Blue Care Network member, Patricia Krapp, has been recognized as a regional winner of the 10th Annual Richard L. Swanson Award presented by Healthways' SilverSneakers program. A member of Curves gym in Berkley, Mich. and resident of Warren, Mich., Krapp started at her gym resistant to change. "I encouraged her to try different recipes and try to get in her 10,000 [daily] steps," said trainer Linda Gardner. "She would always give me a look [of disbelief], 'Yeah...sure.'" Since her beginnings at the gym, however, Krapp has made life-altering changes. She has lost more than 50 inches, 50 pounds and almost 10 percent of her total body fat over the course of the year. She accomplished nearly 300 workouts in just eight months and continues to inspire her friends at the gym to be active and healthy. "I told her that she was an inspiration," said Gardner. "She began to cry and I asked her what was wrong. She stated, 'No one has ever said that to me before.'" The Richard L. Swanson award honors SilverSneakers members with dedication to fitness and overall health who consciously make health improvements in their own life and inspire others to do the same. The award was created by SilverSneakers founder, Mary Swanson, whose father served as inspiration for the fitness program. Healthways staff members, BCBSM and BCN employees, Curves gym-mates and Krapp's family and friends all turned out to celebrate Krapp and her accomplishments in late September. View other photos from the ceremony here. Photo credit: A Healthier Michigan
