Page 32 - HCPVitalityChronicles

Positive Reinforcement from Herself and Others Helps Rebecca Schaumburg

Become Healthier Every Day

Rebecca Schaumburg, Administrative Assistant 3, HCP 190th To keep on track with exercise, Schaumburg recently pur-
Torrance, has come a long way in her relationship with food chased a FitBit. She walks during lunch and breaks with
over the past few years. Before the Vitality coworkers, and reaches her final daily
wellness program was such a big part of her 10,000 steps at home. She also re-
life, her diet included a lot of sugar, fried cently started a weight training regi-
foods and dairy, with a lack of fruits and veg- men, customized for her by a friend
etables. But people may not have known who is a body builder. In June, she also
this. “I would bring a Lean Cuisine to work completed the 90 Day Walking Chal-
for lunch, but at home, behind closed doors, lenge; the words of encouragement
is where I would eat,” she recalled. from this program really inspired her
to go further with her exercise.
At the suggestion of her primary care
physician, she joined HCPs’ Health Manage- She also keeps stringent food records to
ment Resources program, through which help with watching what she eats. “If I
she eventually lost 74 pounds in 2010. Vi- don’t, I can get into mischief,” she said,
tality reimbursed her for her weight loss ef- adding that she does allow herself cheat
forts using this program. It was almost too days. “I give myself permission to not be
much of a weight loss, according to her A fit and healthy Rebecca Schaumburg so strict on these days; you have to do
is enjoying the process of eating healthy
doctor, so she put on about 15 pounds. that, otherwise you will cave in to what
and making exercise a natural part of
She’s currently in the process of trimming her life. you want the most,” she explained.
down by about 15 pounds, and the support through the Vi-
tality program has been a big motivator for her to reach All of these changes have brought abundant health bene-
this goal. “I started really utilizing the Vitality program this fits in her life. “I feel better, my nails are strong, my hair
past year, and it has been the catalyst to keep me going,” and skin are softer and healthy,” said Schaumburg, who re-
Schaumburg said. cently reached Gold status in the Vitality program. She
wants to continue to Platinum. “My goal is to be as healthy
Yet for her, it’s not really about weight loss; it’s more about as I can be. When I get older, I want to be able to get up
self-acceptance. On her computer at work and on the mi- without help, or get up if I fall down.”
crowave oven at home, Shaumburg keeps a post-it note with
her mantra and true goal: “Who I am is the possibility for Liv- The encouragement in the process means a lot. Schaum-
ing Fit and for transforming my relationship with exercise burg speed walks, but with a coworker who recently
and eating healthy so that Living Fit becomes a natural way started to walk, she slows her pace to be with her. “You
of life!” The encouragement of those around her helps as have to get up and try; go slow and be patient,” she said.
well. “Even my husband will ask me, ‘Is that Living Fit, what “Ask for encouragement and help, and lose the negative
you are about to do?’ It gets me every time! I firmly believe self-talk; that’s so damaging. It’s all about positive rein-
when I am completely transformed, those extra 15 pounds forcement from others and from yourself.”
will come off naturally.”

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.