Better Sleep, Greater Mobility: Brenda’s Vitality Story

Brenda and her husband, Todd, were always diligent about their health, but they believed there was more they could do for their overall energy and longevity. “We are both very responsible about going to the doctor once a year, and going to the dentist twice a year,” Brenda says. “We do all those things, but we know our providers only look at a snapshot. Elevé is looking at what’s in the future.”

Brenda and Todd learned about Elevé’s Vitality Program through some acquaintances who spoke highly of it. “I liked that Elevé worked with the whole person—they looked at everything, not just your physical health, but all of the pillars of your health,” Brenda says. Those include nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management and supplementation.

Working toward strength and vitality

When Brenda and Todd joined the Vitality Program, the Elevé team started with a series of tests, including comprehensive bloodwork, a DEXA scan to analyze body composition, and a VO2 Max test, which measures the body's oxygen uptake capacity during exertion.

Elevé staff set up a one-year calendar that included follow-up tests and check-ins with Katrina Krenz, Wellness Coordinator and Vitality Program coach, who helped guide the couple on ways to achieve goals and stay on track.

Testing was important to uncover areas where more attention was needed, says Brenda, who is now 61. In one instance, Brenda's glucose markers were elevated, so Katrina suggested a continuous glucose monitor to keep track of the spikes. "We made adjustments and the numbers came back down," Brenda says.

Additionally, based on Brenda and Todd's bloodwork, Elevé added some supplements like Vitamin D, Omega 3, creatine and collagen to help enhance their health and keep them balanced. Because Brenda's father passed away from complications related to dementia, Elevé added a supplement for Brenda that works to enhance brain health.

Integrating multiple areas of health

Katrina also set up nutrition and exercise plans to ensure Brenda and Todd could both keep on track with foods that supported their overall goals and activities that kept their bodies strong.

"We knew we weren't eating perfectly healthy—we were just two busy people with careers," says Brenda, a retired elementary school principal. "With exercise, we were both already pretty active, but we just had to make sure we were on more of a schedule to prioritize cardio and strength training."

Brenda already had been walking at least 10,000 steps a day, and regularly biked and played golf with Todd. Since joining the Vitality Program, Brenda has noticed greater mobility. She had already added swimming to her routine about the same time she joined Elevé, an activity that is less impactful on joints than other types of exercise. That helped her to boost her regular walking and weightlifting routine.

"I can tell that I'm a little bit more active than others my age," Brenda says. "It seems like every friend is getting a knee done or hip done, and I'm not there yet."

Progress is steady but not rapid, Brenda says, and health improvement has come in how she feels.

"My weight doesn't change, but I have more muscle and less fat," Brenda says. "And that's why going with Katrina is important to me because I still need somebody to tell me that. Because otherwise I'll tell myself this isn't working—but it is."