Skip to main navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to footer
For
Medicare
For
Providers
For
Brokers
For
Employers
EspañolFor Individuals & Families:
For Individuals & Families
Shop for Plans
Shop for Plans
Shop for your own coverage
Medical
Dental
Other Supplemental
Plans through your employer
Learn about the medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral, and voluntary benefits your employer may offer.
Explore coverage through work
Learn
How to Buy Health Insurance
Types of Dental Insurance
Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment
See all topics
Looking for Medicare coverage?
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Medical
Dental
Other Supplemental
Explore coverage through work
How to Buy Health Insurance
Types of Dental Insurance
Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment
See all topics
Shop for Medicare plans
Member Guide
Find a Doctor
Log in to myCigna
HomeKnowledge CenterWellness LibraryJoe's Story: Changing My Lifestyle
Joe's Story: Changing My Lifestyle
Joe's Story
Joe, 61
Read how Joe learned that success can come one change at a time.
"The walking was the easy part for me. I get out every evening for a walk. The food part took some thought. Each week, I added a food that was good for me and took something away that was bad for me."
When Joe turned 60 last year, he decided he was overdue for a good, old-fashioned physical. He had always been blessed with good health. But he knew that at his age he should be having regular checkups, especially since he was overweight.
His doctor gave him a full exam and found no serious health problems. She also scheduled Joe for a cholesterol test.
Joe, a real estate broker, was surprised when the doctor called to tell him about the test results. His cholesterol was too high.
"My first thought was that I would file this away for later," recalls Joe. "But then my doctor said, 'We really need to get on top of this. Your age and your cholesterol levels raise your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke.'"
That was the day Joe decided to take on a new project: to keep his heart healthy.
Joe's plan
Joe and his doctor talked about his risk. They decided that he could try lowering his risk with some heart-healthy changes. They made a plan. He would eat more heart-healthy foods. And he would take a half-hour brisk walk most days of the week.
"I didn't know if I could change my old habits. But it turned out to be pretty simple: Don't eat so much fatty food. And get some exercise."
One change at a time
Joe knew he'd have to ease into it. "I'm just not that type of person who can change everything at once."
So he planned ahead and wrote one food change a week on his calendar. "The walking was the easy part for me. I get out every evening for a walk. The food part took some thought," explains Joe. But as soon as he had it written down, his plan was pretty easy to follow. "Each week, I added a food that was good for me and took something away that was bad for me."
Challenges and successes
"Usually, I can fight it, but sometimes I give in. So I've learned to not beat myself up about that. Instead, I refocus on my plan and get right back to eating healthy food. What keeps me going is the results. I've lost weight, and I feel younger every day."
This story is based on information gathered from many people facing this health issue.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.
Making Your Change HappenMaking a Change That MattersKeeping Change Going—Your New NormalNot Ready for Change?Thinking About a Change?Jaci's Story: Changing Her Life With Small StepsPlanning for a Change That Matters
Get an ID card
File a claim
View my claims and EOBs
Check coverage under my plan
See prescription drug list
Find an in-network doctor, dentist, or facility
Find a form
Find 1095-B tax form information
View the Cigna Glossary
Contact Cigna
Audiences
Individuals and Families
Medicare
Employers
Brokers
Providers
Secure Member Sites
myCigna member portal
Health Care Provider portal
Cigna for Employers
Client Resource Portal
Cigna for Brokers
The Cigna Group Information
About Cigna Healthcare
Company Profile
Careers
Newsroom
Investors
Suppliers
The Cigna Group
Third Party Administrators
International
Evernorth
Cigna. All rights reserved.
Privacy
Legal
Product Disclosures
Cigna Company Names
Customer Rights
Accessibility
Non-Discrimination Notice
Language Assistance [PDF]
Report Fraud
Sitemap
Cookie Settings
Disclaimer
Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see
a listing of the legal entities
that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.
All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.
Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites.
Details