Parents team up for better health and surprise daughter


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AMERICAN FORK — As parents we want to be healthy for our kids. Not only to set an example but to play an active part in their life and their children's lives. When it was time for Cheryl and Harold Rasmussen to see their daughter McKenzie off to serve an LDS mission, the timing couldn't be more perfect.

This past September the Rasmussen's signed up for Intermountain Healthcare's 100-Day Heart Challenge, where they were able to attend nutrition classes and meet with a personal trainer. While learning how to manage their diet and proper exercise techniques, they started to realize some of their own unhealthy habits.

"You don't realize how much you're just picking things up and just eating mindlessly," Cheryl said.

Before the program Harold would joke that chip bags had their serving sizes all wrong.

He said, "It's not 12 servings on that 12-oz. bag of chips, it's a serving for one!"

Now, they count their calories, cut the sodas and enjoy walks together, and the results couldn't be more obvious.

"I'm feeling a lot better, clothes are getting looser, it's fun," Cheryl said.

Nearly three months later Cheryl is down 31 pounds, and Harold has lost 58 pounds. Even better, Cheryl is no longer considered pre-diabetic and Harold is completely off high blood pressure medications. All this accomplished by Dec. 10, just in time to welcome their daughter home for a reunion well worth the wait.

"We're just grateful we got to be a part of it and have that little extra motivation and support to get in better shape for our kids," Cheryl says.

Watch the video to see the emotional reunion at the airport. Jenniffer is a Special Projects Producer who heads up the Your Life Your Health, Zero Fatalities and High 5 initiatives. For questions, feedback or possible story ideas, please email jmichaelson@ksl.com.

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Jenniffer Michaelson

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