of the half marathon, he decided he was ready for the full 26.2 miles. He is now jogging around 40 miles a week and will run his first marathon in Huntington, UT on September 12th.

He and his wife now have something to train for together and will be completing another half marathon together in October. Corry says he is hooked and sees many more races in their future.

Although Corry says he is not quite his ideal weight yet, he says, “I have never felt better.” His blood pressure is now in the normal range and he feels like he is in the best shape of his life.

“I was doing some of the right things, but the Apple program helped take me to the next level.”

Libby Murphy with Taylor Electric

2009-08-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

Libby Murphy is quite the super mom. She is 7 months pregnant with her 4th child and she happens to be at a healthier weight now than before she was pregnant! Libby is a healthier pregnant woman as a result of new habits she has established such as eating two healthy snacks a day including at least 4 servings of fruits and vegetables. With all these healthy changes, Libby feels she has more energy and is more productive around her home.

She still finds the time to take her kids camping and continues to take care of their health and her own. Being pregnant has helped her to understand that she needs to eat healthier for the sake of her own health, and also for the example she sets for her family.

Libby attributes her success to the many aspects of The Apple Program^®. Her personal Apple Health Coach^® has given her many ideas of small but significant changes she can make in her life. Libby decided one of her goals was to try and limit her intake of soda drinks due to their high sugar content. Additionally, her coach has provided a way for her to be accountable in keeping the goals she is setting for herself. Libby says that her coach encourages her to keep going. With that support Libby has been walking on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day and doing arm and leg strengthening exercises for 15 minutes, 4-5 days of the week.

Through the program Libby has also realized the importance of taking time for herself. Being able to track her progress online and regular reporting to her coach have both been good motivators to reach this goal along with others.

She beautifully stated that “In order to help my family, I needed to do better for them…” Well with efforts and support in the program she has and now the effects are trickling down. She has started giving her family healthier food choices.

An added bonus for Libby has been that her husband and she have created a special bond since they have both enrolled in The Apple Program. She told us that they are a better team now and since she makes his lunches, she knows exactly what he should and should not be eating! ”We keep tabs on each other!”

In a nutshell, Libby understands that in order to enjoy the benefits of good health, it’s a lifestyle change she has to make. She shared with us that “My goal is to try and do as much as I can and stay in a routine throughout my pregnancy so that it will not be as hard to do it after the baby gets here.”

Dale Nowlon with Stores Online

2009-08-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

Dale Nowlon, with Stores Online, has had great success while working with The Apple Program^®. Dale has improved his diet, lost 10 pounds, and is training for triathlons, including an upcoming Iron Man next May.

The Apple Program has helped Dale improve his lifestyle through education and awareness. Dale had low levels of HDL, so to improve his cholesterol, Dale’s Apple Health Coach^® taught him which foods he ought to consume to raise his good cholesterol. He began by making small changes, but since has noticed big results. He’s now consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables each day and is exercising six days a week for 60 minutes.

His influence and change has inspired his whole household to be healthier. He and his wife recently got rid of all unhealthy foods in the house and went shopping to stock up on healthier options.

Dale attributes his success to consistency. “It’s easy to start something, but you have to keep going.” He’s remained consistent by tracking his goals online. The influence of his wife has also helped him stay on track and be successful. They have two young boys they want to be around for, so that’s another motivation of his.

Dale encourages others to stay on track by monitoring and watching for small results. “Take a step back and look at your success; anyone can improve with effort.”

A year ago, Dale couldn’t run five miles without stopping, but with his optimism he now can. He is realizing his personal potential and would like to remind others to do the same; “We all have different potential, but don’t sell yourself short; realize what you’re capable of.”

Dale is looking forward to continuing on with his goals and completing a full Iron Man next year.

Adam Anderson with Sandy City

2009-08-31T08:48:00.000-07:00

Adam Anderson, with Sandy City, has greatly improved his health through weight loss since joining The Apple Program^®. He attributes his success in the program to having specific goals tailored to his own needs that he designed with the assistance of his Apple Health Coach^®.

He began his lifestyle changes by tracking his daily food intake and setting exercise goals. His coach realized Adam needed more fiber in his diet, so he began focusing on eating more fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains, like oatmeal. With the combination of these dietary changes and exercising three times a week for at least 20 minutes, Adam was able to achieve to a healthy weight.

Through his participation in The Apple Program Adam has realized the power in setting achievable goals. As each goal is reached Adam has learned how to push himself to the next step. He’s grateful he’s made these lifestyle changes because now that he’s achieved a healthy weight he realizes that he is preventing many health problems down the road,

Adam encourages others to do the same. “Find goals that will work for you and do what you need to in order to achieve them.” Adam looks forward to continuing his success and improving his cholesterol levels with the new goals he’s set.

Terry Leinberger with Rhodes

2009-08-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

Terry Leinberger, with Rhodes, has greatly enhanced his lifestyle since joining The Apple Program^®. Not only does he feel better physically and mentally, he’s lost eight pounds and his cholesterol has tremendously improved due to his diet and exercise changes. He’s joined a gym and is exercising six times a week and has cut out as much fat and oil as possible from his diet.

Without his health evaluation at The Apple Program he may not have ever known he had high cholesterol until it was too late. Although he has annual checkups and screenings with his doctor, he’d never had his cholesterol checked. It was a good wake up call for him learning where his cholesterol levels were.

To improve his cholesterol ratios he’s been alternating cardio with resistance training and eating proper amounts of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Terry says, “People don’t realize how important diet is; a lot of illnesses are brought on from poor diets. Since incorporating these diet and exercise changes, I can tell I have firmed up all over, I feel better physically and mentally, and I can better cope with stress. I feel better about life in general.”

Terry is grateful for his wife’s support in his lifestyle changes. He is excited to be around with his family and enjoy many great and healthy years to come.

Paul and Susan Stoddard with Hogan Construction

2009-08-31T08:43:00.000-07:00

For Paul and Susan Stoddard, it was the small changes that made the biggest difference. These Apple Program^® participants from Hogan Construction have implemented small changes into their lives, and have seen many beneficial improvements in their health consequently.

In the past, neither Paul nor Susan had been too successful with their health goals. Susan had quit drinking soda on her own, but neither had had the desire to make big lifestyle changes. Once they started with the Apple Program, they were excited to see how the program could help them. Susan said, “Just like everyone else, the years go by; you are working taking care of the house, yard and whatever else comes along, and I, for one, forgot about taking care of me.”

With the encouraging help from their Apple Health Coach^®, this couple noticed where they could make improvements in their food and exercise habits. Susan decided that she would try and avoid buying snacks while she was at work, so she began taking a yogurt, an apple, and a banana to work every day. Paul increased his fruits and vegetables slowly, by snacking on them throughout the day. He is now eating 5 fruits and vegetables a day, and has formed a habit.

Susan found that even when trying to make small changes, it was important to pick and choose goals that would be doable at the time. After working full days on her feet, Susan found that she was very tired and had a hard time exercising. She, with the help of her Apple Health Coach, brainstormed and decided that she would buy a stationary bike. It was something simple to help her continue to exercise, even after a long day at work.

Paul and Susan have had great success. Paul lowered his cholesterol and lost 25 pounds, and Susan lost 10 pounds and maintained the loss. Paul broke both of his feet a while ago, but the changes that he made while participating in The Apple Program helped him to lose the weight that he needed. Susan said that their successes happened very quickly after making the small changes, due to the changes being sustainable, manageable, and simple. She said that the changes also didn’t make them feel deprived. The Stoddards found that recognizing their success each day, even in their small goals, gave them the spark they needed to continue pushing forward with their goals.

“Sometimes you can be too logical—small changes make a difference.”

Wade Crandall with DHI

2009-08-31T08:41:00.000-07:00

Wade Crandall of DHI has achieved great success since working with The Apple Program^®. He’s lost 10 pounds and is enjoying the benefits that have come with it. His cardio workouts and the incorporation of water have helped Wade get in the direction he’d like to go with his health.

Wade attributes his success to the tracking of his goals online at The Apple Program’s website. Without that, he admits he probably wouldn’t have been as diligent in striving to meet his goals. Knowing that he’s to check in with his Apple Health Coach^®on a monthly basis, has also motivated Wade to stay caught up with his goals.

Wade enjoys fulfilling his exercise goals by running on a treadmill four days a week for 45 minutes. He plans to soon begin incorporating strength training as a part of his fitness regimen. His other goal is to consume 64 ounces of water each day to remain hydrated.

He’s enjoyed the results he’s seen with his weight loss and looks forward to continuing with his goals to get to his target weight. He would like to remind others, “When you lose weight you really do feel better and are able to accomplish tasks more easily.”

Mike and Tami Malan with Consultnet

2009-08-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

Mike and Tami of Consultnet have thoroughly been enjoying the perks of their new lifestyles. Mike and Tami both began making their changes by joining gyms and becoming members of LA Weight Loss. The results they experienced since then have motivated them to continue on their paths of incorporating health into their daily lives.

Mike has not only lost 40 pounds but the pain in his knees has ceased, he’s lowered his triglycerides and cholesterol, sleeps better, is able to go backpacking and fishing without being a straggler, and has more energy to fulfill his daily tasks. Tami has enjoyed the positive changes she’s noticed in her appearance and the extra stamina she gets when it comes to fulfilling her job.

They both made changes to their diet by adding more fruits and vegetables such as: apples, mangos, bananas, carrots, celery, and peas. Tami also enjoys having five small meals a day to prevent overconsumption of servings.

When it comes to exercising, Tami meets up with a friend in the mornings five days a week to walk and circuit train. Mike aims for 180 minutes of physical activity each week to maintain his weight loss.

The online goal tracker with The Apple Program^® has helped Mike and Tami maintain their focus and achieve their goals of maintaining optimum health. Mike has also enjoyed having the availability of an Apple Health Coach^® to turn to when he has questions regarding his fitness or nutrition regimens.

Mike is in charge of managing the benefits portion at Consultnet; this includes selecting cost efficient health plans. As Mike researched the high costs associated with chronic illness, he learned how important it was to have employees who were healthy and free of chronic diseases. In order to tackle these potential high costs, Consultnet decided to implement The Apple Program^® to keep their costs low. Mike has been very pleased with this decision, as the employees and their spouses are seeing beneficial results and giving positive feedback in regards to The Apple Program®. Mike is pleased that the program is not only benefiting him but his company as well.

Mike looks forward to moving on with his life in good health. He realizes that he will now have a higher quality of lifestyle, than he would have, if he hadn’t made these health changes. He would like to tell others, “You would not believe the positive impact 40 pounds of weight loss has on you, both physically and emotionally.”

Tami would also like to advise others, “Start small and gradually build upon those small changes, and then you will eventually develop good habits. Remember, you don’t need sweets, and you don’t need fast food to survive!”

Mike and Tami, as a couple, have come together and motivated and encouraged each other in their pursuit of health. They look forward to continuing on with that and enjoying many wonderful years of good health together.

Julie Hollist with Cache County

2009-08-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

Julie looks at health as an investment that you have to make in yourself every day. There are no shortcuts and it is hard work, but she is living proof that it can be done one step at a time.

Julie says that in some ways our advanced medical care is a disadvantage. We think we can neglect our health now and just fix it later, sort of like having a credit card; spend now but pay later. That’s a risky game to play though. Much better to make healthy choices now and enjoy good health later.

Julie knew when she began her journey towards better health that she didn’t want it to take the “all or nothing” approach. So many people start out making these drastic changes only to end up discouraged a month or so down the road when a piece of chocolate cake slips through their lips or they miss a workout.

To start, Julie decided to make 3 healthy choices every day. That might mean walking further to her car or choosing a small ice cream cone instead of a large one. The point is small, meaningful changes make a difference every day.

She says that time is going to pass regardless of what we do in that time. Making 3 healthy choices a day adds up to 1095 healthy choices over the course of a year. She figures that is a lot better than doing nothing and making no changes. Different things work for different people and Julie says the key is to just find something simple that works for you.

Having her Apple Health Coach^® right there to support her in her efforts has helped her to really stretch herself when making goals. The positive encouragement she receives makes a difference. Looking back on your goals and being able to say this is what I did do is motivating. It’s so important to focus on the positive.

She has gone from no exercise at all to doing something active nearly every day which is one of her greatest accomplishments. She is even working with a personal trainer once a week who really works her out, and she actually likes it! She has made major lifestyle changes and while she hasn’t met all of her goals yet, but clearly she is in it for the long haul.

“You can buy a lot of things in life, but you can’t buy good health.”

Rich Jensen with Blomquist Hale

2009-08-31T08:02:00.000-07:00

Rich Jensen with Blomquist Hale has been working hard with The Apple Program^®. With the help of his Apple Health Coach^® he has started eating better and watching his portion sizes. His coach taught him about satiation, how to recognize his fullness before he gets too full. Rich said that he has never been a dieter but The Apple Program has helped him change his lifestyle. He can focus on portion control instead of strictly on weight loss, which keeps him more motivated.

Along with watching his portion sizes, Rich enjoys being physically active. Twice a week he goes to the gym and lifts weights. He also plays basketball regularly. He is mindful about his exercises and tries not to be too intense. He knows he can make good choices regarding his health, and still enjoy life.

Rich’s advice to those that are struggling with becoming healthier is to take things slow. Everyone’s body is different. He has been able to maintain his weight while working with his health coach, which he feels is his success. He knows that it is most important to achieve your goals.

“Anyone can set a goal, but too often we find ways to justify not reaching our goals.”

Troy Worthen with Wheeler Cat

2009-05-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-26T15:53:00.000-07:00

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!

Diane and Doug Endorf with Intermountain Wood

2009-05-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

Diane and Doug Endorf, with Intermountain Wood, have been making healthy changes in their lifestyles since they joined The Apple Program^®. They admit that after their physical health assessments they both became aware of the importance and need to make changes in their lifestyles. “We want to see our kids when we are older.”

Although Diane and Doug are working on improving different biometrics, they find it is helpful to have accountability to their Apple Health Coach^® and to each other to accomplish their individual health goals. They both appreciate the creative ideas their coach offers to help them make lifestyle changes that are simple but effective.

Diane and Doug set a goal to make a new healthy, low calorie, low cholesterol recipe each week together. Since they started the program they have tried about 15 new recipes. Not only are they working on their health as a couple, but their healthy recipes are affecting their entire family. The healthy meat dishes are a particular hit with the kids and they feel it is more of a success when their kids like the recipes too! In addition to healthy family dinners they’ve been preparing lunches to take to work to avoid the temptation to grab something unhealthy.

The Endorf’s have also started a weekly exercise routine. They each take time to walk on their treadmill multiple times during the week which is easy to maintain during the cold winter months. In addition to walking Doug coaches basketball and says that helps give him an extra push. Diane says she’s starting to lose weight and is excited that some of her clothes are loose.
After 20 years of marriage you share all the good and the bad and the Endorf’s are finding strength in their partnership to improve their health so they can continue to enjoy their life together with their kids.

“Knowing that we have a plan and have a coach check-in helps us get healthier. Doing this program together has been helpful too.”

Roger Marshall with IC Group

2009-05-26T14:00:00.001-07:00

Roger Marshall with IC Group has had tremendous success in the short time that he has participated in The Apple Program^®. In only five weeks, Roger lost 27 pounds!

Roger admits that he knew he was going to have to work on his weight when he went to the assessment, although the driving force to participate was the money he got back for joining the program. He said that he was curious about his cholesterol and knew the health assessment would provide him insight into his potential health risks.

As he suspected the assessment was quite an awakening and it called him to immediate action. Before he even started talking to his coach, Roger tried to change his dietary habits. He said that he looked at what he was eating and how much he was eating. He said that he figured his portions were maybe too large. He focused on awareness without calorie counting. Roger feels that another huge contributor to his success was cutting back his soda intake. Roger went from about 60 ounces of soda a day, which equals approximately 800 calories, to drinking 12-20 ounces of soda per day.

In addition to the nutritional changes, Roger said that once he talked to his Apple Health Coach^® he knew he needed to start exercising more. After talking with his coach, he was inspired to get his health rider out of the basement. He started by using it three times per week for 30 minutes. Roger said that it helps to do it in front of his television or while listening to music.
“The Apple Program has been a really big help in achieving my goals. Talking to my coach gave me new ideas, one of which was to eat healthy snacks in between meals. The tips and information from my coach were all helpful. The incentive on the insurance gave me the go-to attitude to get motivated and just do it.”

UPDATE: As of week six of his personal wellness journey, Roger has successfully lost 34 pounds! He said that he has much more stamina when he exercises and that he has tons of energy in the mornings when he gets to be Mr. Mom.

Alberto Flores with Hogan Construction

2009-05-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

Alberto Flores, with Hogan Construction, has made small changes that have produced big results since joining The Apple Program^®. In the last three months, Alberto has lost over 20 pounds!

Alberto feels that his culture has affected so much of how he eats and with the help of The Apple Program he is learning to be more aware of what he eats in drinks. Where he used to eat about 12 tortillas per day now he only eats about two to three. Alberto also used to drink four to five cans of Pepsi each day and now it is rare to find him even drinking one per week. Instead of soda, Alberto focuses on drinking juice and water. He said it was hard to quit because he was so used to it, but the new benefits far outweigh the old habit.

In addition to the nutrition changes, exercise has played a huge role in Alberto’s great success. Before starting The Apple Program, Alberto used to play soccer, but not very consistently. After his assessment, he decided to go all out and buy a gym for his basement. Now he exercises at least two times per week. He really enjoys using his treadmill and doing resistance training, where he focuses on his legs and abdominal region because he feels these are the most important areas for him.

Alberto believes the program is very healthy for all people to help them establish and reach their goals. For him it was to lose weight. He understands now how important it is for people to improve their nutrition and activity levels. Although Alberto has lost over 20 pounds so far, he is working towards his overall weight loss goal to lose ten more pounds. He intends to do this by increasing his exercise to at least three times per week.

“It is a good idea to have a coach. There are so many people that have health risks and continue doing the same thing. A coach is great for helping break old habits and for promoting awareness. With my own motivation and the help of my coach, I am seeing great results!”

Rick Bass with Equitable

2009-05-26T13:12:00.000-07:00

Rick Bass with Equitable appreciates the support he receives from his company to get healthier through The Apple Program^®. Rick says, “Having this program shows that the company really cares.” Rick’s favorite part of the program was the initial physical health assessment that gave him the awareness that he needed to make healthy lifestyle changes. Rick now exercises four times per week, eats breakfast daily, and is candy and pop free.

At the health assessment Rick realized that his health was catching up with him. He said that “The Apple Program is good as it helps you get checked out. It helps people catch things early. For me, you don’t realize all the stuff that is going on with you. My cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and blood pressure scared me a little bit. You look at the results and go wow! Hello! What the heck are you doing? I used to run a lot in high school and be very physically active, but then I got busy with work and my growing family and I forgot to do the things I needed to do with my health. The awareness gave me the eye opening to make changes. If the program wasn’t here, I would not have made any changes because I would not have realized that there were changes that needed to be made!”

After the awakening experience, Rick took proactive steps in working with his Apple Health Coach^® to improve his health through nutrition and exercise. His coach pointed him in the right direction by educating Rick on foods that would help improve his cholesterol. Rick said that for 25 years he never ate breakfast. He now eats breakfast everyday and especially focuses on oatmeal to help with his cholesterol levels. Rick also admits that before starting the program he hardly drank anything throughout the day, with the exception of soda. Now Rick drinks large amounts of water and has completely removed soda pop from his diet. Additionally he has increased his fruit intake and decreased the amount of candy he eats to where he usually doesn’t even touch it anymore.

Rick can also be found at the gym three to four times per week working really hard. “I sweat enough for everybody in the gym,” Rick says. He enjoys the random hill settings on the recumbent bike and maintains a heart rate of 140 for 30 minutes. After his cardio workout, he hits the circuit weights for 25 to 30 minutes.

Rick’s enthusiasm and dedication to improving his health has influenced his family too. Rick’s wife now loves going to the gym so much that she goes twice per week. For her second workout, she and Rick usually go together.

“The bottom line is that I choose to be healthy so that I can have a higher quality of life.”

Meghan Bair with Cache County

2009-05-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

Meghan Bair with Cache County has had great success in the Apple Program^® despite her time constraints as a single mother. Meghan has successfully adopted lifestyle changes that have affected not only herself but her children as well.

In addition to being a single mother, Meghan has special considerations on her time caring for one of her children with disabilities. Meghan’s Apple Health Coach^® worked with her to set goals attainable goals that challenged her but fit into the schedule that she juggles. She appreciated the lengths her coach went to in supporting her. Meghan started by setting a goal to walk a mile every day and now she is walking three to four miles per day. She wears a pedometer everyday and she walks at least 18,000 steps. She set a goal to decrease her pop intake from 32 ounces per day to one or two sodas per week. As a result Meghan is feeling better physically and mentally.

Meghan’s new healthy lifestyle changes are affecting her whole family. Before starting the program, Meghan never used to eat breakfast and now she eats breakfast at least five times per week. As a result her entire family is eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner now. She is also cooking meals at home instead of taking everyone out to eat.

She said that it is not always easy to be consistent with her goals as a single mom who works full time, but she knows that it is worth it. She said that it helps to have a health coach that keeps her accountable. “Accountability is a huge part to me. I don’t want to report that I did nothing. I like to go above and beyond what I am supposed to do. That drive to report to somebody makes me more apt to do it.” Meghan admits that she probably wouldn’t have made these changes without her coach or the financial incentive to do the program.

“The little changes even with extreme time constraints are possible and do make a difference.”

Brent Moor with Brent Brown

2009-05-26T13:01:00.000-07:00

Brent Moore with Brent Brown attributes much of his health success to the accountability he receives through working with The Apple Program,^®. “Accountability for goals and for your health is achieved by having someone else there by your side motivating you. This is what The Apple Program offers me.”

In the last four months Brent said that he has been feeling great from exercising. He appreciates the energy boost and the 17 pounds he has lost so far! Brent has been working hard with the support of his son and his Apple Health Coach^® to reach his goals. Brent and his son get up at 5:00am to work-out four times per week. They have a routine where they alternate between swimming and resistance training. Brent admits that he had been working on his health goals for a while but was only doing the bare minimum. Brent believes much of his success is attributed to the frequency and velocity of what he and his son have been doing together. Brent is also training for his first 5K. In addition to his exercise routine, Brent has had great nutritional success by quitting soda completely. Again, he and his son worked on this together. They established a bet between the two of them that motivated them to keep clear of soda. Both he and his son have been soda free for over four months.

The original reason Brent joined the program was because it intrigued him that he was being offered this opportunity as a benefit from his employer. He thought it would be a great resource for stress management and a place to get free health information.

“Being a part of this program, exercising, tracking goals, and talking to my coach helped me relieve stress and prevent weight gain. My Coach is always excited when I have good news about my progress and she has always been really encouraging.”

Josh Rees with Associated Retail Stores

2009-05-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

Josh Rees, with ARS, has made great strides with his health since he joined The Apple Program^®. He admits that the financial incentive was the reason he started the program but once he got involved it wasn’t about the money anymore.

Josh attributes much of his success to the support he received from his Apple Health Coach^®. “I realized that if she cares this much about me, then I should care this much about me. Because she wants success for me, I want success for myself.” His coach would follow up with personalized emails in regards to what they talked about over the phone. Josh says that it was a feel- good situation and having someone there to motivate and encourage him was helpful.
Within four short months of beginning the program, Josh chose to become tobacco free. Josh hated telling his coach that he chewed and was motivated along with the caring support of his coach to let go of the habit and quit cold turkey. His coach gave him helpful ideas such as chewing gum and putting it in his lip like he used to do with the tobacco. With this tip eventually he weaned himself off of tobacco and the desire to chew it became non-existent. It wasn’t an easy process, as Josh shares, “It didn’t happen overnight, and it was really hard.” But being able to tell his coach he was tobacco free was extremely liberating. Without the presence of tobacco not only is Josh experiencing better health overall but his dentist agrees that the health of his mouth has greatly improved. And as you can tell, Josh is no longer afraid to show off his wonderful smile.

“There have been so many benefits from quitting. I used to get acid reflux and don’t anymore. I don’t have to worry about smiling and having stuff in my teeth or smelling like chew. Everything tastes better too!”

Josh’s blood pressure has improved since he quit tobacco and says that he doesn’t worry about getting cancer now.

“Don’t sabotage yourself for falling short. Just because you messed up keep working at it. If you have the determination and desire to change your health you can make it happen. It doesn’t happen overnight and it is hard, but it is worth it!”

Jeanine Stickney with Associated Foods

2009-05-26T12:42:00.001-07:00

Jeanine Stickney, with AFS, has had great success since working with The Apple Program^®. Within the course of one year, Jeanine has dropped her cholesterol by over 70 points! She attributes her success to the support she received from her Apple Health Coach^® and to changing her health behaviors.

Jeanine really likes the coaching and the fact that she can call and speak with her coach whenever she has a question. “I like the accountability and that someone cares about my health. My coach is always honest with me and tells it to me straight.” Knowing that her coach would ask her if she exercised or drank her water made her try harder. She also feels that the online goal tracker is a great tool that has been easy to use and is another form of motivation to continue moving forward and making progress.

Jeanine made simple changes that produced big results. In her nutrition, Jeanine started drinking more water and eating more salads. She brought fruit to snack on during the day so she wouldn’t be tempted by unhealthy snacks. At home Jeanine pulled out her Nordic Track and set it up in front of her computer. “Now, for every minute I spend on the Nordic track, I allow myself a minute to be on the computer, whether it's checking e-mail, e-bay, or Facebook.” Building up her walking habit she now spends a lot of time walking with her daughter and her grandbaby.

“The reason I like The Apple Program is because it helped me be accountable to myself through tracking my goals on the website and having an Apple Health Coach, who actually cared about my personal health.”

Sheriff Kirk Smith with Washington County

2009-01-29T15:17:00.001-08:00

Kirk Smith, known by most as “Sheriff Smith”, from Washington County wants YOU to be in The Apple Program^®!

When Kirk found out he would need to work with an Apple Health Coach^® he was not too thrilled about the idea. He said he thought it would be overwhelming and time-consuming with his busy lifestyle, and thought that a health coach would try to push him to do things that he didn’t have time for. But Kirk would be the first to admit that he has had a very different experience. His Apple Health Coach helped him to set simple and realistic goals that he could meet. “She saw a project in me,” he said. “I never felt like working with a coach was a burden. “ Kirk says that his personal health coach assisted him by advising him on his diet and helping him make aerobic exercise goals. During the year, he tore the rotator cuffs in both of his shoulders and had to adjust his workouts to activities like walking and lower-back exercises. “I greatly appreciated my coach and her personal touch. She always showed personal concern for me and talked to me like a friend. Without her, I don’t think I would have seen the success I have so far,” Kirk says. “I appreciated the reminders that my Coach gives me about my goals, as well as her willingness to be flexible with me as I try to meet the demands of my busy life.”

Like many, Kirk has had a high metabolism for most of his life. He maintained a healthy weight and a good physique without doing much exercise or watching what he ate. He says he experienced no consequences for poor habits. In the last few years, his age has begun to catch up with him. As his metabolism slowed down, he started to notice a few extra pounds. Since Kirk was accustomed to not being very active, the first change he made was joining a gym with his wife. He would much rather be playing sports than working out at a gym, but his age will not permit him to participate in the sports that he used to enjoy. While he still doesn’t enjoy the gym very much, he knows that the health benefits outweigh the hassle of going. Kirk and his wife have dedicated themselves to going to the gym each morning at 5 AM before they start their day.

Because of his commitment to living healthier, Kirk has lost eight pounds, has lowered his blood pressure, and has seen improvements in all of his other biometric scores as well. He no longer is required to work with a coach, but he says that he still enjoys talking to his Apple Health Coach occasionally because it helps him be accountable about his health. His success is not the result of any major changes, but rather he has just committed himself to doing small things that he was not doing before.

Kirk would highly recommend The Apple Program to anyone. He says that follow-up is his key to success, and The Apple Program provided this accountability through a coach, helping him to be more self-disciplined.

Sheriff Lynn Nelson with Cache County

2009-01-29T15:12:00.001-08:00

Sheriff Lynn Nelson with Cache County made small changes that have produced big results since joining The Apple Program^®. Over the course of a year he lost over 30 pounds and was able to successfully maintain the weight loss.

To Sheriff Nelson, the plan is simple. Eat right and exercise and the results will come. Sheriff Nelson felt motivated to achieve these goals because of the accountability he has to his Apple Health Coach^®. One major difference that he implemented in his lifestyle this past year was consistent physical activity. Sheriff Nelson said, "I started to exercise – nothing dramatic. I went on walks, worked on the yard, and did simple things to get in my physical activity." Another small change that paid huge dividends was eating out smart. "For lunch, instead of choosing a hamburger joint, I would go to a sandwich place and eat something lighter . Sometimes I would go for a soup or salad." This helped cut calories which in turn helped cut pounds. Another simple change was starting to eat a light breakfast each morning to get his metabolism going.

Sheriff Nelson said that having a coach gave him the accountability he needed to really make a difference. He said that telling his coach what he did for nutrition and exercise motivated him to do well. He also remarked that by not setting his goals too high he was able to achieve one simple goal at a time which ultimately led to a huge success of 30 pounds weight loss and improvements in all of his biometrics.

"Starting small and simple really helped me get in the mode of following through. My first nutritional goal was that I would allow myself to salt at least three times a week which was a big challenge for me because I used to salt everything. My advice is do something. Even if it is only one thing, do that. The small things really add up."

Susan Howe with Utah County

2009-01-29T15:06:00.000-08:00

Susan Howe with Utah County has made great strides in her health since working with The Apple Program^®. For Susan, the best part is that she has lost weight the healthy way by making small and simple changes.

Susan said that for the last few years she has not been able to hit her target weight. With the support Susan receives from her Apple Health Coach^® she has been able to break her plateau and successfully reach one of her weight benchmarks. She said that it has taken a long time do this, but it is well worth it.

Susan admits that the first step towards change is breaking away from complacency. It is difficult to change everything at once so Susan's coach encouraged her to make healthy replacements wherever possible. When Susan thought she didn't have time to work-out every day due to her busy schedule, her coach encouraged her to walk during her breaks at work. Susan took the challenge and found a hill nearby that she now does her best to do every day during her lunch hour. On days where her work schedule does not permit, Susan can be found power walking on her treadmill listening to the IPOD she won from winning a Healthy Lifestyle's competition. Susan said that listening to music while she works out helps give her energy. In addition to exercise, her coach encouraged her to make small changes where possible with her nutrition. Susan tries her best to get healthy breakfasts during the week, but when she can't she makes sure to do it on the weekends. She said her coach encourages her just to do her best and to not be so hard on herself. Susan feels that her coach goes above and beyond her duties as a health coach and instead is more of a friend and mentor. Because of the positive encouragement, Susan now chooses water instead of soda and healthy snacks like carrots and celery instead of unhealthy snacks like chips and cookies.

"The key to my success has been my desire to have a healthy body so that I can do the things I enjoy."

Vanessa Borders with Tooele County

2009-01-29T14:55:00.000-08:00

Vanessa Borders with Tooele County has seen great results since joining The Apple Program^® that have changed her attitude about her health.

Vanessa says that one of her favorite parts about The Apple Program is the health assessment and the awareness that it gave her. After completing her first assessment, Vanessa was called to action as she realized that she had no clue that she had let her health get to where it was. She says that by making small changes she was able to see results. Vanessa started to walk two times per day and to do Tai Bo. As far as nutrition, Vanessa tried to do the little things that eventually added up like eating whole grains instead of white bread and drinking water instead of soda.

After a year of hard work and encouragement from her Apple Health Coach^®, Vanessa was pleased with her biometric results. Saw improvements in her cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, and especially her body composition. Vanessa lost almost 30 pounds!
“The politeness of the program made me feel comfortable where I was at, but engaged me enough to set realistic goals to help me change. I realize now that attitude is everything.”

Han Butler with Stores Online

2009-01-29T14:49:00.000-08:00

Han Butler with Stores Online has seen great results since joining The Apple Program^®. In the past three months,Han has lost over 36 pounds!

Han believes that he is "one bad apple" because he now eats a lot of whole and organic foods – especially fruits and vegetables. Over 70% of his food intake now comes from raw foods. "I started out with a goal to eat two servings of fruits and vegetables and now I don't even need to count. I can eat as much as I want because they are so low in calories." Han also believes he can attribute his success to the fact that he has removed caffeine and carbonation from his diet. "I feel healthier and can feel a difference especially when I am playing basketball. I feel much more energy than before and I can perform better in athletics more than I have been able to in a long time."

"My Apple Health Coach^® has been awesome with me as she is really encouraging. She was able to help me find goals that were in my comfort zone. She has helped me get back into cardio and resistance training. Whereas before I was mainly doing more cardio, I am now doing training three times per week which is helping me lose weight. My coach keeps me accountable and because she is outside of my everyday circle, she really helps me stay on top of it. My coach rocks! Tracking and seeing the charts online have really motivated me to work harder too. Thanks Apple!"

Jose Weffer with Ken Garff

2009-01-29T14:44:00.000-08:00

Jose Weffer with Ken Garff has made big health changes since he started The Apple Program^®. Jose's focus was to feel healthier and lose some weight. His Apple Health Coach^® helped him choose goals that led him towards a lasting healthier lifestyle. Jose says the most significant goal he made was drinking water. After years of drinking mostly soft drinks and other beverages, the habit of drinking water took awhile for Jose's body to get used to. He also started eating breakfast, which is something he normally didn't make time for. Eating breakfast helped him feel better during the day and make healthier decisions during lunchtime. He used to eat fast food almost every day, but since starting The Apple Program, he thinks more about the calories that he is taking in and fast food is rarely a part of his diet. He has also reduced his red meat intake and eats a lot more vegetables than he ever has before.

Although Jose has always been an active person, he started to do more concentrated exercise than he was used to. Jose's Apple Health Coach helped him by following up on his progress. She motivated him to be consistent with his goals and encouraged him with the goals that were hard for him to stick to.

Due to the healthy lifestyle Jose has created this year, he has lost over 25 pounds! Most importantly, Jose feels more confident about himself and his ability to maintain his weight and his health. As he is enjoying the holidays, he knows that he can have the foods he loves without gaining too much weight as long as he is conscious of his body and his health.

The Apple Program played a big part in Jose's success by motivating him to accomplish his health goals. The program gave him a lot of the answers he was looking for in order to change his life and the tools he needed to empower himself by making him accountable for his health.

Jose is very goal-oriented and once he got the push from The Apple Program and his coach, success came easily. "I have the mindset that if it can be done by someone else, I can do it too!"

Bridgett Heim with Inthinc

2009-01-29T14:37:00.001-08:00

Bridgett Heim with Inthinc believes that The Apple Program^® and the support of her Apple Health Coach^® truly helped her take control of her health.

Since joining The Apple Program, Bridgett has made many positive lifestyle changes that have helped her to lose over 38 pounds this past year. She said that one day everything she knew she needed to do just clicked and she said, "Holy cow! This is awesome!" Before starting the program Bridgett admits she never ate breakfast but is something that has now become a daily ritual. Bridgett said that her fruit and vegetable consumption is much better now as well. She currently eats at least four servings of fruits and vegetables every day! Bridgett appreciates that her coach will give her new fresh ideas to get her fruit in for the day. "Simple things like suggesting to peal my orange before leaving for work really made a difference and encouraged me to eat it." Bridgett has found that the little things such as refraining from putting butter and salt on her food really do make big differences.

In addition to her nutritional changes, Bridgett has also increased her exercise and has found ways to incorporate it into her busy schedule. Bridgett moved her treadmill to her second job so that she could get her cardio in at breaks. She also started to walk more with her kids and is dusting off and using the equipment she has at home. "My coach has been such a positive reinforcement. She is totally up – there is never a down moment with her. I picked my coach initially because of her sparkling smile and she is really just as sparkling and positive as her picture portrays. I know I still have a long way to go, but with hard work and determination I will hit my 50 pound weight loss goal before Christmas."

Marlene Hadley with Harmons

2009-01-29T14:21:00.000-08:00

Marlene Hadley with Harmon’s has truly crossed the finish line since working with The Apple Program^®. She said at first she didn’t take The Apple Program seriously, but after seeing her biometrics, she knew she needed to do something about her health. She decided to start running and with the help and support of her Apple Health Coach^® who was a collegiate runner, she hit the track. Marlene said she started out only able to run 1/4 of the track, but with her determination to run every night after work she now competes in 5Ks and has been in the top of her age group for every race.

With her new found passion for running, Marlene has seen big payoffs in her health. Since January, her body fat percentage has dropped seven percent, she has lost three inches of her waist circumference and her cholesterol has dropped significantly.

“They say that you are just a jogger until you sign up for your first race and then you are a runner. I am a runner now! At 56 years old I decided that if I didn't control my health it would control me. I started running and have run many 5Ks coming in either first or second! My goal is to run a race every month and prepare for a half marathon next year. I wouldn’t have been motivated to do this on my own – Thanks Apple!”

Anita Stiens with Equitable

2009-01-29T13:26:00.000-08:00

Anita Stiens with Equitable has had a positive experience working with The Apple Program^®. She admits that she originally started the program to try it out and see if her policy owners would like it. Then when she realized that "this is a really great thing" she wanted to stick with it.

Anita's main focus this year has been to be more physically fit. Every week she wanted to ride her stationary bike and or go walking outside. She said that her goal was also to incorporate some weight lifting exercises to help strengthen her bones and to develop more muscular strength and endurance. She's been motivated to successfully accomplish these goals because she knows that she needs to report to her Apple Health Coach^®. every month. According to Anita, "accountability makes a huge difference." She said that her coach is always a source of positive reinforcement for her. When she is not doing her best, her coach will help her come up with creative solutions that get her out of her rut without being pushy or overbearing. Her coach even helped her with fresh creative ideas on how to meet her goals despite her busy schedule.

"It is the combination of the coaching and the problem solving that really help. My coach is always on the same wave length with me and knows exactly what I need and what will work best for me. She gives great advice, pushes me in the right direction and gives me the motivation that I need to make positive change and move forward."

Anita is proud of what she has accomplished this year and knows that she has much more energy, is much more alert, and sleeps better this year now that she is working with The Apple Program. "This program is just very refreshing for me. My advice to others contemplating doing the program would be, 'Don't hesitate to use a coach. The encouragement is very positive and for me it has gotten great results.'"

Brian Maxfield with Cedar City

2009-01-29T13:19:00.000-08:00

Brian Maxfield with Cedar City has had great success and has seen amazing results since he started The Apple Program^®. In four months Brian lost over 50 pounds! Additionally, his cholesterol dropped by over 40 points, his diastolic blood pressure dropped by over 20 points, his triglycerides dropped by over 137, his glucose dropped over 50 points, and he lost four inches around his waist. Way to go Brian!

Even more important than Brian's success on the scale and with his biometrics is his improved quality of life. Brian will be the first to tell you that "it feels good" to now be able to comfortably hike to Angel's Landing with his family, improve his golfing skills through increased flexibility, and to watch the news while he does spinning on his stationary bike.

Brian remarks that from the very beginning he was excited about the program. Over the years the weight gain had been gradual, but after getting his assessment results in late June he knew he needed to take action and make changes in his life. Brian said that The Apple Program helped show him the path to make those changes. Brian set specific and measurable goals with his Apple Health Coach^® which were gradually increased as he successfully mastered each goal. Brian attributes much of his success to eating a healthy breakfast each day, getting 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, doing aerobic exercise for 30 minutes daily, and doing strength training three times each week as well.

Brian knows the other reason for his success is accountability. He feels the tracking system set up through The Apple Program as well as his own personal food journal helped him to succeed. Knowing that his coach would call him to discuss his progress was motivational as well.Brian expressed his feelings about The Apple Program and his success best when he said "You can kid yourself for a long time knowing you need to make changes, but this program provides the vehicle to make those changes and see measurable results."

Ed Warner with Associated Food Stores

2009-01-29T13:09:00.000-08:00

Ed Warner, with Associated Food Stores, has seen how small lifestyle changes can produce big results since joining The Apple Program^®.

Ed saw great changes all across the biometric board! Over the course of a year working with an Apple Health Coach^® Ed has lost almost 50 pounds, he is off of three different medications, his triglycerides decreased by over 150 and his cholesterol decreased by over 40 points! Although Ed is very proud of all of these improvements this year, his greatest goal was focused on being able to come completely off insulin. In order to do this Ed knew he would get to decrease his A1Cs. So far he has dropped them from 10.1 to 4.7. Ed admits that he started the program taking 100 units of insulin and now he is almost insulin free.

“I’ve still got a ways to go, but I am on the right track. My ultimate goal is to break away from insulin all together”.

Ed attributes his success to the nutritional suggestions and motivation that his Apple Health Coach gave him throughout the year. Although he appreciates the help received from his doctor, Ed was grateful for nutritional recommendations of his Coach instead of quick-fix pill recommendations. Ed says “The Apple Program is great because it focuses on preventable things.” The program provided him the support team that he needed to accomplish his goals. Ed says it is nice to talk to someone who could give him the “rah rah rah” and the “way to go boy” motivation that only his Apple Health Coach could offer.

“I went down from a tight 44 to a loose 38. The Apple Program has been great for me! My coach made all the difference.”

Dustin Nichols with Inthinc

2008-11-12T15:59:00.000-08:00

Dustin Nichols with Inthinc has had great success since starting The Apple Program™. In April, Dustin decided to make little changes that produce big results. In the past five months, Dustin has lost 20 pounds!

Dustin attributes his 20 pounds of weight loss to eating breakfast every morning. When Dustin first started the program, he and his coach discussed the importance of eating breakfast and the role it plays in jump starting metabolism and helping with weight loss. Since then, he has hardly missed a day. Dustin’s favorite breakfast of choice is his own homemade fruit smoothie. In this way, Dustin is able to meet his breakfast goal and get in his daily 2-3 servings of fruits as recommended by the 5 a Day National Challenge of fruits and vegetable servings. In addition to his breakfast goal, Dustin is working out doing both cardio and resistance training at least once each week.

Keep up the great work Dustin!

Donny Atuaia with Heritage Schools

2008-11-12T15:57:00.000-08:00

Donny Atuaia, with Heritage Schools, became the Biggest Loser while working with The Apple Program™.

In an effort to help people successfully realize their New Year’s weight loss resolutions, Heritage Schools ran a quarterly competition, which fittingly for the month of January was The Biggest Loser Competition. Donny participated in the competition which ran from January 1 to March 31. Donny set goals with his Apple Health Coach™ which helped get him back on track. He said that the exercise goal of going to the gym played a major role in helping him to lose the weight. He also said that he intensified his training and watched what he ate. To satisfy the sweet tooth, Donny found other substitute foods for his treats. He has been eating fruits as sweet substitutes and it has made a big difference. In addition to Donny’s goals, he said that the tips of the month his Apple Health Coach™ sent him really helped.

Donny’s weight loss did not end once he became the winner of the Biggest Loser competition. From January to now he has lost nearly 50 pounds! Donny’s favorite quote from Henry Ford that his wife always reminds him about is “If you think you can or can not you are right.” Donny approached this with a “think you can” attitude and has accomplished something great. As Donny would say, “I am the Biggest Loser.”

Howard & Marianne Petersen with Utah County

2008-11-12T15:56:00.000-08:00

As a couple, Howard and Marianne Petersen have had great success working with The Apple Program™.

In the past two years of working with Apple Health Coaches, Howard and Marianne combined have lost over 40 pounds! Each of them has their individual successes that support their common goal of being healthy and active so that they can enjoy their family.

Howard said that one of his greatest successes is having a new found awareness of what he is eating. He said that he had to buy new pants and a new suit after working hard at his goals and losing over 30 pounds. He also appreciates the accountability. “The accountability is one of the best parts because I know that I have to report at the end of the week.” Howard will be the first to admit that he started doing the program for the money. Because he and his wife participate in the program they pay lower monthly premiums. Although the financial incentive lured him in at first, he has continued participating because he feels a lot better now than when he started the program.
Here is what Howard has to say, “The biggest success I would think would be stopping to think about what I eat and knowing that exercise is something I will have to do for the rest of my life. I have lost some weight, but more important than a diet, this is a lifestyle program.”

Marianne has also had success working with The Apple Program™. Marianne has lost over ten pounds and has seen significant changes in her blood work. She said that it is discouraging to have to realize that you actually have to do something. “We have to break those habits and it is taking effort and work. Knowing that my coach will be there and that I have to be accountable helps me to keep going and not give up. We have seen what life can do if you don’t make good choices, so we are trying to make good ones. We want to be healthy and active into our later years.”

Howard and Marianne put it best, “We enjoy improving our lifestyles so that we can have a happy future with our children and grandchildren.”

Kevin Maddock with Rhodes Bake-N-Serve

2008-11-12T15:37:00.000-08:00

Kevin Maddock with Rhodes Bake-N-Serve has worked hard and is experiencing great success working with his Apple Health Coach™.

Kevin was challenged to train for the Bike fundraiser for the State Chapter of Multiple Sclerosis. He said that he thought about it for a few weeks before deciding to go for it.

Kevin successfully biked a total of 122 miles over the course of two days of riding! Kevin never thought he could do something like that. The Apple Program™ helped him to set small step goals that led to the point where he was riding his bike three to four times per week. Now biking is not something that he feels required to do, but something that he truly wants to do.

“It is actually kind of fun to do this cycling thing and to push myself a little bit.” .

Kevin’s training and increased exercise through his new found enthusiasm for biking have created measurable results. In the course of 18 months Kevin has lost 40 pounds and no longer needs to take blood pressure medications. After having taken blood pressure medications for over ten years, Kevin is very pleased with his progress.

“Eighteen months of encouragement from a coach at The Apple Program™ was instrumental in setting a goal to ride in Utah’s BikeMS cycling event. One hundred and twenty two miles over two days, I never would have done this without my coach’s weekly encouragement either through email or by telephone. An added bonus from this is I am off blood pressure medication for the first time in over ten years. I feel healthier and more fit for the first time in years! Now when people want to ride bikes my reply is ‘Let’s go!!!’”

Kevin said that he still has a long way to go before he reaches his overall goal, but he knows that when he puts in the time and effort he will see results. Kevin said, “I know it will take some time and hard work to get there, but I am up for the challenge."