Page 50 - HCPVitalityChronicles

Learning to Love Herself: Vitality Champ Rowena Apelacio Develops

Confidence through Healthier Choices

Just do it for yourself. This is the motto Rowena Apelacio,
Care Team Member 2, HCP Temple City, tries to impart to
others as a motivation to eat healthier and get active.

The Vitality champ definitely lives by her own words. She
takes the bus to work and leaves 45 minutes earlier than
necessary so that she can get off one stop earlier, 1.5 miles
from the office. She walks this distance each work day to
get some extra exercise into the start of her day.

This extra motivation to a healthier life started two years
ago during the weight loss challenge at her site. She
learned to portion her food and began walking at lunch.
She lost 15 pounds in the process and placed fourth in the Vitality champ Rowena Apelacio feels inspired to make smart eat-
ing and exercise choices to continue to improve her health and fit-
contest. But what she didn’t gain in competition place- ness. Meeting a 96-year-old lady on a recent hike inspired her even
ment, she more than made up for in another way. “This more on her path to good health.
built my self-confidence,” Apelacio said.
and wants to keep trying to
encourage employee partici-
Eating right and exercising felt so good that Apelacio
couldn’t go back to her previous eating habits. “I gave up pation. “I want people to
pork and beef, and now eat chicken and fish mostly,” she walk and eat healthy,” she
explained. In addition to walking, she loves Zumba and said. “Also, getting outside
does it about three times a week. Her other love is hiking. for a walk or a hike is a great
stress relief.”

On a recent hike, Apelacio met a 96-year-old woman hik-
ing on the trail. It was incredibly inspirational to her, and The way she feels now is
made her think about why she is so dedicated to healthy what keeps her inspired to
eating and exercise. “My dad died at 40 from heart fail- keep going. “I used to feel
ure,” she said. “I want to be here; I want to see my grand- ugly, I had such low self-es-
children. I am going to take care of my health now, so that teem,” Apelacio said. “Now I
I don’t regret it later.” can dress up; I can wear a
dress, and I feel beautiful
now.”
She has been serving as a Vitality champ for a few months,

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.