3 Metro Detroit Firehouses Challenged to Make Healthy Changes

Firefighters dedicate their lives to rescuing others, but who is rescuing them?

"Actually, we're trying to rescue them," said Kerrie Saunders PhD -- one meal at a time.

It's a new day in the kitchen at a Pontiac firehouse -- vegetables everywhere and very little meat. The big change was inspired by the Engine 2 diet book and Saunders, who has a PhD in natural health.

She challenged three fire stations to make huge changes hoping it would lead to healthier bodies and minds.

"You figure they're working in a stressful environment every day," Saunders said.

Pontiac Fire Lieutenant Quinton Guyton embraced the challenge right down to the green smoothie. The same scene played out at Commerce Township and Walled Lake firehouses.

There were weekly boot camps and food education for eight weeks, and even before official results were in, the guys were amazed at their accomplishments.

"I feel like I'm 20 again. I've had arthritis in my knees. That seems to have (gone) away. I'm able to go out now with my son and play football in the backyard; stuff that I really didn't have the energy to do before. I feel great," said Jim Repenter with the Commerce Fire Department.

A couple of weeks later, Saunders got the lab work back and even she was stunned.

"So exciting -- our total cholesterol came down. Some guys got to the target, which is 150. That's preventive medicine's goal. Our HDL went up. Our LDL came down. The BMIs came down. It was wonderful. We had one guy reverse his colitis symptoms. Another guy's no longer on his diabetic medications," Saunders said.

Now the goal is to build on the success and make it a long-term lifestyle change.

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Related Links:

Dr. Kerrie Saunders
www.drfood.citymax.com/home.html

Engine 2 Diet Book
www.engine2diet.com