The Healthyme Journey
The Annual Healthyme Jo
Throughout the year, our health coaches offer a variety of challenges and activities. Our most popular and successful program is the annual Healthyme Lifestyle Contest. This is a 6-month program open to all of our clients and their spouses or significant others.
The program is not just about weight-loss. Rather, this is an opportunity to make sustainable, long-term changes with your health while being supported by a wellness community of like-minded individuals who are working toward similar goals. It is truly a life changing experience!
Last year over 600 members from companies throughout the US took the first step toward improving their health and signed up for the contest. Out of those applicants, 3 individuals were chosen as our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners with several runners-up from a variety of backgrounds and industries. Take a look at “Our Success Stories” to see the previous Healthyme finalists and winners. Stories like theirs are why we do what we do here at American Health & Wellness! We hope you are inspired by their health journey and know that you can do it too!
The 2024 contest has closed and is no longer accepting applications. Join us again in January 2025!
Starting applications for the 2024 Healthyme Lifestyle Contest have officially closed!
Contest runs from January – June. Contestants will have until July 15th to submit their ending results via the link below. If you have any questions, please contact the wellness team.
What is Healthyme?
The Healthyme Journey is a year-round celebration with motivational tools and rewards to recognize you for meeting your health goals! Whether you started last year or you are starting today, we believe rewards are a key part of goal setting and motivation. Therefore, we will be recognizing our participants’ successes along the way throughout the entire year. There will be a Healthyme Journey winner each month by submitting their goals and their accomplishments, and a grand prize at the end of the year.
Did You Say REWARDS?
Yes! You deserve it! The big celebration is at the end of the year when we award 1st Place $3000, 2nd Place $2000 & 3rd Place $1000 and several $500 Runners-up. Throughout the year, we’ll be selecting individuals with the most inspiring stories to win $500! Click HERE to see our previous winners! We also will be giving away walking pads, Fitbit, etc., to help you on your journey.
How Do I Join the Healthyme Journey?
Simple! Submit your Healthyme Journey Story by clicking HERE and sharing your name, contact information, and your story.
Your journey is unique, and your story can inspire others. Take a moment to reflect on your progress, the steps you’ve taken, and the support you’ve found along the way. This is your chance to celebrate your success and be recognized as we close out 2025!
2025 1st Place Winner – Omar Castro
Sharing this story hasn’t been easy for him, as it required an honest look at his relationship with food, his health, and his mental well-being. For years, he unknowingly used food as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, and situations he didn’t want to face. That pattern became so normalized that he justified it at every turn, and by age 43, it had led him to 397 pounds, constant physical pain, and reliance on daily medication just to function.
He adapted to these limitations and convinced himself it was manageable—until a serious health scare resulted in an ER visit with dangerously high blood pressure, forcing him to confront reality. Soon after, he was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and hypertension and received a sobering warning: if nothing changed, he might not live long enough to see his children grow up.
That moment became his turning point. Now, at 45, he is down 156 pounds and continues working toward his goals, stronger and healthier than he has been in years. He has learned that taking care of himself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Being able to participate in a workplace wellness program and knowing he is not alone in this fight has been incredibly impactful. Many of the courses resonate deeply, often feeling as though they speak directly to his experiences, and the self-reflection he gains—while sometimes uncanny—is essential for continued growth.
2024 1st Place Winner – Jerry Inabnit
Jerry “Just because my parents had type 2 diabetes or a heart attack doesn’t mean I will.”
Jerry Inabnit, a steel fabricator at Lenex Steel who was able to lose 52 pounds, reduce his weight circumference by 12 inches AND his doctor reduced his cholesterol & blood pressure medications? How did he do it? It is what we all need, motivation, tools, and support! Jerry knew diabetes and heart disease ran in his family, but it is what Jerry did that made the difference, he changed his lifestyle. Jerry got involved weekly in lifestyle programs with his company’s wellness programs, like the CDC 16-week PreventT2 diabetes prevention sessions, movement challenges, and even mental health month to give him the community and support he needed to make changes. He mostly changed his diet and started going to the gym. According to the CDC, all you need to do is lose 7% of your body fat and you can reduce your chances of getting type 2 diabetes, Jerry lost 18% of his body weight! Congratulations Jerry! Live long and prosper!
2023 1st Place Winner – Greg Carter
YES, HE DID! Greg Carter, of C&S Machines, lost 100 pounds in one year, is no longer a type 2 diabetic and has never looked back! He remembers the day, October 26, 2022. That is the day Greg found out he had type 2 diabetes, and he didn’t know how to improve. But a quick phone call to his American Heath & Wellness coach changed all that. Greg took his diagnosis seriously and changed from a diet of fast food and soda to a lot of protein & veggies and exercise. Through the education from his health coaches, he reduced not only his carbohydrates, but lowered his A1c to the point he is no longer a diabetic and can move around easier and sleep better! Congratulations Greg, we know you are sticking to your journey, and we are so proud of you!
2022 1st Place Winner – Anne Knapke
A year ago, Anne Knapke decided it was time to put herself first. She didn’t feel like herself or have any energy to get through her day. And with her two younger sons both getting married soon, Anne wanted to get her confidence back and recognize herself in pictures again.
Fast forward to 2022, Anne has lost 70 pounds and was the first-place winner in American Health and Wellness’ annual HealthyMe Lifestyle contest.
“I feel so much better and have much more energy. My sleep has improved as well,” Anne said, also sharing that she wishes she had started this journey years ago!
So how did she accomplish her goals?
Anne began with intermittent fasting, or an eating plan that cycles between periods of fasting and eating, while also following a pescatarian diet. She says, “I have learned so much about nutrition and how food affects me. I have always used food as my emotional crutch, but it was killing me.”
As her energy began to improve so she started working out to build on her new nutritional habits. Anne now works out 4-5 times a week, including an hour on the elliptical along with using weights.
Anne also credits much of her success to her support system. Her co-worker, Bianca, has been her “workout buddy” and helped keep her accountable. Anne has also attended the group coaching circles and seminars offered by American Health and Wellness to gain further knowledge and support in making these lifestyle changes. She said, “You have all been so informative, supportive and most of all encouraging to me. I always look forward to each and every presentation as I feel so much better after watching and learning!”
Anne’s advice to those wanting to make lifestyle changes is to, “Hang in there. It is a process and a journey.” She also wants others to know, “This doesn’t happen overnight and will always be a lifelong process. Give yourself grace and be kinder to herself.” We have loved being a part of your journey so far, Anne. Congratulations on accomplishing your goals and achieving the 1st Place HealthyMe Winner Award!
2021 1st Place Winner – Chris Mann
Chris Mann truly knows firsthand the meaning of the phrase, “What a difference a year makes!” This Williams Comfort Air employee transformed both his body and mind since last November, losing more than 100 pounds, alleviating his back pain, dropping his A1C level from 13.9 to 5.1 and reducing insulin shots from five per day to one. Most of all, Chris believes he saved his own life by seeking healthier habits.
“I have totally changed my diet and lifestyle,” Chris said, also sharing how sometimes people do not even recognize the “new” him. “Eliminating soda and eating to live instead of living to eat have been the biggest lifestyle changes… I feel so much better.”
Undeniably, last year Chris experienced an epiphany moment when he was hospitalized and remained in the ICU for nearly 10 days after being diagnosed with diabetes and other high-risk factors. He decided to transform those setbacks into goals and was determined to get healthier. “Being more active with my family and with work combined with my diet changes started melting away the pounds,” Chris remarked. “The more weight I lost, the better I felt and the back pain also went away. Who knew carrying around an extra 100+ pounds could be so hard on your back!”
Chris credits his family as being a solid support system for him during his personal journey for improved health; he laughs at how his young son often asks him where his daddy’s belly went! Overall, Chris is healthier, happier and proud to be on this new path in life. “My biggest advice to others is to stay active, set reasonable goals for yourself, be conscious of carb and sugar intake, and just try new healthy things,” Chris said. “It’s ok to step out of your comfort zone. You don’t have to starve yourself to lose weight; just eat sensibly and stay active!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? See our frequently asked questions section below! If we haven’t answered your question, please email the coaching team at wellness@americanhw.net and we will get back to you as soon as we can.