Reclaiming Muscle and Improving Health: Peter’s Vitality Story

Eye-opening results

“My first goal was to lose weight, and in reality, just to become healthier,” Peter says. He knew of Eleve’s programs because his spouse, Ellie, is Eleve’s Director of Patient Experience, so he knew joining the Vitality Program would help him to get on track.

Elevé began by testing Peter’s blood for blood sugar and nutrients, as well as performing cutting-edge tests including the VO2 max, which measures the body’s oxygen uptake capacity during exertion. Peter also received the DEXA Scan, which analyzes body composition, including visceral fat, which impacts cardiovascular health.

His results were eye-opening. “The DEXA Scan results showed the presence of visceral fat, which was increasing stress on my organs and causing me to age faster,” Peter says. “Knowing that, I was ready to reverse that trend. Even someone that's in really good shape can have extra fat around their organs, Peter learned. “With proper diet, and other supplements like medication, we can reverse those things and keep a little healthier life.”

Individually tailored program

Peter met with Vitality medical director Dr. Joe Babiarz and wellness coordinator Katrina Krenz, who developed a plan of action that aligned with Peter’s goals. With a strong understanding of Peter’s results, they took a thorough look at his current diet, making adjustments such as adding protein to assist with building muscle. They developed a customized workout routine for Peter, including weight training and 40-minute sessions of cardio in ‘Zone 2,’ a low-intensity but sustained aerobic workout to help Peter improve his cardiovascular health and metabolism. 

“Those workouts helped me to burn the fat instead of carbs, helping me to lose that visceral fat,” Peter says. After starting the Vitality program, Peter saw some results in the mirror right away, and after about nine months to a year, his bloodwork showed significant changes.

“I went back in and got my blood test and my glucose test again, and then the DEXA scan, just to make sure that the fat around my organs was going down, which it was,” he says.

Pushing through challenges

Peter’s comprehensive plan included a customized list of exercises and dietary guidelines for him to follow.

“There was a list of things that I could do, and I was doing some of them, but not all of them,” Peter says. “One of them is alcohol reduction, and it was a struggle to give it up completely, but I’ve reduced my intake. Elevé offers you the best plan and helps you make adjustments to help you continue to reach your goals.” Peter also needed to work on lowering his blood pressure and cholesterol levels, so he was placed on medications to knock those numbers down and assist his health efforts in the long term.

“These aren’t changes that you're going to be able to physically see, but you can feel to when you're moving through the day and working,” Peter says. “Probably the most important to me was increasing a little bit of muscle mass and then decreasing that fat around my organs,” he says. “We were successful at accomplishing both goals.”

Advice for Others

“My advice would be that if you are serious and ready to be healthy overall, then Elevé is where to go,” Peter says. “It’s about your total health, not just weight loss.”