Positive Pulse
Cynthia Romero, Administrative Assistant, Charter Schools at Ridder Park.
I was 42 years old with a birthday quickly approaching, 80 pounds overweight, beginning
to feel pain due to my weight, and simply very uncomfortable. I really had begun to dislike
seeing pictures of myself and would strategically place myself behind my children when
posing in pictures. I knew I had to do something and I knew it was only going to get harder
the longer I waited to make a change.
I learned of a new gym/weight loss program from a longtime friend, who had been
posting online about her weight loss success and decided to ask her about it. She told me
the gym/program was largely a community of members who were all on the same plight to lose weight and/or stay
healthy. With the support and knowledge provided from highly qualified coaches, participants were successful. The best
part of the program was that you would get your money back if you reached your 20 pound goal. So I figured…what did I
have to lose and signed up.
Well it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. Since beginning in January 2015 some of my
accomplishments have been that I’ve lost 50 pounds, my blood pressure is normal, I’ve learned to make a commitment
to myself to work out every morning, to eat and cook and clean because I know how good it is for me and how good it
makes me feel.
It was definitely one of the most frightening things I've ever done but also one of the most rewarding things I've ever
done. If I could give advice to anyone looking to better their health, I would say to find something that works FOR YOU!
To go in knowing it’s going to be hard, but it’s also going to be worth it because you are worth it.
Your health is the best thing you give to yourself and your loved ones.
Meet Van Ho, Paraeducator at Erikson School.
I learned some years ago that walking is very important for me personally. Moving my body
and being outside allows me to control stress and improve my emotional well-being. Since I
joined Vitality and earned a Fitbit with my Vitality Points, I've become a more consistent
exerciser and therefore more fit. I used to walk a mile or so after dinner some days but now,
I like to challenge myself to achieve 12,000 to 15,000 steps each day.
Last year, my physician let me know that my cholesterol levels had moved from borderline
to high and that I needed to start taking medication. He even wrote me a prescription for
cholesterol lowering medication. I could not believe that even though I was walking each
day, I still developed high cholesterol. I was afraid, so he allowed me to try lowering my
cholesterol with dietary changes first. I adopted a few new habits that really helped me turn
things around. I began to eat fruit and vegetables in every meal while lowering the amount of fatty meats. I also started
to eat breakfast each day which helps me to maintain my blood sugar levels so I eat more reasonably throughout the
day.
There were two motivations that helped me to stay on track; I wanted to avoid medication and heart disease and I also
wanted to earn Vitality Points for lowering my cholesterol. After two months, the lab results showed that my cholesterol
had moved into a more normal range and therefore I was able to avoid taking medication. I was so happy that I had to
share the news with Tricia Zamora, the SCCOE Wellness Specialist. I wanted her to know that the Vitality Program gave
me the extra motivation to make the changes.
SCCOE encourages you to talk to your doctor before significantly increasing your level of physical activity.
Today, I share my enthusiasm for Vitality and Fitbit with others who work at SCCOE. I use my Vitality Points to purchase
Fitbits for fellow co-workers in the Special Education department so that they can improve their fitness and well-being.
Once my co-workers earn enough points to get their own Fitbit, they share it with their co-workers so we can all
participate together.
Meet Karen Doyle, Teacher at Sunol Middle School.
When I heard about the Vitality program at SCCOE, I was very interested. Truthfully, I
applied to SCCOE because I wanted to come out of retirement and also wanted to
participate in Vitality. Prior to joining SCCOE, I was inactive, ate a high-fat diet, gained a
lot of weight, and had little energy to do what I needed to do each day. I knew I had to
change my lifestyle and thanks to the structure of Vitality, I did!
I had two goals, to start walking with a Fitbit tracker and complete a 5K or 10K walk. I
accomplished my goals by starting at a level that was doable for me then built up my
steps little by little. I started walking with my dog and now we are up to three walks a day. I saw my daily steps increase
from 5,000 to 10,000 then to 15,000 steps-per-day. After five months, I am up to 34,000 steps or 16 miles on most days.
I am also pleased that I've lost 25 pounds since I've joined the Vitality program at SCCOE. I appreciate that Vitality
reinforces positive habits by awarding points. On days when it’s raining, cold or when I just want to talk myself out of
walking, I think about how good it feels to have more energy.
Making the diet and exercise changes was not easy. When I was not healthy but the changes were hard to face, I told
myself to "try something, try anything." Just trying something small helped me to gain momentum a little bit at a time.
To stay consistent, I post notes in my home with encouraging messages. I post them on the upper left side of my mirror
and read them each day. Research says that one is most likely to recall the thoughts this way and it works for me. One
thing that I've learned through my health journey is that nothing changes if nothing changes.
Meet Adriana Casas, Supervisor of Classification and Recruitment at Ridder Park
For the past few years, I focused more on school, work and family and less on my health. Even
though I like exercise, I convinced myself that it was not the right time to commit and be
consistent and frankly, the ultimate foodie in me took over. Then, with my new position at
SCCOE came more responsibility and more stress. I could have worked longer and harder to
meet the demands, but, I knew a healthy outlet would be more effective. When I joined Vitality
and completed the health screening, I learned that my blood pressure was borderline high. The
thought of being a young mom with potential health issues motivated me to act fast.
I decided to train for the ten-mile Tough Mudder Tahoe, an obstacle course designed to test physical strength,
endurance and mental grit. Others tried to tell me the race was for “serious athletes,” but watching my husband train
and complete the same race was a big driving force. I moved from exercising once in a while to working out four to five
times per week. It was not easy, but I had support. My husband sets a great example of how to balance career and
family life. He also helps care for the kids so I have time to exercise. The environment at work made a difference too.
Many SCCOE colleagues wear fitness devices, discuss Vitality goals and follow a path of wellness which helps me stay
accountable.
In one year, I completed the ten-mile Tough Mudder Tahoe race as well as my first half marathon. I also lost 30 pounds
and reduced my blood pressure. My life is enriched because I have more energy to do the day-to-day activities that
being a mom of two toddlers requires and the energy to appreciate family, work, the outdoors and things I enjoy in life.
Today I am a foodie with a new mantra: “You have to burn to earn.”
SCCOE encourages you to talk to your doctor before significantly increasing your level of physical activity.
Meet John Oliver, Environmental Education Teacher at Walden West
Ten years ago I was an avid cyclist, riding 100-150 miles a week and completing one or two
century rides (100 miles in one day) each year. Then life happened in the form of a wonderful
baby girl. And then life happened again, and then once again. I found that as my priorities
shifted, my fitness level eroded little by little.
When my kids reached school-age, I noticed I had more time to devote to my physical health.
Two years ago I set a goal to train and complete another century ride. Unfortunately, I fell short
of my goal, completing three rides for 34 miles. And that is where Vitality comes in.
I activated my Vitality account and learned that my “Vitality age” was 10 years older than my actual age, and my health
screening results showed that my health numbers had also declined. That was the kick in the pants I needed to take my
health goals more seriously. With the support of Vitality, I joined a gym and worked on my strength and endurance
indoors during the winter so I could get back to biking long distance in the spring. I set riding goals, which the Vitality
program motivated me to keep. I also improved my nutrition.
I am proud to say that in the past year I have reached a lot of my health goals. This year I rode over 1,600 miles, I
brought my Vitality age back down to my actual age and I lost nearly 30 pounds. I am most proud to share that I
completed another century ride (Tour de Steamboat in Colorado). This was not only my first century ride in over ten
years, but it was by far my longest ride ever (111 miles) with over 7,500 feet of elevation gain and a high point of over
9,500 feet, making it my most difficult ride ever.
I can’t overstate the value of the Vitality program in my personal success. Vitality was a consistent motivator
throughout the year. I’m not sure I would have had the same results without Vitality this past year.
Meet Lydia Cabrera, Applications Systems Analyst at Ridder Park.
Around six months ago, I learned that some of my health numbers were not in a healthy range
and that I might have to start taking medication if I didn’t make lifestyle changes. I was very
upset at the news. I’d always been a regular exerciser and considered myself pretty healthy. I
knew that I did not want to take medication, but wasn’t sure how I was going to manage the
lifestyle changes. There were a lot of people who helped encourage me to follow through with
my doctor’s recommendations. My sister reminded me that my daughter, who has special
needs, really needs me to stay healthy to care for her in the future. This was probably the biggest
motivator for me.
I joined a group who meet for circuit training in the Ridder Park fitness center. This new way of exercising helped to
increase my metabolism, and being part of a group keeps me motivated. Finally, one of my co-workers invited me to join
Weight Watchers. Changing my eating habits has made all the difference. I'm now eating more whole foods and fewer
processed foods. I do not deprive myself and have learned that when there are unhealthy treats around me, I can enjoy
a spoonful, but do not need to have more.
I recently had a follow-up appointment and I shocked my physician. Because I followed her recommendations, I
decreased my cholesterol number by 48 points, lowered my body weight, and will not need medications. My physician
was very happy, and shared that most patients do not follow their doctor’s recommendations. Instead, people typically
opt to take medications which leads them down a road to more health issues.
SCCOE encourages you to talk to your doctor before significantly increasing your level of physical activity.
There is a lot of psychology that plays into making lifestyle changes. It is more than setting a goal: it’s about having a
reason that matters most to you and then believing that you can do it. Taking small steps, one at a time, helps build the
confidence necessary to not just begin to change, but to permanently improve your quality of life.
Meet Kathleen Wollbrinck, Paraeducator, at Oster.
What was my wake-up call? In one year, my brother-in-law died, my good friend became very
sick and my husband had three stents put in to stay alive. I took a good hard look at myself in
the mirror and realized I had never thought of myself as obese or fat, maybe just a little
overweight, until I weighed myself and saw that I was 4'11" and close to 180 pounds. I said to
myself, “My husband didn't marry a 200 pound woman,” and decided I better start to take my
health more seriously. This is what I changed:
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I eat until I am full instead of when my plate is empty. I stop when I am full and save the rest for later.
I stopped eating processed sugars. The Vitality Program website taught me that my body processes natural
sugars easier than it does processed sugars.
I eat whole foods instead of processed foods. Vitality taught me that my body burns more calories when I eat
real food.
I snack on nuts and dried fruit throughout the day. I feel energized, focused and un-deprived.
I MOVE MY BODY more frequently! I stopped the excuses not to exercise and instead I focus on how much
better I feel when I do. I do whatever it takes to work up a sweat. Sometimes I lift canned food at home to
strengthen and increase my metabolism.
The nutritional changes and making time for exercise was hard at first. I was a little hungry but my body overcame that.
I haven't stopped enjoying chips and the occasional desserts, but it is once in a while thing instead of something I eat
often.
Take time to care for yourself now, because you don’t want to be sick for your retirement years. It's amazing the energy
you'll find after you start exercising and eating food that your body can BURN EASILY! It took me a little over a year to
lose 80 pounds. I now weigh 105-110 pounds.
Meet Anthony Brown, Paraeducator, at Ridder Park.
Since I was 16 years old, I've struggled on and off with my weight. Stressful situations made it
hard for me to gain control of that aspect of my life.
However, I've also had some success with my physical health. At one point in my life, I lost over
100 pounds and maintained my weight with regular exercise and a strict eating regimen. I know
what it takes to maintain health, but recently, while my first child was on the way, I found
myself slipping away from healthy habits. I lacked the motivation to exercise, started smoking
more and regained some weight. Then about six months ago, I decided to step up my game and
put into practice all the things that I knew worked for me in the past. I stopped smoking, I
started riding my bike, exercising in the Ridder Park fitness center and monitoring my eating
habits. Since then, I've lost 30 pounds, have a lot more energy and self-respect.
My son, without a doubt, has inspired me to make the lifestyle changes, as I want to be a positive influence in his life.
Since his birth, I have more responsibilities and less time for myself, but I've figured out how to complete an effective
workout in the short time that I have each day. When I exercise, I feel like I can manage daily stress much easier. All
around there are so many benefits. Besides the weight loss and increased resilience to stress, I notice I have a more
positive outlook on life which is more important to me as a person and as a parent. Taking care of myself helps me to be
a better parent, which is my number one purpose in life.
SCCOE encourages you to talk to your doctor before significantly increasing your level of physical activity.
Meet Rachel Ayala, School Office Coordinator, at Snell State Preschool.
Year after year, I talked about wanting to improve my health, but never defined what I was
going to do or how I was going to do it. I was not at a healthy weight, but more than weight
loss, I wanted to feel energetic and enjoy life with my family. Last summer, I met with a
mentor who encouraged me to get real about my health goals before working on any other
personal goals.
I started by making small changes to my diet. I stopped eating fast food, increased the amount
of vegetables in my diet, replaced the white flour/enriched foods with whole grains and worked to eliminate almost all
added sugar from my foods. Over three months I was able to say I followed more or less a "clean" diet, never felt
hungry, lost 17 pounds and felt happy.
This year I achieved health goals, earned big points and began to enjoy how the Vitality program worked to keep me
motivated. I bought myself a Fitbit activity tracker with my points and started to exercise most days of the week.
My family are my biggest supporters. They walked along side me throughout this journey and experienced the same
benefits as I have. One of my sons lost 30 pounds and my husband lost 12 pounds. We've all gained a lot more energy
and an appreciation for nutritious foods, a gift I am so happy to give my children early on in their lives. I have learned
that health is truly our greatest wealth and if you do not make it a priority and define how you will maintain your health,
it will just be all talk with no results.
Meet Kris Lockley, Orientation & Mobility Specialist, at Chandler Tripp.
When SCCOE introduced the Vitality program 3 years ago, I jumped right on board. I figured if
someone wanted to give me incentives to do what I should be doing anyway, I was in! Having
been overweight and out of shape most of my life, I decided that I would take this opportunity
to do something positive for my health, and have received numerous benefits. I’ve taken
advantage of the financial incentives for using my gym membership regularly and at the end of
the last school year, I decided to “cash in” my Vitality points in the Vitality Mall and received
hundreds of dollars of iTunes gift cards which I am still enjoying today.
A much more important benefit, however, is the physical change I have experienced. In October 2012, I finally got
serious about my health and radically changed my eating and exercise habits. I began to eat only highly nutritious foods
and eliminated most snack foods. I joined a new gym, splurged for 20+ sessions with a personal trainer and began to
take some yoga classes. In 14 months, I lost 40 pounds and 5 pant sizes. I have more energy and feel happier at work
and home. I am now learning how to maintain my weight loss by continuing to eat the right foods. While it’s hard to find
time to exercise on some weeks, I know how important it is to work it into a busy schedule.
Meet Kim Brelje, Special Education Teacher, at Anne Darling.
I was motivated to join Vitality when I saw that my Vitality age was more than my actual age,
confirming that I was a certified couch potato. An onsite health screening showed that my
health numbers were not great either. Then my sister asked me to be the matron of honor in
her wedding and the pressure to get healthy was on.
Luckily I had Vitality to help on my fitness journey. I used the Fitbug to track my exercise and
Vitality to reward me for reaching my daily and weekly goals. I pushed myself to achieve
10,000 steps on most days, and soon was able to complete 5K walks with other SCCOE staff on
SCCOE encourages you to talk to your doctor before significantly increasing your level of physical activity.
weekends. I’ve expanded my exercise experiences to jogging, biking and swimming. I can now run for 3 minutes at a
time. It may not seem like a lot, but this is huge for me.
I reduced the size of my pants by two sizes and gained a lot of energy. I don’t plan on going back to being a couch potato
because this feels too good and I am close to buying a bike with Vitality Points this year. My advice to others is to sign
up, get an activity tracker that links with Vitality and choose a reward that interests you. Just get started - if I can do it,
anyone can.
Meet Ruby Parra, Administrative Assistant, Migrant Education at Ridder Park.
I have been trying to improve my health for the past five years with much struggle. Weight
loss is not an easy journey and I used to hate exercise. About three years ago, I joined the
Vitality program which helped define my goals. I started walking twice a day during my
breaks with a group from our department. I soon noticed I felt much better getting fresh air
and activity.
About a year ago, I joined the onsite circuit training class which took my fitness to another
level. The instructor is extremely motivating. It’s funny because I do not always enjoy exercise or feel like working out,
but if I can get to the class or out the door for a walk, I feel much better mentally and physically. I like the saying, “Those
who do not find time for exercise, find time for illness.”
Since I started exercising, I have less stress, I doubled my HDL “good” cholesterol and lost 20 pounds. I also notice when
other people around me get the flu, I don’t. Because I participate in the Vitality program, I earn points when I exercise
and achieve health goals. Recently, I was able to use my Vitality Points to get an iPad mini. Now, my department
nickname is “Sergeant Ruby” because I like to encourage everyone to walk together.
I am grateful that SCCOE has a wellness program like Vitality and for the support from our director to continue walking
daily. I always believed that life is a gift. But now, I demonstrate my gratitude by keeping my body healthy.
Meet Ruby Nevarez, Office Coordinator, Special Education at Ridder Park.
My husband and I would frequently speak of taking control of our lives by eating better and
exercising on a regular basis. So when Vitality came aboard, I was excited because it was exactly
the push and support I needed. I set a goal of walking every day during at least one of my
breaks. I also walk my two dogs, which is always an adventure, and as an added bonus, I get my
exercise done every day.
Changing my eating habits was the most difficult, as I wasn’t used to eating vegetables or fruits
as part of my diet. I realized that it was easier for me if I had them in a smoothie, so that’s what I
started doing, blending all veggies and fruits together. I also started buying and cooking healthier choices. I have more
energy, am happier and I really enjoy what I eat and what I do for exercise.
My husband was so motivated when he started seeing results, and his attitude has been a big support for me. We both
have a busy schedule as we dedicate 70 hours a month to voluntary community service which we love doing, but we also
know that we have to take care of ourselves if we want to help others.
I’m really proud to fit into my old clothes as I have dropped almost 25 pounds. I see that the key to maintaining a
healthy weight is eating better and getting some exercise on a daily basis.
SCCOE encourages you to talk to your doctor before significantly increasing your level of physical activity.
Meet Tracy Kester, Paraeducator, Special Education at Gateway School.
When Vitality was introduced to our classroom staff a few years ago, my coworkers and I
decided to jump on board together. We have different personal goals, but we encourage
each other to make healthy choices. My goals are to focus on maintaining a healthy weight
by improving my food choices and maintaining a regular exercise schedule.
I have a busy schedule. I work two jobs during the week and a third job on Saturdays, both of
which are with special needs children. I also am a single parent and own my own home. With my work schedule, it was
sometimes easy to feed myself and my teenager fast food and skip the exercise. Getting involved with the Vitality
program helped me to stay conscious of my food choices, pushed me to go to the gym at least three days a week and
encouraged me to strive for 10,000 steps each day.
In the last year, many coworkers from Gateway participated in several 5K Walk/Run events. I typically walk these events,
but in the last one I participated in I was able to jog and walk. It felt great to see the progress and reduce my time.
It's not always easy to make time for the gym and cooking healthy meals when your schedule is hectic, but I have more
energy when I do. Staying positive and making healthy choices help me to feel more balanced. I realize now that taking
time to take care of myself makes a huge difference. It makes work and life more fun even when it feels very busy.
Read about Ericka Chagolla, Head Start Family Advocate, at Los Arboles.
I’ve always battled to control my weight. After having my last child, I noticed my weight
increasing and my clothes fitting tighter. I made excuses in order to feel better. I was in
denial.
Last year our annual family photo was the big trigger for me. I realized I was heavier than I
had ever been. I knew I had to make some lifestyle changes for myself and my children. I
joined Weight Watchers and reactivated my Vitality program account. Weight Watchers is teaching me how to eat
healthier and control my food portions. Vitality is giving me the extra motivation to stick with my plan. I use the
MapMyFitness application and receive Vitality Points each time I burn 200 calories on my walks. I also earn Vitality
Points when I reach a short-term weight loss goal.
This is just the beginning of my health journey. Little by little I am accomplishing my personal goals. I’ve lost 10% of my
body weight and feel great. I went from doing little to no exercise to hiking four to six days a week during my lunch
break at Communication Hill.
I’ve tried previously to lose weight and had joined Vitality but, I did not follow through because I was not in the right
mindset. This year I was motivated to adopt a healthy lifestyle so I could feel better about myself and enjoy my life. At
the same time, I enjoy the extra challenge of working towards the Vitality weight management rebate for my weight loss
and exercise.
Meet Sandy Janisch, Paraducator, at Gateway School.
Common definition of Vitality: Vitality – noun. 1: The property distinguishing the living from
the non-living. 2: Mental and physical vigor.
My personal definition of Vitality: Vitality – noun. 1: Motivation 2: Encouragement. 3: Health
and wellness!
SCCOE encourages you to talk to your doctor before significantly increasing your level of physical activity.
Since joining the Vitality program, I have been so motivated to be healthy. Walking every day was always a part of my
life, but now I do that AND workout EVERYDAY, even most weekends. 5K walk/runs are now common place to me,
which I never would have even thought of doing before Vitality. My co-workers and I all have Fitbugs (a pocket-sized
device which monitors activity) and enjoy spending time walking together and encouraging each other to reach 10,000
steps a day. Sometimes we push each other to do even more! My Fitbug is the real motivator. I get concrete proof that I
am achieving my goals and it really makes it more fun.
Feeling healthy is invigorating and losing weight isn't half bad either. Vitality has changed my life!
Meet Juliyeth Chea, Administrative Assistant for Head Start, at Ridder Park.
I once considered myself a very sick person. I lived with hypertension, high cholesterol, and
diabetes. They were managed with medications, but I felt tired and had pain and tension. I
gained a little weight each year, which did not help these conditions. My physician reminded me
exercise is very important. I had never exercised before. I did not know where to start and did
not see myself as someone who had time or would enjoy it.
About two years ago I started slowing walking on the treadmill in the Ridder Park Fitness Center.
I built up to nearly every day during my breaks. Little by little, I noticed I sleep better and feel more energetic. I
maintained my weight and had less pain. Most of all, I enjoyed not taking as much medication and experiencing less
symptoms.
Recently I joined a gym to use their pool, but found it was too crowded after work. I rearranged my schedule to now
wake up at 4:00 a.m. so I can get in a full hour of swimming before work. It has increased my fitness level and helps me
feel stronger. I also started hiking on the weekends. I am doing things I never thought I could do, and am experiencing
confidence. I enjoy life in a whole new way and I don’t feel like such a sick person anymore. It is almost too hard for me
to describe how important this change has made in my life. I made these changes because of my health and I had a lot of
encouragement along the way from our department Wellness Champion.
Meet Hollis Kinner, Paraducator, at Erikson School.
I decided 2012 was going to be the year I took accountability to improve my health and wellbeing. I was tired of 'talking' about losing weight and 'talking' about quitting smoking; it was
time to take action, so I did.
My main goal was to lose 40 pounds I had gained while working a previous desk job. It took
hard work, dedication, increasing my exercise, eating more fruits and veggies, eliminating fast
and processed foods, and eating smaller-regular meals (to name a few changes). I also counted
99 percent of my calories.
Over the course of 2012 I lost a total of 56 pounds, four sizes, and dropped my cholesterol by 30 plus points. I work out
at least once a day, and I have developed a strong affinity for running. In 20 continuous weeks I have run 337 miles! I am
now completely tobacco free. I have tons of energy and I feel good about myself, both physically and mentally. I truly
feel accomplished, although I am still a work in progress. I maintained the weight loss for most of the year and decided
to go for another 15 pounds and was successful. The SCCOE wellness program has encouraged me to stay the course! I
tell all my friends that if I can devote myself to my health, then truly anyone has the strength to do the same! It's been
"mind over matter!" One day at a time; it can be done!
SCCOE encourages you to talk to your doctor before significantly increasing your level of physical activity.
Meet Sam Samarita, Paraducator, at Ley Va Middle School.
Two years ago, I found out about the Vitality program at SCCOE (a wellness benefit for COE
staff). It was around the same time that my doctor strongly suggested I make some lifestyle
changes, because all my health numbers were out of range. My diabetes was out of control. I
was smoking, over stressed, and made no time for physical activity in my life. When I took the
Vitality HRA (health risk assessment), the results confirmed what my physician said.
I decided to start an indoor walking DVD that my physician gave me. Soon after, I joined the
health club near my worksite. I started off slow, but stayed consistent. I made small changes to my diet to include more
fresh foods and healthy snacks. Fast food is no longer a regular stop for my breakfast or snack. Over the course of a
year, I stopped smoking, lost 16 pounds, and maintained healthy blood glucose levels! Keeping consistent with my
exercise and staying away from triggers that made me want to smoke was the key. Today, two years later, I am not
smoking, maintaining a healthier weight, walking my dog every day, and have encouraged my co-workers to walk. On
days when we can’t go outside, we (students and teachers) follow the indoor walking video. Overall, I feel more
confident, a lot less stressed, and happy about where I am today in my life.
Meet Da Wei Teh, Applications Support Specialist, at Ridder Park.
I want to thank Tricia Zamora, SCCOE Wellness Specialist and the COE for the
complementary health screening in November. I may appear healthy on the outside, but I
have some of the worst eating and exercise habits. It was not a surprise to me when my
screening showed I had high bad cholesterol and low good cholesterol. The wellness
specialist recommended I watch what I eat and start exercising.
After receiving the news, I bought a pull up and leg up set for home and have been using
it every day and my wife and I walk four to five times a week for two or more miles. My weight gain is now more muscle
mass. I feel great, have a lot more energy and although it looks like my plate is big and full, I usually have a bunch of
salad piled under other good stuff to trick my brain. My goal is to focus on my cholesterol numbers and get them at the
correct levels by January. I think this is a reachable and maintainable goal. My motivation is my baby girl who will be
born in January
SCCOE encourages you to talk to your doctor before significantly increasing your level of physical activity.