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.”
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.”
