Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am 47 years old, a husband, father, and a 25 year firefighter. I enjoy hanging out with my wife, playing with our German Shepherd, working around the house, and doing activities with my kids.
What did your life look like before Stronger U?
I would regularly eat desserts and foods that were high in fat. I tried to be conscious about what I was eating, but I didn’t have any specific guidance. I tried Jenny Craig for a couple of months, but it didn’t teach me how to eat. I wanted to learn how to eat properly. I have worked out regularly for years and been pretty active, but I wasn’t sure how to fuel my body properly for different activities.
What does your life look like now?
I set time aside to workout several days a week. I have a gym in my basement, so I don’t have to travel to go workout. I food prep different foods/meats at least a couple of days a week. I carry the food I’m planning on eating at work with me whether I’m working a 24 or 48 hour shift. If I have to make adjustments, I have some go to foods I can whip up quickly. I am more conscious about my rest at night and activity I do during the day.
Where did you hear about Stronger U?
I had worked around Coach Gretchen previously at the fire department. I knew she was a nutrition coach. I reached out to her and she told me about Stronger U.
Why do you think Stronger U worked so well for you compared to other programs or diets?
Stronger U teaches you how to eat. It teaches that Carbs are not bad. It is a common sense approach that doesn’t require perfection. It’s about making better choices than I previously made. Having Coach Gretchen guide me, answer questions, and hold me accountable has been the biggest difference versus other programs.
What was something you regularly ate while on Stronger U that people wouldn’t expect you to eat on a diet?
I eat some form of dessert every night. Yasso bars taste fantastic! I also eat regular bread which some diets would not allow.
How much weight did you lose with Stronger U?
Around 35 pounds
How many inches did you lose off your waist?
5
Did you have any favorite non-scale victories to share?
No headaches in 6 months, I enjoy chasing my dog around the yard and not running out of breath, I enjoy still having energy after physical activity and workouts
Has Stronger U improved your overall quality of life?
It has helped me have energy to do activities I haven’t been able to do in a while. I sleep better at night, so my rest is better overall.
If someone is thinking about joining Stronger U, what advice would you give them before beginning their journey?
Trust in the process, develop a strong relationship with your coach, it’s not a quick process, ask questions to your coach and to the board, it takes a few weeks to develop some momentum, don’t stress over striving for perfection
Has Stronger U improved your overall health (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc)? If so, how?
My doctor has asked me to lose some weight for about the past ten years. He was pleased when I surpassed his goal weight for me. My blood pressure has went down as well.
Would you like to give a shoutout to your coach, SU staff member, or community member?
Coach Gretchen is the best! She holds me accountable, answers all my questions, provides feedback and solutions to stumbling blocks, and provides lots of positive reinforcement.
Any last thoughts?
I am still towards the beginning of my lifelong journey for better health. I have made a lot of progress, but I look forward to challenging myself in other ways and working on reinforcing the concepts I’ve learned from my coach and Stronger U.
