See how HealthMiles member Kelley S. got active and healthy – and shed 35 pounds!

“Virgin HealthMiles made the difference in my life.  I have struggled with my weight for about 20 years; always on the roller coaster ride. I was famous for crash diets, then gaining it all back within a few months’ time. I allowed stress to rule my eating habits and consume my entire life. For so long I desired to get back on that roller coaster and not get off, but it never registered mentally with me until I started the Virgin HealthMiles program.  I realized at that time I did not want to live like this anymore and what better way to start the journey to a healthier me.

Since joining, it has motivated me to increase my activity level to the point of feeling guilty if I don’t have some form of exercise in my daily routine.  I began recording everything I put in my mouth and focused on my caloric intake. 

I am happy to announce that, since joining this program, I have lost 24.2 pounds and I’m loving life. I have about 26 more pounds to lose to reach my 1st really big goal. Everything about me has changed; my mental state of mind, my body, my endurance, and my husband would be happy to say my snoring at night. I had reached the level that my snoring was so bad that I would stop breathing several times during the night. Guess what?  Now, no more snoring!

I could just go on and on about this program… one word sums it up – AWESOME!”

Two months after sending her story, Kelley sent another update that she’s since lost another 10 pounds and is now up to a total of 35 pounds.  Way to go Kelley!

From time to time here on The Uprising, we like to share some of the stories we get from people around the country who’ve improved their health with their workplace wellness programs. Today, see how HealthMiles member Esther M. avoided gastric bypass surgery and instead used diet and exercise to get her weight and diabetes under control, and lessen her reliance on costly medications.

“In June of 2010, my older sister had another stroke. She’s had so many I’ve lost count. The strokes are a complication of her type 2 diabetes. Strokes run in my family, as does diabetes. My father died of a stroke. My mother has had 2-3 strokes. Then there’s my sister. I’ve had type 2 diabetes since 1998 and I had been keeping my blood sugar under good control until my husband died suddenly in 2002.

That’s when I began my “I don’t care” phase. Blood sugars began to go up and so did the medications. I knew I was on the road to having a stroke. Last June, I was taking four oral medications and insulin to keep my blood sugars moderately controlled. I also was taking medication for hypertension and high lipid levels. I began to seriously look at what I was doing. I saw my doctor and discussed gastric bypass surgery with him. That was very scary. I researched the surgery and I panicked. I became very depressed. I could not believe that I was willing to mutilate my body so that I could lose weight. I began to look for other options.

The main option was to decrease calories, increase exercise and stick to a plan. I sought the help of a therapist because I knew that the weight wasn’t the problem. In July, 2010 I began a reduced calorie meal plan. That was also the month that my company had launched its workplace wellness program.

I received a pedometer and had all my measurements taken. I began with a goal of 5,000 steps per day. By the end of September, I’d lost 35 pounds and had increased my step goal to 7,000 steps per day. My doctor decreased the medications I was taking. My ultimate goal was to lose 50 pounds by Christmas. I met that goal! I was so excited!

HealthMiles member Phil W. shares how getting active and healthy led to a recent adventure in Costa Rica.

“I work from an office in my home which sometimes means that, without even noticing, I can spend an entire day just sitting at my desk in my chair. If I do get up, the temptations of the kitchen and refrigerator are just down the stairs. So it’s been difficult for me to make sure I get enough exercise and manage my weight.

When I got my Virgin HealthMiles pedometer, I suddenly found a way to keep track of my activity in a very conscious, quantifiable way. This past winter at times made it difficult for me to take the long walks I enjoy, but many an evening I looked at my step count and resolved to bundle up and add a few thousand more steps. The results?  I’ve lost around 10 pounds and have moved one belt hole closer to my first goal—reaching the weight I was when I got married almost 28 years ago.

Recently, I went on a vacation in Costa Rica. One of the things I did was zip-line through the cloud forest in Monteverde. At the end of the exhilarating 15 zip-lines, there was the option to swing on a Tarzan swing. Before we got to the swing, a staff member asked me how much I weighed. I said, “195.” He responded, “Good, because 200 is the limit for the swing.” So because I had lost weight, I was able to enjoy flinging myself off a tower and swinging at the end of a 26 foot rope. Not something I want to do every day, but I was glad I had the opportunity.”

After a health scare, Virgin HealthMiles member Karen C. set her sights on losing 100 pounds. She’s well on her way with the help of the Virgin HealthMiles program.

Karen C. - Before

“My doctor said I needed to lose weight and I knew he was right. In January, 2010, I started my mission to lose 100 pounds. I started out slowly and challenged myself each day to do more. I got involved with Virgin HealthMiles, wore my pedometer and began walking, along with strength training and dieting. In April, 2010 I went to Florida on vacation and put in around 20,000 steps a day. And I loved it. I have now lost 70 pounds, and still want to lose the other 30 pounds.

Karen C. - After

I feel better emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. It is still a day by day journey, filled with victories, and yes, some disappointments. But I know I am doing the right thing. I celebrated by 51^st birthday this year and know this will help me to be a better person for my husband, myself, my children my grandchildren and for my employer.  It is hard to lose that last few pounds but I am not going to give up! It will happen a little at a time and I plan to have a lot of fun doing it.”

With so many folks getting back into daily routines this week now that kids are back to school and summer vacations are wrapping up, we thought today would be a perfect time to share some photos and stories from HealthMiles members. Check out how they’re fitting activity into their busy lives – both during and outside their workdays, and with family, friends, and co-workers.

Amy B. took the last challenge in stride. “How many steps to the pier on Fernandino Beach at Amelia Island, FL?  Well, it’s about 1.4 miles so that’s a LOT of steps!  On the first day of the challenge, I logged over 7,000 steps in an early morning beach walk with my family. When we made it to the pier, we took the attached photo so I could send to Virgin HealthMiles.  Then we started the return walk back!  Being on the beach definitely made a difference in how many steps I took each day – who wouldn’t want to be out there walking and picking up shells instead of inside an office all day!”

Adrian K. along with Alex M., Mike M., Jon T. and Jon N. try and get their steps in whenever they can. “A group of us walk at lunch. Jon invites everyone in the group, about 15 people, every day. Most don’t join us, but this group of diehards walk when it’s raining, when it’s 110 degrees and when we have to miss eating lunch to do it.”

Terry P. brought his pedometer along for a hike on a trail in Alaska’s Denali National Park this July. “My 3 sons are also in the picture, the whitecap mountain in the left background is Mt. McKinley. The steps were not only more numerous than normal that day they were also much more strenuous than normal!”

Janet V. and Alma S. used their lunch break to get in some steps and inspiration. “Yesterday Alma and I decided to walk to the canal in downtown Indianapolis from our office building instead of staying in for lunch or driving to a restaurant. We saw beautiful fountains, ducks, people in paddle boats, joggers, walkers, tourists and picnickers. We also passed many of Indy’s sites like the Eiteljorg Museum and the USS Indianapolis Memorial. This was a great way to spend an hour and we got about 5,300 steps in the process! Thanks for helping us find the motivation with the regular challenges. We have now moved on to challenging each other.”

Tammy M. took her pedometer when she and her family took a trip to help clean up in Joplin, MO after the tornado in May. “I was able to get lots of steps in because we were not allowed to take our vehicles into the damaged areas where we were working to reduce congestion.”

Need a little more inspiration?  Check out some more member stories and stay tuned for more to come.

HealthMiles members across the country are making long-term, healthy behavior changes and inspiring others to live healthy lives. Nick E. shares his story:

Nick E. - Before

“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 medications 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 1,500 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 steps with my HealthMiles pedometer and see the positive Virgin HealthMiles site feedback, I became even more dedicated to pursue better health and more weight loss 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 obtaining my goals. After my surgery, I accelerated my walking and reduced my calories. By February 2011 after 18 months on the program, I had lost a total of 159lb.s and I continue to strive for another 22lbs. loss to get down to a normal BMI before my 61st birthday.

Nick E. - After

During this journey, I have been able to resolve all my starting health issues referenced above and come off all my pre-program 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.”

Stay tuned to learn more about the many healthy lifestyle changes HealthMiles members are making.

We love getting stories from HealthMiles members across the country.  It’s great to hear all about the many ways they get their steps in, how they’re forming activity groups with friends at work, and how they’re fitting activity into their busy lives outside their workdays.  Plus, we love seeing snapshots of all the great places they visit and the different activities they’re doing.  Here are a few stories our members have shared:

Art G. ran a 3.5 mile race. “After participating in various Virgin HealthMiles Challenges the last two years, I have been encouraged to do several 5K runs – something I never thought I would do. My blood pressure even went down to normal. At Muncy Valley Hospital Lawn Party Race in PA I finished in 41:12.  No, not really that fast, but at age 74 my time is getting better for each race.”

Daniel T. and his co-workers step it up on their break. “Each week, a group of us from work walks to the nearest Subway on our lunch period to get some extra steps in.  It’s not much, but it’s extra!  We get about 3,500 steps on the walk there and back.  Both the 1st shift and 2nd shift walk each week. Our company even pays for the meal once per month, which is awesome!  This is not only a great way to get in the extra steps, but also to do a little bonding with our co-workers outside of work.  We have great conversation on the way.”

Delia G. starts early in the morning at about 6:30 a.m. “I walked from home to downtown San Antonio, Texas and reached my destination at San Fernando Cathedral Church. My pedometer read 27,000 steps when I returned back home. I really enjoy walking first thing in the morning!”

Zach R. and his colleagues Melissa P., Jill M., and Bill E. get active together! They all ran a 1/2 marathon sponsored by the local High School as a fundraiser for their athletic department.

David H. took his son to Buttermilk Falls the highest waterfall in NJ. “I was there once as a child so I wanted him to see it too. Getting there was half the fun since it is in a very remote part of the state. Climbing to the top of the falls was a nice workout and the view is amazing.” 

Becky W. brought her pedometer to Kauai when she traveled there for her daughter’s July wedding. “I made sure to get up early and hike on the beach trails in front of the Grand Hyatt every morning.  Talk about an inspiring location to walk—racking up the steps was easy!”

Check back soon for more snapshots and stories from HealthMiles members.

Tracking Her Steps, Seeing Results. 

We love hearing how HealthMiles is changing the lives of our members.  For Ramona W., her GoZone® pedometer and the program’s simple activity guidelines and monitoring tools are particularly motivating and effective.  She tracks about 8,000 steps each day, and can now keep up with her grandson, take part in activities that she never thought possible, and is steadily losing weight.  She shared her tips for reaching her daily step goal, ones that just about everyone can do:

• “I take one walk to the other end of my office building and back each day,
• I take the long way around to go to the restroom or the printer at work,
• I park a little farther away from the building than I have to,
• When I’m at the grocery store, even though I shop mostly the perimeter of the store, I walk every single aisle
• When I’m waiting in line to check out at the grocery store, I walk in place
• I walk in place while watching television in the evening to get the remaining steps I need to hit my 8,000 steps that day.” 

At 52, Ramona is an inspiration to her colleagues. What’s more, she enjoys a “nerdy satisfaction” out of seeing her activity data and results get better over time.

Share Ramona’s tip with your employees to help them get more activity into their day.

As part of our celebration of June’s third annual National Employee Wellness Month, Virgin HealthMiles presented our first annual “Healthies” awards. The Healthies recognize individuals who have demonstrated overall excellence in improving their health, and celebrate the spirit of healthy behavior change taking place across the nation.

Based on personal story submissions, we awarded ten individuals with Healthies. Today, we’ve highlighted three of this year’s recipients. 

Monique D. uses the HealthMiles program for motivation to lose weight and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

“It all started with one little pedometer… Before joining Virgin HealthMiles in 2008, I weighed 250 pounds. I hated being obese, I was ashamed at how much space I took up in the world. I joined the program for some motivation to start exercising, and after about a month, I made a commitment to adopt a healthy lifestyle. I changed my eating habits and started walking as much as I could. At the beginning, that was less than ¼ mile. But soon that increased to a couple miles at a time, which encouraged me to try different kinds of exercise. Now, I do martial arts, I lift weights…I do some form of exercise 7 days a week. And I’ve lost over 100 pounds!”  Read more about Monique’s story.

Nick M. doesn’t let his Type 1 diabetes slow him down, and uses the HealthMiles program to help stay in balance.

“I was diagnosed with Type-1 (Juvenile) Diabetes 22 years ago, at age three. 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. The HealthMiles program helps me track my steps and keep up with how far I run. The pedometer 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.” Read more about Nick’s story.

Abby S. avoided medication and continues to stay active with the HealthMiles program.

“At 32 with 3 kids, I was out of shape and unhealthy, even though my outward appearance said otherwise. I was always tired and just never felt good. My doctor suggested some medications, and even a small medical procedure, but I wanted to think about it. I’m glad I did. I visited the Virgin HealthMiles website and a light bulb went off in my head: I was going to regain control of my life. I joined, and began to walk, which felt great. Then I began to jog, run, swim, dance, lift weights… and guess what?! No need for meds or a medical procedure. It’s two years later and I feel better than I have in a very long time. Thank you Virgin HealthMiles!”  Read more about Abby’s story.

We’ll continue to share individual stories with you here on The Uprising.  Meantime, check out the rest of this year’s Healthies recipients and their stories.

In celebration of June’s National Employee Wellness Month, we’ve been sharing some of the stories we’ve received from individuals about how their employer’s workplace wellness initiatives have helped them improve their health. Here’s a story from Jon H., a HealthMiles member since earlier this year.

Jon uses the Virgin HealthMiles program to help keep up his activity levels so he can better manage his MS.

“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.”