Last November, health coaches Savanna Altizer and Jennifer Weyrauch started working with a member who had been referred to the Living Plus health and wellness program for diabetes management and weight loss.
Mary* reported that she was very inconsistent with taking her medications, checked her blood sugar just once a week, and did not exercise. Her A1C was 9.3 around the time she started the health and wellness program, and she considered herself a “bad patient.”
As part of the program, Mary set two goals: Having an A1C of less than 7 and losing 20-30 pounds.
With weekly coaching from Savanna and Jennifer over the phone, she joined a gym, started an exercise regimen, and worked on diet and lifestyle changes. Savanna worked with her on exercise at home and at the gym, while Jennifer concentrated on diet education.
“Both of us focus on very individual treatment with each member, meeting them where they are in their health journey,” Jennifer says.
Seeing results
At the end of January, Mary’s doctor switched one of her medications for better blood sugar control, and she continued with her diet, lifestyle, and exercise changes. This resulted in weight loss and increased strength and endurance.
By the end of March, her A1C was down to 6.7 and she had lost more than 28 pounds!
Mary has been very pleased with her results and her experience with the wellness program. “I could not have done this without your help,” she said.
Making a difference
How did Mary go from being a “bad patient” to meeting her goals? Jennifer says the one-on-one education that focused on personal attention, personal motivation, and accountability made the difference.
“It was a gratifying experience working with her,” Jennifer says. “She was not confident initially about taking charge of her health, did not know where to start, and lacked the desire to make her health a priority. Through consistent calls, she felt more confident, knowledgeable, and empowered to make better choices.”
*The member’s name was changed to protect her privacy.
Interested in health coaching?
Do you need help reaching your health and wellness goals? Email Living Plus to ask about health coaching.
