Page 29 - HCPVitalityChronicles

Steve Alvarado Hikes and Cycles His Way to Good Health

Since the middle of March, every sandwiches. He substituted water for
Saturday morning has been the the drinks he had before.
same for Steve Alvarado, Medical
Assistant/ LLT, HCP Carson. He gets The good news came on April 16,
up early so that he and his friends when he had his blood work checked
from work can hike up to the Holly- again. His triglycerides were in the
wood Sign. It’s a six-mile, three- normal range, and his cholesterol was
hour adventure, with an average of four points away from being in the
12 to 15 people making the trek normal range. “I was never so excited
each time. It’s an inspiring way to to draw blood in my life,” he said.
start the weekend, and something
Alvarado plans to continue to do. Dietary changes weren’t the only way
he got there. In addition to the
Alvarado’s journey with Vitality weekly hikes, Alvarado, a Gold mem-
began in May 2012, when he ber with Vitality, takes half-hour
joined the wellness program as a walks during lunchtime and reaches
motivation for losing weight. An 10,000 steps per day on his FitBug.
ex-military man, Alvarado had “just He also loves the spin/cycling class
slacked off,” as he said, and he takes at the gym twice a week.
needed new discipline to get on Since January 16, he has lost 39
track again. He would exercise for pounds.
six months, then stop. “Same thing
with my diet; I wasn’t consistent,” “I feel great,” Alvarado said. “Now I
he said. am very active and I feel motivated
to do all of the exercise.”
The real trigger came in January of Steve Alvarado in December 2012, left, and in April
2013. Below, he is on the left with coworkers LaCoya
this year, when laboratory tests re- Roberts, Ana Avalos, Stephanie Barillas and Oscar Perez His coworkers appreciate Alvarado’s
vealed that his cholesterol and on April 6, 2013, hiking to the Hollywood sign. dedication. “Steve has been a big
triglycerides were high. “I wanted to see if exercise and diet motivation here at the Carson site,” said fellow Vitality mem-
could lower them,” he explained. He cut out sweets and ber LaCoya Roberts, Care Team Member 2. “He inspires and
beer, and lessened the amount of carb intake. Now his diet motivates us to continue to be active by inviting us along
incorporates more salads, healthy chicken and occasional when he attends cycling classes and when he goes hiking.”

All information in the Vitality program is HIPAA protected. Members have chosen to share their personal health accomplishments.

For more information about Vitality, visit www.powerofvitality.com. Contact Janet Galli for further program information.