Fincantieri Marinette Marine Employee, John Gabris, quit smoking and lost 73 pounds, thanks to Bellin Health's Total Health program.
As the premiere local business and community health partner of Northeastern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Bellin Health helps businesses improve the health of their employees while making the cost of care more affordable.
John Gabris is employed at Fincantieri Marinette Marine. His journey to improved health is a direct result of his employer's Total Health partnership with Bellin Health.
Company: Fincantieri Marinette Marine
Employee: John Gabris
Achievements: Quit smoking. Lost 73 pounds. Eating healthy. Exercising.
Life impact: No regrets! Enjoying active vacations with family. Looking forward to a longer life.
John’s story, in his own words.
I love my life and I wanted to live it longer. I love my family and I want to enjoy being with them, healthy. After I quit smoking, I gained a lot of weight. I tried losing it, but just could not keep it off. I needed help!
The folding camping chair I bought had a weight limit of 250 pounds, and I was getting close again. The zip-lining place near where we vacation had a weight limit I was going to exceed. I visited my brother, a man dying of cancer, and he told me I needed to take better care of myself. An old friend I had not seen in years remarked he thought he was seeing my father. May he rest in peace, he was not a healthy man.
I prayed for guidance, and my Bellin Health Employee Wellness Coach has been a godsend. She has helped me to lose over 70 pounds. Her advice and encouragement have helped me to eat better and stick to an exercise schedule.
My 44-inch waist pants were once tight; now my 34-inch pants are loose! As I lost pounds, I became even more active and, in turn, was able to enjoy life and lose even more weight!
I keep a daily journal. I track what I eat and how much exercise I get.
Every few weeks, I speak with my health coach, my heaven-sent helper and friend, Nurse Marla. Thank you, Nurse Marla. I also wish to thank the company I work for, Fincantieri Marinette Marine, for making these health care benefits available to me; as well as my family for supporting these life changes. I also want to thank all my friends that supported me and gave me encouragement. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My advice for each of you is to make your health a high priority. Try not to focus on where you have fallen, but glance back where you tripped. Always look forward to a better path.
