This article was written for our sponsor, Orthus Health.

Type 2 diabetes affects more than 29 million people across the world. For those suffering, it’s a daily struggle to establish permanent lifestyle and diet changes, such as getting regular exercise, subscribing to a healthier diet, and steering clear of unhealthy habits.

For most, that’s easier said than done — but a little accountability goes a long way.

Greg Gordon was in great health for all of his life, until he was unexpectedly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at age 47. After receiving the news, Gordon immediately began meeting with a dietician to establish a new routine, but after a year of monthly meetings, his insurance no longer covered the expense.

With that accountability gone, Gordon started to veer off track.

“You don’t even realize it,” he said. “I really wasn’t drinking water at all. I was snacking a lot, and I still do a little bit; but boy, there’s a big difference between what I was doing. You totally get away from stuff.”

Fortunately, Gordon was able to find the accountability he was looking for. Through his job at Community First Bank of Indiana, he was able to enroll in Orthus Health’s wellness program, where he was assigned his own health coach.

Orthus Health’s advanced coaching program provides people like Gordon with one-on-one consulting, training and accountability. Individuals are each assigned to their own HIPAA-trained coach, from registered nurses and dieticians to health educators and exercise physiologists. They’re then able to keep in touch through monthly phone calls and daily texts, whether it’s to check in on major health questions or simply look for encouragement to avoid getting fast food for lunch.

For Gordon, this accountability has been transformational thanks to his coach, Robin.

“When you have Type 2, you’re going to have to exercise consistently, you need a coach monthly. Ideally, a nurse with her background,” Gordon said. “Working with her, that’s what worked for me. My readings have naturally improved, because I’ve lost the weight.”

“I feel better since I’ve been working with Robin,” Gordon continued. “My discipline’s better — that’s big. I haven’t had a doughnut in a long time. Robin told me, ‘Once you start doing a little here, a little there — eating apples — you won’t have some of those urges.’ Which is kind of what’s been happening. My portions are down.”

For Andrew Ediger, the experience has been similarly beneficial. Ediger, who has been talking with his Orthus Health coach for several years, has seen his weight drop by almost 100 pounds since starting.

“I think the accountability really helped. Obviously, it’s shown in the weight,” Ediger said of his experience. “My coach would call and ask how my A1C [a common blood test used to diagnose diabetes] was doing, how my blood sugar level had been doing, if I had noticed anything different problem-wise. She would give me ideas if something was going wrong; or if it was going well, she would be super excited about it.”

Beyond the health consultations, both Ediger and Gordon have formed relationships with their coaches that helps add some familiarity to the sometimes uncomfortable situation of opening your health up to a third party. In many ways, it’s been a key component in both men’s success.

“When I first started, I was trying to get used to it. But now when she calls, we’ll talk about my A1C and stuff, but then she’ll ask, ‘How is it going?’,” Ediger said. “And I’ll go on about movies I’ve seen, stuff like that — just talking to her about random things.”

Gordon echoed similar sentiments, detailing how he and his coach chat about their personal lives and families, to the point where his coach started offering tips to help his wife be an accountability partner with him through these major lifestyle changes.

“Shelly, my wife, she’s more cognizant now because of Robin. I’ll say, ‘Hey Shelly, Robin was saying, if we make spaghetti, I should try and have a small portion.’ See, that can raise your blood sugar,” Gordon explained. “She’s given us a lot of accessory advice on what to eat.”

Since working with his Orthus Health coach for just one year, Gordon has established a healthier daily routine. Every morning, he wakes up and checks his blood sugar levels, sending Robin updates periodically. Additionally, Gordon, who isn’t big into fitness clubs and gyms, will head to his basement several days a week to get in a workout on his NordicTrack.

And the work has paid off. Gordon has already dropped 15 pounds and hopes to knock at least another five off of the scale. Not only that, but by bringing his numbers down, he was able to avoid upping his prescription medication dosage.

“I’m not sure exactly where I’d be right now with my health if I didn’t have this relationship where I talk with Robin monthly,” Gordon said. “I’m in the right zone. She’s gotten me back on track. Bottom line.”

This article was written for our sponsor, Orthus Health.

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