Success Stories

How did you hear about the LiveWell Fit program?

While working at Haggen, I heard about LiveWell Fit. I recently remembered the program from one of my old coworkers and wanted to see if it was still offered. Soon after, I got something in the mail from the Trust mentioning the LiveWell Fit program. When I looked more closely, I saw that the Trust had sent me a list of races that I really wanted to try.

What motivated you to participate?

I really wanted that reimbursement to go towards a new pair of shoes, or a fitness tracker. But also, I wanted to see how I could do competitively against other racers. So why not give it a shot? Since I would get reimbursed for my entries, I didn’t have any reason not to go ahead with it.

What helped keep you motivated?

I always had another competition to look forward to, since the program reimburses for up to four events. I also participated in the Health Coaching program, and my health coach was a valuable motivator for me. We set goals together to help me improve my speed, workout, and nutrition. I just wanted to see how well I could do going forward.

What are your keys to success?

I focused on forming healthy habits. I tried to get out and run every day, even if I didn’t feel like it, because I knew it would make me feel better physically and mentally. I also tried to form healthy nutrition habits so that my exercises would help me even more!

Any advice for others considering LiveWell Fit?

Try it! Every journey begins with a single step. I was eating poorly, and I didn’t have the motivation to change myself. If you can start just by getting off the coach and walking to the mailbox and back, you’re headed in the right direction.

What are you doing differently today?

Now, I’ve gotten to the point where I can add strength training to my exercise routine. While I primarily run and walk, using a Bowflex machine three times a week has really helped me realize my goals more efficiently.

To learn more about the Trust’s Sound Support programs, visit www. soundhealthwellness.com/soundsupport

Last year, Earl Greenlaw experienced the unthinkable when he suffered a heart attack. Recovery has been long and slow and has required regular visits to his cardiologist. With little experience in managing recovery from a major illness, Earl found it difficult to get the answers he needed from his appointments.

“I was having issues during my visits to the cardiologist. Sometimes, there’s just too much going on, and you really have to push for answers. The whole experience can be so overwhelming, and you can even forget what you were going to ask in the first place.”

These difficulties pushed Earl to turn to the Guardian Nurses program. Earl has been a Trust participant for many years and regularly received the newsletter, which is where he learned about the program. After he completed the annual health assessment from the Trust and filled out an additional questionnaire, Earl was connected with a Mobile Care Coordinator (MCC) from Guardian Nurses who could help him get the most out of every appointment.

The Mobile Care Coordinator Program from Guardian Nurses is fully paid for by the Trust for PPO Plan participants and their covered dependents. Mobile Care Coordinators are Registered Nurses who provide personal care management and support to help Trust participants safely and effectively navigate the healthcare system. MCC nurses can also provide support for behavioral health issues such as depression, anxiety, or addiction.

“My Guardian Nurse was able to ask questions that I didn’t even think to ask. I became really comfortable with him by my side to help me with anything that I had questions about. I can even call him whenever I have questions I need answered about my medication.”

Now, with the help of his Guardian Nurse, Earl is living life a lot more confidently. Seeking help can be intimidating, but for Earl, taking that step made a huge difference for his health and peace of mind. When asked what advice he has for Trust participants who could benefit from a Mobile Care Coordinator nurse, Earl had this to say:

“It’s a free, accessible service that’s there for you, so don’t be afraid to use it. Guardian Nurses go to your appointments, they ask questions, and they get the answers you need. On top of that, they are always there for you when you need them. Sound Health & Wellness Trust participants should be on the lookout for all the programs that are there for them and their health. Sometimes, you just have to be proactive and take initiative with your health by joining a new program, which can be a scary experience.”

Guardian Nurses services are voluntary, confidential, and are fully paid for by the Trust for PPO Plan participants and their covered dependents. To learn more about the Guardian Nurses Mobile Care Coordinator program, visit www.soundhealthwellness.com/ppo/guardian-nurses.

It’s common as we age to feel burdened by our health, and to want someone who makes us feel heard and respected. For Wayne, being introduced to the Guardian Nurses Program through his wife’s insurance was the first step in improving the day-to-day management of his health.

“Having a guardian nurse gives me someone to talk to. I’ve been retired the last four years and don’t get out much,” he says, “these nurses are sensible and smart and can provide tremendous emotional support.”

When you participate in the Guardian Nurses program, you are paired with a Mobile Care Coordinator (MCC) certified nurse who provides support specifically designed to meet your needs. Wayne needed a doctor who would work with him closely to manage his symptoms while remaining compassionate and optimistic.

“Sometimes a doctor just isn’t the right fit. I’ve learned to speak up about what I need to find the right person,” he reflects, “my nurse helped me change doctors. I heard about a gentleman in my area. She set up an appointment with him, and he’s been wonderful.”

MCC Nurses are here to help you navigate the healthcare system, which can be complex and confusing. It is possible to manage a chronic condition for years, and still struggle to get the supplies needed on time. This was a frequent problem for Wayne: “One time, I had to go a month without my supplies because they never filled my order. My nurse helped set me up with a new company that fills my orders in a timely manner.”

Easy access to doctors and the supplies to manage your condition can relieve a huge amount of stress – and that is something everyone deserves.

“I would definitely recommend the Guardian Nurses program to friends and family,” enthuses Wayne, “not too many people I know have issues like me, but they deal with other health problems and need the same support.”

For you, support may look like having a nurse check in with you at home, assistance getting to and from appointments, or help understanding your diagnosis and treatment options. The Trust MCC nurses are here to help.

All Guardian Nurses services are voluntary, confidential, and are fully paid for by the Trust for PPO Plan participants and their covered dependents. Visit the Guardian Nurses page to learn more.

For Trust participant Jasmine Carey, giving new things a try is already a lifestyle choice. With her six-year-old daughter and spouse, she previously spent three years living in Europe and exploring more than 10 nations during her time abroad.

“We love to eat and try new foods and experience different cultures around the world,” said Jasmine. “I love meeting new people and am passionate about learning and growing.”

It’s this same desire to learn and grow that inspired her to sign up for Naturally Slim.

“I loved how simple it was to use on my phone. I was a little worried because I work full time and I am a busy mother and wife but found the short videos to be very refreshing and easy to watch on my break or lunch. I loved that I could pause the videos and resume them at a later time,” she added.

She also liked the blue bracelet that came with the welcome package – it served as a great reminder to her to slow down and taste every bit of food.

In this way, Jasmine found that the program has served as more of a teaching tool than a weight loss program, and that she was learning discipline, which is what she needed. “I think Naturally Slim is different because there are not false promises,” she remarked. “Many programs require you to almost starve yourself and you’re always hungry. This is teaching you the needed skills to make those healthy decisions on your own. I liked that I was not always hungry on this program.”

Through participating in Naturally Slim and adding in some physical activity, she lost about 15 pounds. But the biggest difference has come with her snacking habits.

The biggest change for me was that I stopped snacking at work and eating just because it was there, said Jasmine.

Naturally Slim is offered to Trust participants during specific enrollment periods throughout the year. This common-sense digital counseling program teaches participants simple skills to change when and how they eat, instead of what they eat.

“I’ve always had trouble having a healthy relationship with food,” said Lori O’Dell, a Trust participant who works as a checker at Sehome Village Haggen in Bellingham. “It’s been an ongoing thing in my life. I think this is true for a lot of us.” 

She started the Naturally Slim program (now Wondr Health^TM) with some uncertainty. Since she’d tried so many other things in the past, she didn’t have high expectations. But the program brought new, intuitive ideas about eating and movement into play.

“The principles are different from what I’ve tried before,” said Lori. “And the simplicity of this program is very refreshing. It’s very focused on paying attention to your body. It’s really simple principles, such as: ‘Don’t eat if you’re not hungry. It seems intuitive, but I think we all can use these kinds of reminders.”

She also appreciated how the program offers ways to deal with hunger between meal times and reminds participants to take time when eating.

“It’s helped me to be mindful of my own body and give myself hints to accomplish my goals,” she said. “Unlike with other programs, you don’t have to plan or count points.”

Naturally Slim also reviews things like food marketing and labeling and teaches participants how to choose healthier options. Participation also includes online forums and support, where you can learn what has worked for others. 

“I really like to work out so, they gave me a lot of great tips on exercise and how to view it in a good frame,” said Lori.

She also liked how specific some of the recommendations were.

“I’m a real ‘social eater,’ and eating out can be challenging. The program anticipated this; how did you know I had that problem? They take you through some simulations and offer different ways to deal with the situation or ways to go with it.”

These key learnings were successes for Lori on their own, but she also lost 20 pounds in the first four to five weeks, and she has continued putting the things she learned into practice. 

“I remind myself that I’m not hungry, or to slow down and chew slowly,” she said. “Sometimes I will even think, ‘Put your fork down!’ Follow-through is my biggest challenge. Maintaining this mindfulness is the work!”

Overall, Lori thinks the program is well worth it to anyone who wants to have a better relationship with food. “This is a great benefit,” she said.