Kimberly Johnson with Ken Garff

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.”