Zack Ralphs: Overstock.com

Zack Ralphs is an employee of Overstock.com who has been participating in The Corporate Wellness Program for over a year. He has had an amazing opportunity to hike Mt.Kilamanjaro, with a paraplegic on his back, due to the significant changes he had made to his health and fitness. Here is his story:

"I have had a very successful training. The biggest accomplishment was that I quit smoking cigarettes on square route day, 03.03.09. After finding out that my internal age was that of a 51 year old (I was 28), and my blood pressure was off the charts at 179/153, in which I was told i needed to be taken to the hospital by my health coach. I was told my chances of having a heart attack within the next 5 years, was 100% likely. So I changed my lifestyle for the better.

Here is a list of some of the things I have quit; I stopped putting creamand sugar in my coffee, drinking energy drinks, eating fast food, eating a large dinner, eating candy or anything high in sugar, drinking carbonated drinks and eating processed foods as best as I can. I have had a small salad everyday for lunch since I can remember, with non-fat dressing.

I have even stopped the consumption of alcohol and I have been drinking half of my body weight, which is 100 oz. of water per day. I park in the furthest spot so that I have to walk a long distance wherever I go. I also have been playing ping pong on my breaks to replace my smoking breaks at work.

I try my best to get to bed before midnight, it doesn't always work out but I do my best to try and make sure that I get eight hours of sleep each night. I keep a copy of Paul Chek's 'How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy' by the side of my bed.....

It's been hard quittin all of these things, I have had to tell myself that it's mind of matter and where there's a will there's a way. I feel amazing and have lost 43 pounds..... I work out and go to the gym every other day and follow a workout routine.

Remember this: keep your head up and never let anyone get you down. If you want to get fit you and only can decide your destiny. It's hard work, but the benefits are more than worth it. The success of your health is up to you. Never give up as life is good!"