Jerry’s Story

I am a 60-year-old college professor and truly enjoy teaching and interacting with my students.  I have a wonderful wife, and we were blessed with three amazing children.  Life is good!  I began jogging as my main form of exercise over 16 years ago.  Early on I completed several 5k’s, a mini-triathlon, and even a half marathon, but age and nagging injuries reduced my training to roughly 2-mile sessions three or four times a week.  In the summer of 2023, I felt at a low point physically and didn’t feel sharp.  Even though I was taking Metformin, my A1c was an unacceptable 8.4%, and I was having difficulty controlling my blood sugar, so I consulted with my PCP, and began taking Mounjaro and began using a continuous glucose monitor.  At the same time, the HR department at my institution reminded all employees that a variety of health options were available through ConnectCare3, including a dietician and health coach, so I proceeded to sign up.

During my first conversation with my ConnectCare3 health coach, we discussed my goals and lifestyle, and she promised to formulate a workout plan for me.  She reviewed the benefits of resistance training and how she planned to incorporate it into a comprehensive program for me to follow.  My health coach developed a program which consisted of four workout days broken into upper and lower body days.  She asked me to complete the workouts in a cyclical pattern and explained why it‘s best to alternate between upper and lower body workouts to allow for proper recovery in between and to help minimize any muscle imbalances.

The workouts my health coach provided me were in Excel, with a hyperlink demonstrating how to do each exercise properly.  I printed these out and have them on a clipboard with me as I do my workouts, which helps me keep track of my progress.  My health coach helped me in choosing the initial weight and emphasized that good form is the top priority versus the number of reps or increasing the weight.  She also provided me with a running program designed to safely build up to the longer duration/distance workouts.  The upper and lower body workouts combined with running has been an effective combination for me.  As it turns out, the weight training was a vital component to include with my change in medication, since studies have shown that muscle loss is one potential side effect of taking Mounjaro and similar drugs.  When I was younger and just running, it seemed like I was sore all the time.  But I’ve noticed that now I’m not, which my health coach attributes to the weight training.

In addition to a health coach, I consulted with a registered dietitian to learn the best dietary choices for me in order to manage my blood sugar most effectively.  We discussed the carbohydrate content of meals as well as the importance of protein, fat, and fiber along with the carbohydrate portion.  She also provided some tips on how to manage the low blood sugar warnings I was receiving in the middle of the night while trying to sleep.

I maintained regular check-ins with my health coach and liked having that accountability.  I was averaging three workouts each week, and she offered suggestions and changes along the way so that I could get the most out of my workouts.  My blood sugar became more stable, and it was noticeable how much better I felt when I worked out.  When I had to travel for work, my health coach provided a workout routine I could do at the hotel based on the machines available to me there.  She was so invested in my journey to better health and genuinely wanted me to succeed.  I shared with her that I’d like to participate in a 5k as I was feeling the most fit I had felt in years.

It’s been one year since I started working with a ConnectCare3 health coach and striving to improve my eating habits.  My efforts have paid off as I’ve lost 20 pounds and was able to stop a blood pressure medication and Type 2 diabetes medication.  My blood pressure is great, my A1c is down to 6.4%, and my strength overall has improved greatly.  I continue to maintain my running and lifting routine, and I’ve decided to participate on a team competing in the Tussey Mountainback Race this fall. This is something I had been working towards but was unsure if I would be able to achieve.  Exercising has become routine for me, and I honestly miss my workouts if there are days I can’t fit it in.  I have increased my muscle mass, despite being on Mounjaro, and I attribute this to resistance training.  I truly value the finely executed exercise program my health coach developed specifically for me as it was the key to my success, plus I no longer have the same amount of joint soreness and stiffness that I experienced previously when exercising.

Calling ConnectCare3 was a win-win situation for me as the expertise of their health coach and dietitian has helped me establish some new habits that I can sustain as I age to maintain optimal health.  I’m one year older from when I contacted ConnectCare3, but I’m happy to report that I have more energy now, make exercise a priority, and believe they have set me on the right path to success!