Input Improves Output
For Gary Collins, Virta made the equation simple
“Feeling good comes down to choices,” says Gary Collins, Quality Manager at GE Appliances Camden. “And I want to feel good.”
But Gary didn’t.
“I’d let myself get to a place where I just didn’t feel comfortable in my skin anymore,” says Gary. “Simple activity made me tired.”
When his co-workers talked about a program they were using to get healthy, Gary’s interest was piqued. It was Virta.
GE Appliances offers Virta to employees on the health plan – free of charge, a benefit that helps pre-diabetics and diabetics improve their blood sugar and lose weight. It provides a health coach, a tracking app, a scale that syncs with the app, a kit for blood testing and keto analysis, recipes, and a bouillon for making soup, among other things. “They really set us up for success,” says Gary.
After three months with Virta, Gary dropped 15 lbs.
“For me, awareness was everything,” says Gary. “Progress tells you its own story about what’s working and what’s not. Pay attention to what goes in and how you feel after you eat it.”
These days, Gary is feeling good.
“What you put in is what you’re going to get out,” says Gary. “The equation is simpler than you’d think. If I can do it, anyone can.”
Do you want to feel good? November is Diabetes Awareness month and the perfect time to check out Virta!
Know the warnings of diabetes
See your doctor if you have any of the following warning signs of diabetes:
- extreme thirst
- frequent urination, especially at night
- unintentional weight loss
- increased hunger
- blurred vision
- numbness or tingling in your hands and feet
- fatigue
- skin that’s very itchy or dry
- wounds that don’t heal quickly
Manage your diabetes and stay healthy longer.
If you have diabetes, it’s important to take care of yourself. GE Appliances offers benefits to help at no and low cost to their employees on the health plan.
Manage your A1C blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Ask your doctor what your goals should be and stay informed about your A1C level.
- CareATC – See a provider onsite at Appliance Park or Roper
- Virta Health – Type 1 Management and Type 2 Reversal
Take care of your mental health.
A mental health counselor may help you find healthy ways to cope with stress.
- EAP – See a confidential, licensed counselor
Make lifestyle changes to slowly build healthy habits.
Take small steps to eat healthier, be more physically active, and get enough sleep.
- Y @ Work – For only $2.50 per week you can improved your fitness, a great way to prevent or manage diabetes. Offered at Appliance Park.
- Exercise Reimbursement Program offered to GE Appliances employees
Take your medicines on time, even if you feel healthy.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for help if you have trouble managing your medicines.
- CareATC – See a provider onsite at Appliance Park or Roper
- Virta Health – Type 1 Management and Type 2 Reversal
Work closely with your primary care provider.
They can help you manage your diabetes and refer you to other health care professionals for related health problems.
- CareATC – See a provider onsite at Appliance Park or Roper
- Virta Health – Type 1 Management and Type 2 Reversal
Diabetes By the Numbers
From 2001 to 2020, diabetes prevalence significantly increased among US adults 18 or older.
- 37.3 million people have diabetes—that’s 11.3% of the US population.
- 28.7 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes.
- 8.5 million people who have diabetes have not been diagnosed and do not know they have it.