Page 44 - HCPVitalityChronicles

Leaving Nobody Behind: The HCP Willow Champs

Because the HCP Willow site in Front Office at Willow, takes.
Long Beach is so big, it made “People have an image of a
sense to share the role of Vitality champ, that they have to be
champ there. So Jessica Harris, very ac.ve, athle.c, skinny,”
Cathleen Lamb and Julie Perez said Perez. “I was not ac.ve
share the responsibility of being before star.ng with Vitality.
co-champs, each bringing her I’m a mom and I was always a
own exper.se to the table. Their cheerleader on the side. Now
ul.mate goal is the same: to en- I am learning how to be more
courage employees to par.cipate ac.ve. I walk a lot with my
in the Vitality program as a way husband, and now I can do a
to get healthier. 5K, but I am proof that you
don’t have to do a triathlon
“Working in Health Enhance- Willow champs Jessica Harris, Cathleen Lamb and Julie Perez to succeed with this program.
at the SOLO 5K at the Beach in Long Beach on February 2,
ment, it is important to me to 2013. With 197 participants, it was their biggest event yet. People with all different kinds
focus on the health of employees, of fitness levels can reach
and then promote health outside of the company as well,” Pla.num.”
said Harris, RN, Cer.fied Diabetes Educator. Last year, Har-
ris coordinated a successful weight loss challenge for em- “We want to give employees different fitness op.ons,”
ployees at the HCP Willow site. And in 2013, she wants to Lamb added, “so that nobody is le! behind.” Another ben-
con.nue to get more employees involved with the Vitality efit of varying intensi.es of workouts is that it gives em-
wellness program. ployees goals, as over .me some employees want to try
the more difficult walk.
Seeing staff encourage one another in their health goals is
one of the most exci.ng things about being a champ, said And leading the team certainly helps keep your own goals
Lamb, Manager, Administra.ve Services, Willow. “Every- present. “Being a champ has held me more accountable,”
one is wearing their FitBugs at work, and people are en- Lamb said. “I have to get employees excited, so I myself
couraging each other in their daily walking,” said Lamb, need to be.”
adding that there is a computer in each department that
staff can use to upload their FitBug steps to Vitality. The excitement is contagious when you see others reach-
ing their goals. “When people would step on the scale dur-
Lamb leads a group fitness series on a four-mile walk that ing the weight loss challenge and you could see their
includes hills. But the idea of Vitality is to include everyone excitement, it was a great feeling,” Harris said. “We want
in the program, regardless of their fitness level. So there is to always encourage con.nuing involvement so that peo-
another SOLO walking group that traverses the fla/er sur- ple maintain their health or weight loss goals. It’s really im-
face of the parking lot. This is the route Perez, Supervisor, portant to offer that support.”

If you are interested in star.ng a weight loss group at your site, please contact your Vitality champ.
All weight loss groups should first check with Janet Galli.