Page 83 - HCPVitalityChronicles

Vitality Member Sandra Audije, RN, Finds Her Stride

with Diet and Exercise Changes

Sandra Audije, RN, HCP Infusion joined the Vitality program three
Center, was not slacking by any years ago, but started taking it
means. She used to go to kickbox- more seriously last year—and part
ing classes regularly and was giving of this included getting gym mem-
“200 percent effort,” as she re- bership at 24-Hour Fitness. In addi-
called. But nothing really started to tion to helping her reach her
change in how she felt until she par- fitness goals, the weight lifting is a
ticipated in her family’s Biggest great stress reliever for Audije.
Loser Contest.
She has become increasingly en-
Her brother organized this contest, gaged with the Vitality program re-
which ran last September through cently, taking the online nutrition
December. She and a handful of courses, playing Vitality Squares
cousins participated. One of her each month, and signing up for the
cousins, a physical trainer, encour- Walmart grocery program. She has
aged her to keep a diary of what she Sandra Audije on a Vitality hike with teammates Jupiter used some points for movie tickets
was eating—which ultimately trans- Medina, left, and Julius Lozano, right, in May 2014. and Amazon cards, and recently,
formed into using MyFitnessPal to keep track of all of her nu- when she won in Vitality Squares, she opted to donate to
trition and fitness. charity rather than take a Starbucks card, which, she said,
would have cancelled out her exercise efforts. She donated
Ironically, she was not eating unhealthy foods prior to the to Protect an Acre Conservation International, Feeding Pets
contest. She blended a lot of fruits and vegetables but, as of the Homeless, Heaven on Earth Society for Animals, and
she discovered, she was taking in too many carbs and too The Wild Animal Sanctuary.
much sugar. By lowering carbs and sugars, and increasing
her protein and ensuring she is still getting enough healthy When she first started the challenge, she would plan her
fiber, she started seeing changes. meals in advance on the weekend, and cook all day Sunday.
Now she has a bit more flexibility, but still ensures her diet is
She won the family’s contest by dropping 15 pounds. Her well-rounded and healthy.
goal was to lose 30, so she is still on her way.
“Before this, it was really frustrating and depressing because
“I feel a lot less sluggish,” said Audije, who marks six years I was trying,” Audije said. “Nothing changed until I changed
with HCP this year. “Before, everything was a chore. Now I my diet.
feel lighter.”
“I love that my scrubs fit better,” she continued. “My
Her targeted workouts are also helping her cause. In addition coworkers and patients have started to notice, and that
to her cardio exercise, which includes running or jogging with helps keep me motivated.”
her dogs, she lifts weights twice a week at the gym. She

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.