HealthMiles Blog

National Employee Wellness Month: The Healthies!

To coincide with June's third annual National Employee Wellness Month, Virgin HealthMiles is pleased to present our first annual "Healthies" awards. These awards recognize individuals that have demonstrated overall excellence in improving their health. The Healthies celebrate the spirit of healthy behavior change taking place across the nation, and provide an opportunity for individuals to be recognized for their efforts to improve and maintain healthy lifestyles.

This year's recipients include:

• Jon H., Birmingham, AL
• Monique D., Kingston, WI
• Abby S., Kuttawa, KY
• Donna S., Maple Shade, NJ
• Sharon M., Chester, VT
• Toni Q., Frankfort, KY
• Nancy W., Albany, OR
• Mary S., Colorado Springs, CO
• Chas M., Rockport, TX
• Lauren C., Birmingham, AL
• Ramona W., Greeley, CO
• Nick M, Nashville, TN
• John G., Germantown, TN
• Nick E., Duluth, GA

 

Thanks to everyone who submitted their stories and congratulations to our recipients for all their hard work!

 

Healthies Member Spotlight: Nick E.

Walking my way to good health and a 159lb weight loss!

I began this journey in August 2009 at 360lbs with a BMI of 50+ at the age of 59. I was in generally poor health and being treated with med ications for Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, Sleep Apnea, and High Cholesterol. I finally came to a realization that something had to change with my life choices towards food and activity. At that time, I started a 1500 calorie a day balanced diet combined with a new dedication to get more exercise through a multiday per week  “Walking” program.  

I first obtained my Virgin HealthMiles pedometer in January, 2010 after successfully losing 45lbs since August 2009. Once I was able to begin tracking my w alking steps through my HealthMiles pedometer inputs and see the positive Virgin HealthMiles site feedback, I became even more dedicated to pursue better health and more weight lose by increasing my daily steps.

By August, 2010 I had lost a total of 90lbs and was ready to take it to the next level. I elected to have a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Bariatric surgical procedure to provide an additional tool to use towards ob taining my goals. After my surgery, I accelerated my walking / tracking program and reduced my calories to 500-1000 a day. By February 2011 after 18 months on the program, I have lost a total of 159 lbs and continue to strive for another 22 lbs loss to get down to a normal BMI before my 61^st birthday in June.

During this journey I have been able to resolve all my starting health issues referenced above and come off all my preprogram medications. I now have an abundance of energy and an excitement to enjoy my life that I have not had in many years.

I feel strongly that the Virgin HealthMiles program has been a key tool in enhancing self discipline and providing critical positive visual feedback that has kept me focused on my end goal of improving my quality of life and hopefully extending my life time significantly.

Before                                                After

 

 

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Healthies Member Spotlight: John G.

To say that this little pedometer and the Virgin HealthMiles program has helped me change my life would be an understatement.  After about 130 days into the program, I have lost 27 pounds, taken over 1.2 million steps, and traveled over 627 miles!  A year ago I would have never thought this was possible.  

The pedometer, to me, serves each day as my new life coach, my reminder, and friend. I remember in January while at some sales meetings in St. Louis, I thought I had lost my pedometer. I immediately got online and ordered a new one. For days I felt lost. But, even without my little buddy, I still continued on.  I stuck to my workout routine, kept up the running and walking, even though I was not getting any "credit" for it through the program. I knew I was getting credit for it in my body.

I am more healthy now, eat more sensibly, and feel great!  I have a new home workout and travel workout system set up that I follow religiously.  My target goal for total weight loss is 45 pounds, and I am over halfway there.

And, I owe it all to this little "button" that I wear each day.

 

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Healthies Member Spotlight: Nick M.

I was diagnosed with Type-1 (Juvenile) Diabetes 22 years ago, at age three. This is the time when most kids are exploring the limitless possibilities in the world; I also discovered the restrictions that would follow me for the rest of my life. Diabetes is one of the only diseases that affects every part of the body. It is something I deal with every minute of every day. It makes life difficult at times, but I will not let it stop me.

I decided to start training for my first half-marathon to prove to myself that I am just as healthy and capable as anyone else. For me, the toughest challenge has been balancing so much physical activity with my food intake and medication. Even the slightest difference in nutrition and physical activity affects blood sugar levels. As I started training, I was struggling with meeting my own goals and in turn, became very unhappy with myself. But these days I feel like I have reached the peak of my health. My blood sugar levels have never been better - almost the same as a non-diabetic. This is quite an achievement for me, as diabetes is a constant balancing act and my future health is something I think about often. Running gives me something to strive for that is achievable with hard work and determination, two things I have plenty of!

I use Virgin Health Miles through my employer. The HealthMiles program helps me track my steps and keep up with how far I run. I really enjoy having the pedometer. It has provided me with a way to log my running and to get a clear picture of what I need to do to reach my goal of crossing the finish line at the Country Music Half Marathon. I've never felt better about myself and I haven't even gotten to the race yet!

I will not let diabetes slow me down. Crossing the finish line will prove that and hopefully inspire others to wear their GoZone pedometer every day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Healthies Member Spotlight: Ramona W.

I got the pedometer in January last year because I wanted the joining incentive my company was offering.  I thought the idea of walking for exercise was a good one, and I thought having a pedometer would provide some motivation for me. Little did I realize just how *much* motivation it would provide for a nerd like me who has some obsessive/compulsive tendencies. 

I started wearing the pedometer pretty much every day, but didn’t put any effort into increasing the number of steps that I walked. The first few months I averaged around 4,000 steps a day. I read on the Virgin Healthmiles website that 7000 steps a day equals ‘enough’ exercise, so I set a goal for myself of 7,500 steps a day.  Then a new fitness instructor started working at the on-site fitness center at work. She started a daily 15 minute exercise class, and I started going to that almost every day. 

After just a couple of months, I noticed a small but very satisfying change. I have a two year old grandson, who has two speeds—on and off. Visiting him is like getting a full body workout at the gym. At the end of a day with him, I would be utterly exhausted.  But, after just a couple of months of 7,500 steps a day and a 15 minute exercise class 4-5 days a week, I realized that I wasn’t quite so tired after spending a day with him.

Then my husband was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In researching what kind of eating plan would be beneficial for him, I started making changes to our diet. I have found an eating plan that works for us, is healthy, and in conjunction with getting my steps and going to exercise class, I’m losing weight. It’s not real fast, but I know that I’m making life long changes (I’m not just trying to get into ‘that’ dress next week) so slow is okay.

While on vacation last year, the resort where we stayed offered a hike one day. In the past I wouldn’t have even considered it, but this time I signed up for it as soon as I learned about it. I was a little concerned about whether I would make it the entire way or not, but the leader assured me that I could turn around at any point that I chose. I made it all the way to the top and back. The leader told me afterward that less than 50% of the people he takes on that hike make it the whole way. Not too bad for a 52 year old woman who has only recently chosen to become more active!

Now my daily goal is 8,000 steps, and I have several ‘tricks’ that help me achieve that goal. 

• I take the long way around to go to the restroom or the printer at work: (approx 200 steps each trip).
• I usually take one walk to the other end of the building and back each day: (approx 600 steps).
• I park a little farther away from the building than I have to: (I haven’t looked to see how many steps that is).
• When I’m at the grocery store, even though I shop mostly the perimeter of the store, I walk every single aisle: (approx 2000 steps).
• When I’m waiting in line to check out at the grocery store, I walk in place: # of steps varies based on how long I have to wait. (On a related note, I often wonder if other people in line think I’m doing the “potty dance” when I’m walking in place). 
• I walk in place while watching television in the evening: (whatever it takes me at the end of my day to get to 8,000 steps).

Watching those HealthMiles accumulate is something I really like to see. Even if I don’t see results elsewhere in my body as quickly as I would like, I know when I look at the healthmiles I am doing good things for my body. I also like entering my data (weight, blood pressure, and % body fat) each month just to see those numbers slowly going down.

I get HealthMiles for loading my data, participating in challenges, and achieving certain goals, and the nerdy satisfaction of seeing the numbers. Like I said, a pedometer and the Virgin Health Miles website are great tools for a nerd with some obsessive/compulsive tendencies. 

 

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Healthies Member Spotlight: Lauren C.

I don’t have a story to tell you about how I’ve lost 50+ pounds or about how I’ve drastically improved my health since joining Virgin HealthMiles, but I do want to tell you about how remembering to wear my pedometer every day also means that I’m remembering to think about my health each day and stay motivated.

About 3 years ago, I made the decision to get active and start eating better. I began thinking about health-related choices that I made each day, and I dropped about 40 lbs through diet change and exercise.

 So before I got my Virgin HealthMiles pedometer, I was already eating pretty healthy and exercising at least 30 minutes a day, 4-5 days a week. I’m still following the same routine most days, but having my pedometer on inspires me to do a little extra. Say I get home and I already have 7,000 steps for the day. I may think about how if I just got on the treadmill or went hiking, how easy it would be to go ahead and go for 12,000 steps. Or when I volunteer at my local Human Society on weekends, it inspires me to walk just a few more dogs before I go home. If I’m walking on the treadmill, thinking about my steps will push me to amp it up to a jog.  Some weekends, if I’ve been lazy, seeing a low number on my pedometer will motivate me to go take a walk outside for a while or go jog at the gym while I watch TV. Wearing my pedometer helps me keep myself in check, adding to an already pretty healthy lifestyle.

 So I would tell people that just because you can’t say “I dropped 100 lbs with Virgin HealthMiles!” doesn’t mean your mindset hasn’t changed or that you’re not a healthier person for joining Virgin HealthMiles.  Wearing your pedometer can be like exercising with a buddy. You look down at it, know you can do better, and push yourself to go a little faster for a little longer. Over time, these small changes add up to make a big difference in your health!

(And I have lost about 12 lbs since joining!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Healthies Member Spotlight: Chas M.

After following a life of steady exercise in my youth and young adulthood, when I reached age forty in 1984, I lapsed into a sedentary lifestyle. Coming later to my senses, I started an exercise routine in 1995 by walking approximately three and a half miles per day five days a week. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with Adult Type II Diabetes at age 63 in 2008 after failing a glucose tolerance test.

I began taking the prescribed drug Metformin twice daily with meals but I still kept to my same exercise routine. After becoming a participant of the Virgin HealthMiles through my company in 2009, I noted that the program now inspired me to walk six days a week from my original five.

Early in the year 2010, I expanded my walking regimen to seven days a week and I also made a personal goal to take a minimum of twelve thousand steps per day. Accordingly, I began to consciously examine food and drink labels for sugar content to make wiser and more informed decisions in my daily diet.

In late 2010, my physician informed me that my diabetes was well under control and complimented my personal choices to take control of my life. While he said that dietary changes were certainly important, he believed my increased level of exercise was perhaps the most meaningful contributions to my success in mitigating the effects of this affliction. That's the news I needed to hear.

 My dedication to this exercise program knows no limitations. I split my routine into early morning and late afternoon sessions. Living on the Texas Gulf Coast enables me to couple my exercise with observing and appreciating the wonders of nature. My morning walk prepares me for the coming work day, and my afternoon sessions helps me unwind.

 My heartfelt thanks to Virgin HealthMiles!

 

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Healthies Member Spotlight: Mary S.

My story of weight loss is somewhat typical of many others. I started the Virgin Healthmiles program in 2008. I was pregnant at the time and didn’t have the motivation to get up and move. After I came back to work from maternity leave, I only averaged 3,000 – 4,000 steps a day, and that was when I remembered to wear it. I work as an administrative assistant. Most of my work day is spent sitting down in front of a computer. When I got home, I didn’t feel like doing much except relaxing, taking care of my two children, and playing games on the Xbox 360 or on the computer.  

In 2009, I thought I’d step it up a notch. I started wearing my pedometer. I went to the gym. I even paid for a personal trainer, just to give it a try. I actually hit my first 12,000+ step day during this time!  Then, life got busy. I made excuses. I used up my last personal training session and I lost interest. Months went by without logging in a single step. I’d get back on board for a day or two and lose interest again. I was a model of yo-yo dieting and exercising. I would wax and wane in my progress. 

My biggest motivator came near the end of summer. My fiancé of nearly five years and I had finally set a date, June 3^rd, 2011. We were finally going to have a wedding. I was an appalling 236 pounds and my dress size was a size 22/24W.  My favorite pair of work pants was my maternity pants from two years ago. In fact, I weighed more than I did during my last trimester with my second child. I finally looked at myself in the mirror and thought to myself, “Do I really want to walk down the aisle looking like this?”

 In July 2010, I got a new pedometer after losing my previous one and I started wearing my pedometer every day. I set my goal to hit 7,000+ steps a day on most days of the week. I parked at the back of the parking lot at work. I walked during my lunch break. If the weather was bad, I’d walk and read a book in our conference room at work. I used the stairs more often than the elevator. I dusted of our Wii Fit at home and did some of the activities there to make sure I got my 7,000 steps for the day. 

In September, 2010 I stepped up everything I was doing. I started going back to the gym and attending Zumba classes. I even tried Turbo Kickboxing. I began to watch my calories and fat intake. I ate appropriate portions. I set a new goal with my daily steps, 12,000 steps or more!  This was a big challenge, especially with my job duties at work. But I was determined. Also, by setting my goal to 12,000 steps, I almost guaranteed that I would hit 7,000 and have a qualified session. I was even motivated enough to go on an early hike with my dad. Early in the hike I felt like I was going to just pass out. But I was motivated to keep going and my dad encouraged me by saying that I could do it. With his help, I hit my first 20,000+ day!  The more I was motivated, the more likely I was to keep my steps up. By the end of September, I had lost 17 pounds! 

I kept my motivation going and continued losing weight. By the end of 2010, I was down to 205 pounds, 31 pounds less than my starting weight! The holidays slowed me down a bit and brought back some of my bad eating habits. Now it is 2011 and I still have more weight to lose. I solidified my promise to lose weight by buying a wedding dress one size less than what I am currently. I found a bargain I could not pass up, and it's a size 14. I’ve managed to get myself down to a size 16W from my 22/24W.  One more dress size should be as easy as stepping it up and watching what I eat. 

Though I let the holidays get the best of me and my activity waned from what it once was, I have motivated myself once again. I have gone back to the gym, been taking Zumba and Turbo Kickboxing classes, going on walks with coworkers, and playing games on the Kinect for Xbox 360 at home. I have three more months to lose weight and fit into my wedding dress. I now know what activity levels I need to achieve based on my history on the Virgin Healthmiles website. I use my GoZone to make sure I am on track and getting back to weight-loss achieving steps. I can’t wait to finally get married and to fit into my wedding dress!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Healthies Member Spotlight: Monique D.

 
Before                           After

It all started with one little pedometer. . . .

I first joined Virgin HealthMiles in July 2008. I weighed just over 250 lbs and thought I could use a little motivation to help me start exercising. I hated being obese and always feeling bad. I was ashamed of how I looked, how much space I took up in the world and how little I could do.  After about a month in the program, I made a commitment to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

I changed my eating habits by eating healthy, nutritious foods at mealtimes, stopped "snacking" on junk food and candy, and eventually added in mid-morning and mid-afternoon protein meals. I am constantly amazed at how much I love the taste of fruits and vegetables that I would never have eaten before I changed my eating habits.

I started walking as much as I was able to every day. I would walk during my breaks at work, during my lunch hour and in the evenings. At first I couldn't walk very far, less than a 1/4 of a mile, but eventually that increased to a mile or two at a time and I started doing other forms of exercise. I joined Anytime Fitness and started working out at least 2-3 times a week on their cardio machines. In February 2009, I started learning Hwa Rang Do, which is a traditional Korean martial art. By August 2009, I had lost over 100 lbs. I now do at least some form of exercise seven days a week. I even started weight lifting last year to help me gain strength for my martial art.

Now people who haven't seen me for a while never recognize me now. I am in a constant state of redefining my body and improving my life physically, mentally and spiritually.

 

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Healthies Member Spotlight: Jon H.

I started working for my current company at the beginning of February 2011. I’ve had MS for over 7 years but only started having trouble with it the past few. It primarily effects my gait through the symptoms of fatigue and spasticity. Together, they severely limit my walking distance when I regularly used to run at least 2 ½ miles on hills. I also used to be a touring drummer and am now completely impaired from that pursuit. 

I have to park pretty far from my office, and hobble as I may, have pushed through to reach my truck/office even when it seemed like my destination was an impossibility. Now almost a month later, my strength has increased as has my endurance, and I’ve found myself keeping pace with those who are not in a hurry. I definitely have my bad days, but that’s the way it goes with this condition. Being able to track my activity with Virgin HealthMiles will make sure my steps stay above a certain level, as sitting increases my stiffness and spasticity. 

That’s the long and the short of it. I’ve always been an active person/musician, and now I have assistance in making them my way of life again.

 

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