Page 49 - HCPVitalityChronicles

Marco Cubero Brings Tremendous Enthusiasm to His New Role as Vitality Champ

“I feel more alive.” It would be hard to find a better testi- races he has been doing lately, including 5Ks as well as
monial to the Vitality wellness program than these words bubble runs. At a bubble run, there are different colored
from new Vitality champ Marco Cubero, Budget Analyst 3, foam walls that participants have to pierce through during
HCP Pacific Gateway. An employee at HCP since earlier this the race, and at the end of the race is a huge party with
year, Cubero enrolled in the program as soon as he could, bubbles. “This would be great for families to participate
on May 1, 2013. And soon after that, he got on board to in,” he said.
serve as a Vitality champ, to help promote
the benefits of the wellness program. Throughout his own journey toward im-
proving his health, his wife Patty has
The road to this point has had its bumps. In been his best friend and biggest propo-
November 2012, Cubero was diagnosed nent. Yet Cubero noted that the support
with diabetes. Since this time, he has lost system of the Vitality program makes it
30 pounds. The motivation was simple; the very helpful for people to receive extra
thought of losing his foot due to the dis- encouragement.
ease was enough to start changing his
lifestyle. “Before, I would eat out half of He has noticed a change in his life for the
the week, and I drank wine and beer,” better regarding support and encourage-
Cubero noted. “I don’t drink at all anymore; ment. “Before, I would come home from
now I drink water. Now I limit my carb in- work tired, and I would watch TV. Now
take and have smaller portions at least five when I get home, I walk with my wife
times a day—a pack of veggies, hummus. and we talk. Being more active is even
I’m eating foods that are tastier.” helping with my relationship to keep it
healthy,” Cubero said.
He has also gotten more physically active,
and currently uses MapMyFitness to keep As a champ, Cubero wants to get the
track of his activity and earn Vitality points. word out there to HCP employees to
And he has done some Vitality nutrition participate in the walks and other pro-
courses to more closely review his knowl- grams Vitality offers. “People need to
Marco Cubero at a Bubble Run at
edge of what he should be eating. UC Irvine on May 25, 2013. Getting his push themselves to get better,” Cubero
As a champ, he wants to encourage partici- family active is important to him as said. He is living proof that this works.
well; here he is pictured at an El
pation in some of the types of runs and Monte Bike Race with his sons An-
drew and Austin.

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

For more information about the Vitality program, visit www.powerofvitality.com or contact Janet Galli.