A dramatic change in 100 days for one Utah couple


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PLEASANT GROVE — If you talked to Jay Whatcott earlier this year, he would have told you, “I need to develop some healthier habits.” And, to look at him, you might have suspected why he wanted to make those changes.

Of course, that was before Jay and his wife, Wendy, started Intermountain Healthcare’s 100 Day Heart Challenge. The program provides 10 lucky participants and a partner of their choosing with full access to dietitians and personal trainers during the challenge.

Eating right and exercising regularly became part of a 100-day journey that would change the Whatcotts’ lives.

Jay openly admits that, “It was easy for me to come home and sit on the couch.” Then, he learned from his doctor that he was prediabetic. “That honestly scared me, but honestly I just didn’t know what to do.”

The solution for Jay came in the form of Intermountain Healthcare’s 100-Day Heart Challenge. Jay and Wendy met regularly with a personal trainer to create exercise programs unique to each of their needs. They also worked with a dietician to plan meals. And, together the couple lost a total of 70 pounds.

“We feel so much better,” Wendy said. Jay agrees saying, “It’s amazing, and it’s hard to even describe how good I feel.”

In fact, Jay is sharing what he’s learned. “Go out and walk. Go out and swim. Do whatever you want but just be active," he said.

The Whatcotts recommend starting small and setting realistic goals for any lifestyle changes. “One of mine was no soda. One of mine was to lose a certain amount of pounds, which I did,” Jay said.

Wendy added, “And if we stumble we know how to go back to it and start again.

No matter what Jay believes ,“It’s been a life changing event for us, it really has.”

So what is ahead for the lighter and fitter couple? Jay says they plan on completing the Provo Half Marathon next summer. “That gives us like a year. To train, we’re going to do some 10Ks and stuff, but we’re going to do the half right? Wendy?”

“Sure we will,” Wendy replied. 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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