Participant Journey
Joining Pivio is a proven way to prevent, halt, or reverse chronic disease. In just 12 weeks, it can help you to:
- Reduce risk factors for many common chronic illnesses
- Feel better and think more clearly
- Be more productive
How Pivio changes your life
Pivio shifts you away from habits that undermine your health and toward those that support it.
You’ll pivot toward 6 targets:
| Target areas | Harmful habits | Pivio’s healthful habits | |
 Nutrition | Processed foods with high sodium and saturated fat |  | Whole foods, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes are key to restoring health. Pivio recommends a plant-rich, minimally processed eating pattern. |
 Activity | No exercise | | At least 30 minutes of daily exercise Exercise, even gentle movement like walking, lowers blood pressure, elevates mood, improves circulation, strengthens muscles, boosts immunity, and leads to more restful sleep. |
 Sleep | Short or irregular sleep | | 8+ hours of sleep each night 7-8 hours a night of restorative sleep is critical for weight control, blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular health, mood, dementia prevention, and keeping your immune system strong. |
 Social Connection | Seclusion | | Daily contact with friends and family Family, friends, and community play a powerful role in maintaining health. Research links social connection with fewer ailments and a longer life. |
 Risky Substances | Overuse of nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, or recreational drugs | | Avoidance of risky substances Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and drugs can threaten your health, as can environmental toxins and pollutants. It is important to understand and manage the risks. |
 Stress Management | High, unmanaged stress | | Low, well-managed stress It’s no secret that managing stress makes you feel happier. But it also helps you control your weight, reduce risk for heart disease and dementia, reduce muscle tension, get sick less often, and sleep soundly. |
Steps you’ll take
Get started!
You’ll learn about the Pivio program from administrators in your organization. (The program is only available to individuals whose employers, health care systems, or health care providers are Pivio partners.)
Once you express interest, you’ll receive an email that welcomes you to the program and tells you how to get started.
Attend Onboarding.
You’ll join an onboarding session where you’ll meet your facilitator and other Pivio participants in your group. Together you’ll learn what to expect over the course of the program. You will also get instructions on how to get started on the Pivio Portal.
Take health assessments.
The Pivio portal will direct you to complete a self-assessment of your current lifestyle:
- nutrition
- exercise
- stress management
- substance use
- relationships
- overall wellbeing
You’ll also schedule a blood test.
When the assessment and lab work are complete, you’ll receive reports called the Health & Lifestyle Snapshots. At a glance, you can see where change is needed most. You’ll get personalized recommendations for next steps.
Start using your cookbook.
Pivio will mail you a cookbook that’s packed with delicious and nutritious recipes. An online meal planner makes it easy to chart a course for meals in the week ahead.
If you’d rather not cook, the Fresh Start meal delivery option makes it easy to start eating healthier meals.
Track progress in your journal.
Pivio will mail you a personal journal to help you track your progress.
Through journaling, you may identify factors that underlie your health challenges. Recognizing those hurdles is a critical first step to overcoming them.
Watch fun and informative videos.
Participate in group sessions.
Over the next 12 weeks, you’ll take part in 18 group sessions.
- First 6 weeks: 2 sessions a week
- Second 6 weeks: 1 session a week
Sessions are facilitated by coaches who are trained and accredited in behavior change. Your coach/facilitator guides you in a conversation around your goals for the program.
You and your fellow group members support one another along the journey. Together you learn, discuss questions, track your progress, and cheer everyone’s success.
Explore educational materials.
You can choose to watch videos, read articles, and scan fact sheets about topics that are important to you, such as diabetes, hypertension, and more.
These resources help you better understand your health—and the “why” behind each lifestyle change.
Set goals…and meet them!
You and your group will discuss the 5-Day Fresh Start Challenge, a first commitment to changing your lifestyle.
You’ll set an initial goal for yourself to complete. At the end of the first week, you’ll celebrate its completion with your group.
As you progress, you’ll set additional goals. Each one helps you to pivot your lifestyle and improve your health.
Repeat the assessment…and keep up the good work!
After 10 weeks you’ll do another health assessment. Pivio compares the original and new measurements to identify changes in biometrics and wellbeing scores.
Your tests will show you how far you’ve come—and what your next steps should be.
Equipment needed
Pivio can be completed entirely online. You will need a computer with high-speed Internet access or a mobile device.
Deatrice, participant
“I had high blood pressure….My goal for this program was to learn about food and what makes a healthy diet. What I got is much more.”
Tonya, participant
“After beginning the Pivio program, I feel empowered. I feel like I’ve been given the tools to start my new life. In 3 weeks I lost 10 pounds and continue to lose more weight as I maintain the journey at home. This has become my lifestyle, and I am very happy with it”
Learn how Pivio can help your organization.
Find out how you can implement Pivio and transform lives. The team at Lifestyle Medicine Institute (LMI) will work with you to create the ideal plan for your organization or practice.