Hietza Santiago-Alvarado used to work out 25 minutes a day three to four times a week. Now she works out a minimum of one hour six to seven days a week.

DPH employee Hietza Santiago-Alvarado's weight loss journey has been a very personal one.

 

When the bioterrorism and molecular biology manager joined DPH's Holiday Survivor Challenge, it wasn't about fitting into a pair of skinny jeans. It was about preparing herself to start a family.  

 

"I have had unexplained infertility for more than six years," said Santiago-Alvarado "We are getting ready to start a major fertility treatment that requires me to be in the best shape possible due to the possibility of multiples. Carrying multiples has more risks associated with premature delivery. By being overweight this increases drastically."

 

Santiago-Alvarado said her doctor recommended she drop at least 20 pounds before beginning treatment.

 

Santiago-Alvarado and her team, L.I.T.E. Angels, consisting of other Georgia Public Health Laboratory workers, developed the team's name to strongly suggest their focus to drop the heavy pounds or anything holding them back from reaching their health and wellness goals.

 

Though she tackles tough bioterriosm issues with great ease on a day-to-day basis, losing weight is not as easy. However, Santiago-Alvarado was motivated by teammates to reach her goal by restructuring what and when she eats.

 

"I love to eat even when I am not hungry," she said. "I am more conscious now of the health risks associated with unhealthy eating habits and have made significant changes, especially on portion control. I have made a habit of not eating dinner after 8 p.m. and that not only helped me to lose the weight but also to sleep better and completely eliminated my chronic heartburn."

 

Santiago-Alvarado is now closer to her ideal weight to start fertility treatment after losing almost 16 pounds.

 

"I have lost 15.6 pounds and have dropped two dress sizes," stated Santiago-Alvarado. "My eating habits have changed drastically. I just eat smaller portions, not fried food, less sugar and nothing after 8 p.m. I used to work out for 25 minutes a day three to four times a week and now I do a minimum of an hour six to seven days a week."

 

The L.I.T.E Angels' hard work paid off, as they were named the Holiday Survivor Challenge's winning team Jan. 24 during a ceremony with DPH Commissioner Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald. Santiago-Alvarado was third runner up in the individual progress category.

 

"I have to say that this has been a very fulfilling experience for all of us, where we all came together and worked towards the same goal," said Santiago-Alvarado. "The L.I.T.E. Angels is a group of very motivated and happy people who have helped me tremendously to reach my goals."

 

The L.I.T.E. Angels lost 6.44 percent of weight or 65.8 pounds. Santiago-Alvarado lost 15.6 pounds or 9.34 percent of body weight, moving closer to her goal of losing 20 pounds to start fertility treatment. She started the challenge weighing 167 pounds and now weighs 151.4 pounds.

 

"I am planning on doing my treatment this year and I couldn't be happier with the results," she said.

 

Worksite wellness coordinator Susanne Koch is pleased with the outcomes of each team and individual.

 

"It's great to be able to get through the holidays and not gain weight, which most all of our participants were able to do," said Koch. "But what is amazing were those who were able to stay focused and make huge weight losses during the holidays, that's awesome. I hope that if nothing else, participants were able to be more aware of the choices they are making before they put something in their mouth or forgo physical activity."

 

The DPH Holiday Survivor Challenge Results

 

Team Winners:

1. L.I.T.E. Angels, 6.44% (65.8 pounds lost)

2. Untouchable, 5.50% (42.1 pounds lost)

3. Jewels, 4.73% (47 pounds lost)

 

Top Individual Winner:

Overall Winner: Patricia Bennie, 11.67% (19 pounds lost) 

 

Top 3 Individual Runners Up:

1. Kim Kilgour, 11.35% (20.8 pounds lost) 

2. Martina Rowe, 9.63% (24.5 pounds lost) 

3. Hietza Santiago-Alvarado, 9.34% (15.6 pounds lost)

 

-Story by Connie F. Smith, DPH Communications