Page 67 - HCPVitalityChronicles

Raymond Garcia Gets on a Healthier Path through Weight Loss Challenge

and Vitality Program

It took some urging from one of everywhere—during his
his coworkers this past March breaks at work, to the
for Raymond Garcia to partici- store. Over time he added
pate in the weight loss challenge running, jogging, planking
at HCP Mariner. He thought to and pushups to his routine,
himself, “Okay, this sounds cool, using MapMyFitness to link
I’ll try it out.” But it took actually to his Vitality account.
weighing himself for the serious-
ness of the matter to set it. In a few short months, Gar-
“When I weighed myself, it hurt cia has already reached
my feelings,” Garcia, Certified Platinum status on Vitality.
Pharmacy Technician, recalled. “I While the points are great,
didn’t know I weighed that the change in how he feels
much.” both physically and men-
tally is the greatest benefit.
That number on the scale pro-
pelled him on a quest for better Raymond Garcia, before and after. “I have a lot of energy
health. At the same time he now,” Garcia said. “I like to
started the weight loss challenge, he also joined the Vital- stay active, not just go home and sit in front of the TV.” He
ity wellness program. has added hikes to the exercise mix, and he has noticed
that he wakes up earlier too, feeling better and ready to
“At that time, I had no exercise plan at all. I ate heavy start the day.
every day—any type of greasy food, like In N’ Out, the
food truck. Then I would go home and eat greasy, fast food So far he has lost 58 pounds, and although he wants to
at home, too,” Garcia said. lose a bit more, he has slowed down the pace. He is only
about 20 pounds away from his ideal weight goal. The en-
One of his motivations to lose weight at the time, in addi- couragement of his family, girlfriend and coworkers goes a
tion to the challenge, was an upcoming trip to Cancun, long way toward helping him.
which took place in June. “I wanted to be comfortable with
taking my shirt off,” Garcia said. “I took it full charge.” And how did Cancun go? He went there the week after the
weight loss challenge ended, and he indeed did feel com-
He changed his diet dramatically, cutting out greasy foods fortable in the beach setting. “It’s not easy,” he said. “The
and replacing them with a lot of vegetables. “I completely scale is what really got me going. Take it one day at a
changed my lunches from fast food to vegetables, nuts, time.”
and lots of water,” Garcia said. He also started walking

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.