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I'm copying an article that was in the McKesson News; News and information for McKesson employees about our daughter and son-in-law. We're SO proud of them!


How They Lost 243 Pounds
Husband-wife team use Weight Watchers and Vitality to lose weight and lower blood pressure.

Kate Fuller said “I do” to her husband, Wayne, 34 years ago. Then in 2010, she completed the sentence: “I do…want to lose weight with you.”

Kate works in Managed Services for McKesson Provider Technologies at Trover Health Systems in Madisonville, Ky. She has battled her weight since childhood.

“My maiden name is Zelle, which, of course, rhymes with ‘jelly’ and ‘belly,’” she sighs. “Kids on the playground can be so cruel.”

By age 50, Kate was the heaviest she had been in her life, on blood pressure medication and facing other potential health risks. Her husband was also overweight with high blood pressure. And both frequently suffered from back, hip and knee pain.

Vitality to the Rescue
Kate had a friend who participated in Weight Watchers and was safely, steadily shedding pounds right before her eyes.

When Kate discovered that the Vitality rewards program offered reimbursement for Weight Watchers as an employee benefit, she wanted to give it a try but didn’t want to do it alone. “So I asked my husband if he would join, too,” Kate says. Wayne said “yes” and on June 10, 2010, the couple began their Weight Watchers journey.

Together they cleaned out their “trigger foods,” which included chips, cookies and ice cream, replacing them with fresh fruits and vegetables. They also started working out, walking and biking.

In two years, Kate lost 118 pounds and Wayne lost 125, both reaching their weight loss goals and significantly lowering their blood pressure levels.

“Those old aches and pains are nearly gone,” says Kate, “and we both have so much more energy.”

Vitality Bonuses
While losing weight, Kate also steadily accumulated Vitality points. She and Wayne are now at the Gold level.

“We’ve done biometric screening. I enter information for our scheduled workouts, our preventive care, walks, bike rides — anything I can do to earn points,” she says.

So far, Kate’s points have earned DVDs of “Downton Abbey” for her and a FitBug pedometer for Wayne. (Now, all spouses covered under a McKesson medical plan can receive a free FitBug pedometer.)

“I am so grateful to McKesson for offering this reimbursement benefit,” says Kate. “And now it’s even better.”

Note, McKesson now pays for the program up front with no out of pocket cost to U.S. employees in most cases. Spouses covered under a McKesson medical plan are now also eligible for the program.

High Praise for Weight Watchers
“The fact that Weight Watchers is not a ‘diet’ but a lifestyle adaptation is why it works so well for us,” Kate explains.

“We never feel ‘deprived.’ Any time we want to go out for pizza and a beer, we’re able to work it into our food plan, as long as you adjust the rest of your intake and activity to accommodate the extra calories.”

A New Outlook
“Wayne told me that I carry myself differently now,” says Kate. “He says I walk briskly, eyes up, with tall posture and, most importantly, I have a smile on my face.”

She says it is “empowering” to know that she could achieve her weight loss goal without surgery, special food or stringent liquid diets. And it’s been extra special to share the experience with her husband.

“Wayne and I don’t police each other. We’re just here for one another to lean on.” Then she smiles, “Doing this together hasn’t done our marriage any harm either.”