No, not until Christmas although I am in a house with two small children and that countdown is on too... I am more excited for the Winter Solstice. You see, beginning after December 21 (or the first official day of winter), our days will start to get longer again.
Until then, we try to keep the energy up! Moving keep us warm, right?
The JFA Worksite Wellness Team shares stories, tips and information about living well, or doing the best they can, while balancing life and working as worksite wellness professionals.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
2013 Arc in the Park!
On September 21, 2013, JFAHELP had the opportunity to participate in the 4th Annual Arc in the Park. To read a bit about the 2012 event, click here. This year the run/walk was moved to a Saturday and also moved to September from October. The weather did not disappoint. It was a bit windy but otherwise beautiful!
Coach Cassy, fellow JFA coworker Cheryl, and I arrived around 9 AM --- plenty early for the scheduled 10 AM start. We picked up our bibs, grabbed some water, visited with Arc staff, and took a few pictures.
The kids run, scheduled for 9:30, kicked off about 9:35. I'd love to see more kids take advantage of this great event! My little one was unable to make it this year because of a scheduling conflict but we'll make sure to schedule better in 2014. Kudos to those who did participate. They were flying!
The 5K run, walk, and roll started shortly after 10 after a brief welcome from the Executive Director followed by a keynote kickoff from Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino. Then we took off!
I went into this run with absolutely no technology on me. No Garmin, no phone, not even a watch. Cassy and I ran together; definitely faster than my comfort zone. We ran and ran and ran. Then we ran some more. Down a few gradual descents, up a few gradual climbs. We were still running! With no timing accessory on me whatsoever, I had no idea how long or how far we had gone.
As it turns out, most of us missed a U-turn and ran an extra kilometer. It was a new course and I certainly hadn't reviewed it as closely as I should have. Lesson learned! I can't really complain though - this little detour was minor compared to others. So we ran until we saw the finish line! It was a small field (again, this event should grow) so we both took home prizes for placing in our respective age groups. Small field or not, it's always nice. Thanks to the unique distance our impromptu detour created, I now have a 6K distance personal best of 32:32! I also learned that I can push myself to go a bit faster than I had been. I've been working to improve my speed since the spring and every once in a while, going all out during an event like this is just the push I need.
Whatever the distance, we were all smiles at the finish. Every finisher was rewarded with another great goody bag and enjoyed fruit and water at the finish. We will be back again next year for sure - defending our titles!
Coach Cassy, fellow JFA coworker Cheryl, and I arrived around 9 AM --- plenty early for the scheduled 10 AM start. We picked up our bibs, grabbed some water, visited with Arc staff, and took a few pictures.
The kids run, scheduled for 9:30, kicked off about 9:35. I'd love to see more kids take advantage of this great event! My little one was unable to make it this year because of a scheduling conflict but we'll make sure to schedule better in 2014. Kudos to those who did participate. They were flying!
The 5K run, walk, and roll started shortly after 10 after a brief welcome from the Executive Director followed by a keynote kickoff from Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino. Then we took off!
I went into this run with absolutely no technology on me. No Garmin, no phone, not even a watch. Cassy and I ran together; definitely faster than my comfort zone. We ran and ran and ran. Then we ran some more. Down a few gradual descents, up a few gradual climbs. We were still running! With no timing accessory on me whatsoever, I had no idea how long or how far we had gone.
As it turns out, most of us missed a U-turn and ran an extra kilometer. It was a new course and I certainly hadn't reviewed it as closely as I should have. Lesson learned! I can't really complain though - this little detour was minor compared to others. So we ran until we saw the finish line! It was a small field (again, this event should grow) so we both took home prizes for placing in our respective age groups. Small field or not, it's always nice. Thanks to the unique distance our impromptu detour created, I now have a 6K distance personal best of 32:32! I also learned that I can push myself to go a bit faster than I had been. I've been working to improve my speed since the spring and every once in a while, going all out during an event like this is just the push I need.
Whatever the distance, we were all smiles at the finish. Every finisher was rewarded with another great goody bag and enjoyed fruit and water at the finish. We will be back again next year for sure - defending our titles!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
AUGUST!
Last night I was driving home from the store and was taken aback at how dark it was... at 8:30. The days will only get shorter until December and that first realization that the upstate NY summer is ending is always the most depressing to me. I've been wearing a jacket to work in the mornings. August is here and it hasn't been the dog days of summer rather, it is a preview of autumn. After our 2 weeks of oppressively hot weather, we seem to have settled in to this cooler in the morning, comfortable during the day climate.
I love summer. I love the heat, the long stretches of daylight, the children playing in the yard, and the outdoor activities. On a personal note - it's triathlon racing season. My season opened this year with the Cooperstown Sprint triathlon (turned duathlon: run/bike/run due to the cold water and 40 degree air temperature) on Memorial Day weekend and it will end on August 24th in Sandestin, Florida. It has been quite a busy few months!
JFA hosted our annual Hospitality Tent at the CDPHP Workforce team challenge. It was amazing to see so many people at different levels of ability (9000!) out running and walking the 3.5 mile course. I love hearing people's reactions at the finish - their pleasure in pride in the accomplishment - there is often a visible strut and that's awesome!
So once you've trained for and completed that first event, how do you keep going?
Husband and I have found a groove as far as exercise goes. He gets Monday night, I get Tuesday, Wednesday is a toss up, we both have Thursday as my sister keeps the kids so we can swim a local lake together, and Friday's is who ever didn't get to go on Wednesday. On weekends, we take turns with the children. It seems to be working - we get more than our recommended minutes of activity in, and adequate "rest" at the same time.
We have settled into a pretty good zone food and nutrition wise as well. I take the kids to the grocery store and we stock up for home-cooked meals. Occasionally we turn to convenience foods (oven baked pizza for example) for those nights that are just too hectic.
Colder weather means that it will all change. Husband's Monday group bike rides will end, as will our Thursday night swims. We will have to find a new groove. But, in the world of wellness, it's about accepting and adapting to circumstances in order to embrace the lifestyle. Maybe I'll invest in a pair of snowshoes.
I love summer. I love the heat, the long stretches of daylight, the children playing in the yard, and the outdoor activities. On a personal note - it's triathlon racing season. My season opened this year with the Cooperstown Sprint triathlon (turned duathlon: run/bike/run due to the cold water and 40 degree air temperature) on Memorial Day weekend and it will end on August 24th in Sandestin, Florida. It has been quite a busy few months!
JFA hosted our annual Hospitality Tent at the CDPHP Workforce team challenge. It was amazing to see so many people at different levels of ability (9000!) out running and walking the 3.5 mile course. I love hearing people's reactions at the finish - their pleasure in pride in the accomplishment - there is often a visible strut and that's awesome!
So once you've trained for and completed that first event, how do you keep going?
Husband and I have found a groove as far as exercise goes. He gets Monday night, I get Tuesday, Wednesday is a toss up, we both have Thursday as my sister keeps the kids so we can swim a local lake together, and Friday's is who ever didn't get to go on Wednesday. On weekends, we take turns with the children. It seems to be working - we get more than our recommended minutes of activity in, and adequate "rest" at the same time.
We have settled into a pretty good zone food and nutrition wise as well. I take the kids to the grocery store and we stock up for home-cooked meals. Occasionally we turn to convenience foods (oven baked pizza for example) for those nights that are just too hectic.
Colder weather means that it will all change. Husband's Monday group bike rides will end, as will our Thursday night swims. We will have to find a new groove. But, in the world of wellness, it's about accepting and adapting to circumstances in order to embrace the lifestyle. Maybe I'll invest in a pair of snowshoes.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Forever the Student
This weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Philadelphia and participate in the National Wellness Institute's Certified Worksite Wellness Specialist training and certification course. We made this a family weekend - husband and the girls played tourist while I was in class - and we met up in the evening for dinner and a nice walk in Center City.
I found the course very valuable, especially because it started some creative thinking and I have exciting new ideas for our programs here at JFA. It also reinforced what I have learned during the past 4 years at JFAHELP and reaffirmed that we are leaders in worksite wellness! Of course, as I am forever the student, there is room to grow in this ever evolving field and classes like this one will allow me to do just that.
So what did the family do? On Saturday they went to the Academy of Natural Sciences Museum so that my 5 year old could see dinosaur bones as she politely requested. On Sunday they went to the Franklin Institute so that my husband could see the planetarium. A good time was had by all and the weekend was educational for each of us!
In case you were wondering... I passed the exam.
I found the course very valuable, especially because it started some creative thinking and I have exciting new ideas for our programs here at JFA. It also reinforced what I have learned during the past 4 years at JFAHELP and reaffirmed that we are leaders in worksite wellness! Of course, as I am forever the student, there is room to grow in this ever evolving field and classes like this one will allow me to do just that.
So what did the family do? On Saturday they went to the Academy of Natural Sciences Museum so that my 5 year old could see dinosaur bones as she politely requested. On Sunday they went to the Franklin Institute so that my husband could see the planetarium. A good time was had by all and the weekend was educational for each of us!
In case you were wondering... I passed the exam.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
It's National Walk at Lunch Day and Spring is in the Air!
I was positively giddy this morning when I checked the weather report on my phone and the predicted high temperature was 71 degrees. 71! Currently it's 59 which is still quite palatable for a community that has been through a cold upstate New York winter. Last night I went out for a run after work and the weather was so perfect that I did not want to stop.
Today, in addition to being a beautiful day, is National Walk at Lunch Day!!! (Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies established the National Walk@Lunch Day to help people incorporate physical activity into their day by encouraging them to walk at lunch. National Walk@Lunch Day is a component of WalkingWorks®, a Blue company program developed in 2002 with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.)
I like this concept. Even if it's just a 10 minute walk, your body still benefits; you get fresh air, improve fitness, and recharge. A Swedish study showed that "it is possible to use work time for exercise or other health-promoting measures and still attain the same or higher production levels". Taking a few minutes out of your lunchtime to get in a brisk walk is a great way to start to build activity into your day - especially if you are typically inactive as many people will list "lack of time" as a reason for not getting any physical activity. So get out there and enjoy this beautiful spring day!
Today, in addition to being a beautiful day, is National Walk at Lunch Day!!! (Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies established the National Walk@Lunch Day to help people incorporate physical activity into their day by encouraging them to walk at lunch. National Walk@Lunch Day is a component of WalkingWorks®, a Blue company program developed in 2002 with the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.)
I like this concept. Even if it's just a 10 minute walk, your body still benefits; you get fresh air, improve fitness, and recharge. A Swedish study showed that "it is possible to use work time for exercise or other health-promoting measures and still attain the same or higher production levels". Taking a few minutes out of your lunchtime to get in a brisk walk is a great way to start to build activity into your day - especially if you are typically inactive as many people will list "lack of time" as a reason for not getting any physical activity. So get out there and enjoy this beautiful spring day!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Stages of Change - Action and Maintenance
Husband and I have been in our parenting class for 5 and 4 weeks, respectively. I missed the first class caring for a sick child. It has been an interesting journey. Each parent is there for a different reason: petiitioning for custody, court order (who knew?), personal growth, and family harmony. We are there for personal growth and family harmony.
The class has definitely been beneficial. Sometimes, it reinforces what I am already doing and builds my confidence as a parent. Other times, it helps coach me to deal with situations differently for a more positive and productive outcome. My husband is having similar "a-ha" moments - and we are also learning new ways to communicate with each other (family harmony).
The key word last week was "cooperation". I use that word a lot when dealing with our soon-to-be 5 year old. Admittedly, she is more inclined to cooperate when she feels she has options (or the illusion of options as the case may be). Who can blame her? Don't we all like to think we have choices?
Two sessions remain and then we will be responsible to continue our growth on our own.
The class has definitely been beneficial. Sometimes, it reinforces what I am already doing and builds my confidence as a parent. Other times, it helps coach me to deal with situations differently for a more positive and productive outcome. My husband is having similar "a-ha" moments - and we are also learning new ways to communicate with each other (family harmony).
The key word last week was "cooperation". I use that word a lot when dealing with our soon-to-be 5 year old. Admittedly, she is more inclined to cooperate when she feels she has options (or the illusion of options as the case may be). Who can blame her? Don't we all like to think we have choices?
Two sessions remain and then we will be responsible to continue our growth on our own.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Stages of Change - Preparation and Action
According to a survey conducted by Franklin Covey, 23% of New Years Resolutions are kept. 33% of respondents said that they are not committed to the resolutions they made. This commitment must be there if any lasting change is to be made. It is seen time and again ($61 Billion weight loss market). People vow to lose weight, exercise more, and stop smoking. Others want to get out of debt - and then they see something they want. It takes a strong resolve to stick to change. I'm not saying willpower, per se, but more of a decision of the course that one wishes to take.
Enter the transtheoretical model of change. I can usually tell you a person's likelihood of reaching a goal or sticking with a behavior change in the course of a 10 minute conversation... sometimes 2 minutes. It all has to do with which "stage of change" someone is in. That, and their motivation. Not the degree of motivation rather, the source. Most people stay in the Contemplation stage. They think about making a change. They know they should make a change. They think about the steps they may take to make a change. It takes just a little extra motivation - a level of commitment - to transition to the Preparation stage. For example, a dieter who starts researching different plans or someone who wants to start exercising who starts to look at fitness center locations and pricing.
I found this illustration too (www.engenderhealth.org) - which I think is awesome.
Last week I wrote about my desire to become a better parent. Specifically, I need to learn how to handle my spirited pre-schooler without losing my cool. My motivation? I feel like scum when I lose my temper andscream raise my voice. I want to be a better mother and feel like a better person for myself. My children will have enough to grapple with between puberty, high school, early adulthood, that mommy issues do not need to be heaped on top.
So I am in the Preparation stage right now. I had been thinking about finding a parenting class for a while. I decided to look at the schedule of classes at our local YMCA (checking out what is offered during my daughter's dance class) and I discovered that they offer a FREE parenting class. So, I signed husband and myself up for the first session of the year. We will meet on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM.
This means that tomorrow night at 6:30, I will officially be in the ACTION stage!
Enter the transtheoretical model of change. I can usually tell you a person's likelihood of reaching a goal or sticking with a behavior change in the course of a 10 minute conversation... sometimes 2 minutes. It all has to do with which "stage of change" someone is in. That, and their motivation. Not the degree of motivation rather, the source. Most people stay in the Contemplation stage. They think about making a change. They know they should make a change. They think about the steps they may take to make a change. It takes just a little extra motivation - a level of commitment - to transition to the Preparation stage. For example, a dieter who starts researching different plans or someone who wants to start exercising who starts to look at fitness center locations and pricing.
 |
| Stages of Change: Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance |
Last week I wrote about my desire to become a better parent. Specifically, I need to learn how to handle my spirited pre-schooler without losing my cool. My motivation? I feel like scum when I lose my temper and
So I am in the Preparation stage right now. I had been thinking about finding a parenting class for a while. I decided to look at the schedule of classes at our local YMCA (checking out what is offered during my daughter's dance class) and I discovered that they offer a FREE parenting class. So, I signed husband and myself up for the first session of the year. We will meet on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM.
This means that tomorrow night at 6:30, I will officially be in the ACTION stage!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Happy New Year!
What a year! 2012 has been full of opportunities and there were also some disappointments. Keeping mind that setbacks are an opportunity for growth, that's not such a bad thing.
Here is a new year - people around the world are setting goals and are excited about finally keeping their New Years Resolutions. I have some goals for 2013 but I think the most important one is to be more patient with my soon to be 5 year old. She is a pistol! I've mentioned losing my patience with her in past posts and, while I've gotten better, it still wears thin sometimes. I have other goals: physical, emotional, and faith based. Still, I think that my children's development should be my top priority. I have to improve myself in all those categories to be the best mom I can be. I will still flounder sometimes. I will raise my voice. I will sigh in exasperation. I will need a time out or two. Regardless, I will continue to try to offer a supportive environment where both girls can grow into confident, self assured, vibrant, and spirited young women.
Over the holiday season I've kept quiet, reserving the time to reflect on the past year and taking time for myself to marvel at the season through the eyes of my two small children. I held them closely as devastating news broke - more than once. I vowed that my girls would never go to school without hearing how much I love them. I quietly waited for the Mayan Calendar's 12-21 "prediction" to pass. I cooked Christmas dinner (lasagna and it was delicious). I made my black eyed peas, collard greens, and ham for New Years Day (also delicious...and healthy!).
So here we are. A new year. A resolve to be a better person. An opportunity to make it great.
Here is a new year - people around the world are setting goals and are excited about finally keeping their New Years Resolutions. I have some goals for 2013 but I think the most important one is to be more patient with my soon to be 5 year old. She is a pistol! I've mentioned losing my patience with her in past posts and, while I've gotten better, it still wears thin sometimes. I have other goals: physical, emotional, and faith based. Still, I think that my children's development should be my top priority. I have to improve myself in all those categories to be the best mom I can be. I will still flounder sometimes. I will raise my voice. I will sigh in exasperation. I will need a time out or two. Regardless, I will continue to try to offer a supportive environment where both girls can grow into confident, self assured, vibrant, and spirited young women.
Over the holiday season I've kept quiet, reserving the time to reflect on the past year and taking time for myself to marvel at the season through the eyes of my two small children. I held them closely as devastating news broke - more than once. I vowed that my girls would never go to school without hearing how much I love them. I quietly waited for the Mayan Calendar's 12-21 "prediction" to pass. I cooked Christmas dinner (lasagna and it was delicious). I made my black eyed peas, collard greens, and ham for New Years Day (also delicious...and healthy!).
So here we are. A new year. A resolve to be a better person. An opportunity to make it great.
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