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hearts-in-training | Success Stories
Art Sanders' hearts–in-training Story
"At the start of this program, I could only walk about a quarter of a mile. But I kept walking, and walking, and walking.
In the morning, I walk an old road that goes out in the wildnerness. At night, I walk an hour and a half.
People started making comments. Told me that I look real healthy. Told me, 'your walk is frisky'.
I go out now and do fishing trips on the river, and people are really amazed that I do all these things and I'm over 70 years old. It's incredible what's going on with my life. It made me feel younger again. I don't feel old at all.
At the Sun Run, I made it in one hour and 42 minutes. I was very happy, and proud that I was part of what everybody was there to do. I'm 72 now. Next time I do it... I'm going to run it this time."
Bert Snow's hearts-in-training Story
When hearts-in-training 2008 visited the Nuxalk First Nation in the northern community of Bella Coola, it was a friend who registered Bert for the program out of concern for his health.
As a drug and acohol counsellor for his band, Bert's job is about helping people make healthy changes in their lives. His heart health screening results with the hearts-in-training program motivated Bert to take the lessons of behaviour change more deeply into his own life.
"I was one of their high risk people," says Bert. The nurse at the hearts-in-training goal setting station helped him set a specific weight loss goal that included dietary changes and physicial activity. For Bert, the key to staying on track was having a clear goal, and working through the program with a buddy so each could motivate the other to stick with it. "The goal-setting and keeping to it was the most important thing."
"In Bella Coola it's raining all the time and you don't always want to go out in it. But there's a training equipment at the Elders' Centre. Every once in a while if I haven't shot up to that Centre, my buddy would text me and say 'where are ya?' And I wouldn't have an excuse. When he wasn't there, I'd do the same thing. We'd also tell each other about our challenges and goals. It's always very important to have a buddy when you're doing this kind of stuff."
About halfway through the program, Bert was already noticing changes. Things he couldn't do before, like chopping wood, no came more easily, and other activities he could do for longer.
Although the hearts-in-training program in his community has finished, Bert is maintaining his healthier lifestyle. Since the Sun Run he has lost another eight pounds. Bert has ideas about how to encourage healthy lifestyle changes in his community. "We want to encourage more people to get out there and get active..." Bert has also noticed his family approaching him about changing their diet and cigarette smoking.
"I would say it's one of the greatest things that's ever happened to me, to know where I'm going with my health. Being high risk as I was, it's motivating that I can compare the 'before' and 'after' stats. I can set goals, and now I know where I'm going. I know that I can live longer."
Testimonials
“This was an amazing community-builder, and what a great reason – our health!”
“I like that medical advice was involved. I lost 13 pounds. I want to continue power walking and losing weight. I like to exercise now.”
“My commitment to being healthy is strengthened. This program has helped me to be serious about my health!”
“Got me to want to move. Awesome!”
“I had fun doing it, and felt IN the best shape I’ve been in a long time.”
“Participation in the program motivated me. I’m even going to continue after the Sun Run. My health improved… and my lungs. It was really good for me. I enjoyed it very much, got in good shape, and got much healthier!”
“It’s a great program, and it really motivated me to keep running after the program.”
Art Saunders is 72 years old, and has turned his health around. 
Bert Snow