Health/Fitness Achievements
An inspirational IHP Program success story
By Kathy Bertram

I’ve learned that even a small change can lead to huge benefits. Before participatin in WIN's IHP Program, I never cooked. My husband and I share family responsibilities, and cooking was his job. He likes meat and potatoes, so that's what we ate. After speaking with my WIN Wellness Consultant, Diann Darnall, I found myself wanting to learn how to cook with vegetables. She shared quick and easy methods for cooking, while keeping nutrition in mind. With her encouragement, I started cooking. From there, I explored new recipes. I began ordering organic food boxes from Full Circle Farms each week. This summer, I planted and harvested my first garden. What a joy that was!

Today, I love to cook, and my whole family can hardly wait to see what fruits and vegetables I put on their plates. My outlook on food has completely changed. Before I did not think about what I ate. Now, I consciously make healthy choices. I still eat meat, but fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are the mainstay of my diet. My comfort food has shifted from chocolate to zucchini. This is a surprise even to me. The greatest benefit of changing my diet is the impact its had on my family. My 5-year-old now requests second helpings of broccoli and salad. On my birthday my family presented me with a salad spinner, vegetable paring knifes, and a cheese grater. I was thrilled! These were the first kitchen presents I had ever received. Until last spring, I never even cooked.

Did I mention the other benefits of eating more veggies? I have lost 10 pounds (without dieting), lowered my total cholesterol, and have more energy. I am noticing changes in others at the office as well. Several of us now look forward to food boxes.

This summer our family attended a Potluck with about 50 people. Every single person brought a vegetable dish. There was not a single potato chip. WIN's IHP Program has made a huge difference in my life and I’m grateful to the University for having made it available to the faculty and staff. I’ve recommended WIN's IHP Program to all my co-workers, and I’ve already signed up again this year. Thanks, Diann!

Kathy Bertram
Geophysical Institute Education Director,
UAF Science Education Outreach Network Director

Thank you Kathy. You are truly an inspiration!
- WIN for Alaska, Inc. | Your UA Health In Action Team