New Year, New You: Week 1

The total number of participants in the New You, New Year Challenge 2008 is 738. We have 39 businesses participating. There are 15 in the big-business category and 24 in the small-businesses category. Congratulations to the small-business winner Mid-Life Crisis team, which is a sub-team of the Anne Carlsen Center. The Mid-Life Crisis Team earned an average of 107 points per member. The big business category had a tie. The winners are Goodrich and the NDFU Farmers Union Fusion, which each had a team average of 52 points. We will have prize amounts calculated next week.

The Wellness Challenge for this current week is take time to deal with stress. Participants earn two points per day for participating in 10 minutes of stress management. Do some deep breathing, meditation, yoga, muscle relaxation or get a massage. Uncontrolled stress can lead to a release of the stress hormones that contribute to high blood pressure, gastric/digestive problems, overeating, anxiety and depression. We can not always eliminate the stress in our lives, but we can learn how to manage it better. Take steps today to reduce your stress levels.

Next week is to watch your consumption of “junk” snacks and sugary drinks. Studies have shown that consuming liquid calories in the form of pop, juice, sports drinks, and such does not “register” in the brain as calories. Therefore, people do not adjust their caloric intake based on consumption of sugary drinks. Choose low fat dairy, (which the body does recognize as calories plus you get much needed calcium) or drink water in lieu of sugary drinks or diet drinks. Earn two points per day by drinking water and limiting yourself to one 12-ounce serving of a sugary drink or diet drinks (including diet pop).

Weight Loss Tips for the week:

* To eat smaller portions, use a small plate, small glass and don’t put bowls of food on the table.

* To monitor portion sizes, use measuring cups, and read your food labels.

* Continue to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

* When you “Eat Out, Choose Smart”!

The T-shirts are being made and should be ready for distribution by Feb. 9. A great big thank you to North Dakota Farmers Union for their generous support again this year!

(Walter is the wellness coordinator at Jamestown Hospital)

Tags: health, challenge, jamestown, community