Support the American Heart Walk
LaTonya M. Baldwin (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan participant)
It’s been too long since I’ve last blogged. While I haven’t been blogging, I have been walking. Participating with Walkingspree has lead to me taking on more challenges. I’m currently using the Couch to 5k program in preparation for our local American Heart Association Walk to be held in Detroit on May 12th. I’m running because I can. I’m running to encourage others to commit to improving their own health and the health of others.
Because I’ve been walking, I have improved my cardiovascular health. I am stronger, healthier and more confident. Thanks to many of my new friends at Walkingspree, I’ve opted to seek out more ways to exercise and enjoy good health.
On Saturday, the 12th, I am running in honor of my cousin, Michael Wilson, Jr. He was an amazing man. Michael encouraged his friends and family to live well. He trained hard daily, ate well and he believed we all could make a difference. He supported everyone he knew to give their best to themselves and others. His mantra was: “What have you done to make a difference today?”
I lost my cousin in May 2010. That same year I had knee surgery. After surgery I was afraid to run. But fear lost. Mikey believed in me so I chose to do the same. I’ve pushed myself to do more, live now.
Bikini Body Workout
Allison Stringer (kCura participant)
Today, we started a club at work called “Bikini Body Buddies.” This group comprises of women only, who want to get their bodies ready for summer and to become healthier individuals. Starting soon, we will be running once a week together as a team. As a Bikini Body Buddy member, we will be utilizing the pedometers to keep track of our aerobic and total number of steps we will achieve during our workouts. During each workout session, we hope to increase our stepping. Our first workout goal is to hit 2,000 steps, which is equal to one mile. We are going to motivate each other to get what we individually believe to be the perfect bikini bod for the summer of 2012.
I am so excited to join this group. I have been struggling to get to the gym each night and I could not be any happier that we have started this group at work. Not only will I get my work accomplished, but I will knock off the exercise part as well!
Work wellness is very important. Some men and women do not have time to get to the gym to work out, so lunch hour or after hours runs are a great idea to promote wellness in the workplace. If it is too difficult to get to the gym before or after work, what is better than a lunch walk or jog?
I hope that my fellow bloggers read this and it inspires them to start a “Bikini Body Buddies” group at their worksite! Summer is upon us.
I found 15 minutes a day for 12 weeks work out to prepare your body for summer. I have started doing these and it is a fantastic cardio workout, and it’s only 15 minutes!
http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/sexier-summer-12-week-beach-body-workout-plan
CSA – Scavenger Hunt Photo’s Weeks 1 – 2
CSA has created a Scavenger Hunt game to get their employees out and walking. Participants are given a bi-weekly list of 10 items to find. To prove they found the items, they must provide a photo of the item with themselves and/or their pedometer in the photo. How fun is that!
Scavenger Items for weeks 1-2:
Mailbox, Bike, Stop Sign, Basketball Hoop, Swing Set, Wawa, Park Bench, School, Restaurant, Bus Stop.
More Photo’s keep pouring in. Here is the latest batch that was submitted on Wednesday, 4/25!
Our First round of images are ready to view! CSA is off to a great start with photos of the scavenger items they’ve found so far!
Working Out Is Hard to Do
Allison Stringer (kCura participant)
How many people have said to themselves that they are too tired to workout or hungry? I know I have many times and I end up skipping the workout. One thing I have discovered lately about myself is that, if I do workout, I DO NOT regret it. If I eat something heavy instead of going to the gym, I regret not doing some kind of physical activity for the day.
If you are new to walking or even running, set goals that are easy to obtain for a few weeks and then gradually start making them harder. Never set a goal you can not reach, at least in the beginning.
Doing a 15 minute work out, such as a short walk or push ups off the side of your counter top (I know it sounds silly) for 5 minute each night makes a difference. You may be thinking, “Five minutes a day? What will that even do?” Remember, what is important is that you are moving your body, even if it is for a short time.
For ideas on short exercises for beginners, check out my blog next week! I will list several ideas that are fun and will fit into your work schedule.
Here is a picture of one of my favorite quotes to get my fellow readers motivated!
An Exercise for Love
LaTonya M. Baldwin (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan participant)
Not long ago, my guy sat me down for a serious talk. He asked me how much do I love him, do I love him enough to get serious about my health. He said he was fed up with my failure to consistently take my meds. He said when he was diagnosed with diabetes, he took action. He lost weight, started measuring and tracking his carbs and he significantly reduced the sugar in his diet. He asked me what would I think if he took a spoonful of sugar and poured it over his food. Of course I said I’d be alarmed and I’d ask him what was he doing.
That’s when he hit hard with my behavior. He said I’ve known for years I should be taking iron, that I have blood pressure medication that I fail to take on a regular basis, that I will add salt to my food when I know better. He asked me would it be fair of him to be irresponsible with his health? How would I feel if I lost him because of his attitude and behavior about his health?
Do you love your family enough to take charge of your health? Do you love them enough to get serious about doing the things you need to do to extend the time you have together?
I felt pretty guilty. I was upset. I felt ashamed of the contradiction in my behavior: walking, talking the talk about exercise and eating well but failing to commit to the other factors of my health. Exercising is not enough. Eating well is fine but it doesn’t excuse not taking medication I need. It doesn’t excuse not having regular check-ups or screenings I need to monitor my overall health.
So I got serious. I recently signed on for Healthy Living Blue Rewards. I currently meet three of the criteria and come March after my exam, I’m hoping I meet all five. I completed the online health assessment courses and currently working on the digital coaching. I made an appointment with my doctor to complete my qualification form. I’m completing the Blues Point reward program.
Yesterday, I bought a blood pressure monitor and since my talk with my mate, I have taken my blood pressure medication and iron supplement every day. I started Zumba last week. Can I tell you how good it felt to measure my blood pressure and see my numbers were good? This morning when I took my readings, I realized that monitoring and tracking felt natural because for more than twelve weeks now, I’ve been walking, tracking and uploading my numbers.
Thank you Walkingspree for helping me establish a habit of monitoring my behavior and activity.
Do you love your family enough to take charge of your health? Do you love them enough to get serious about doing the things you need to do to extend the time you have together?
Be well.
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