September 2010

Germaine Paape loves taking walks with her husband Lester (Jag Outdoor Advertising - Pool 4) on the Ahnapee trail while working towards her daily 5000 step goal.

Lester and Germaine Paape started out as high school sweethearts and continue to maintain a strong bond which carries over into their joint effort to live long, healthy lives.  Working together as a team, Germaine and Lester have both achieved over 240 days of 5000 steps since January 1st, 2010.

This couple decided they wanted to be healthy and the Healthy lifestyles program helped them to make it happen.  What motivates Germaine, "I want to see our 4th generation and I want to dance with my grandsons at their wedding" says Germaine.

In the beginning it was not easy.  Germaine would ride her stationary bike for 20-30 minutes a day but struggled to reach her 5000 step daily goal. However she continued to push herself and began walking on a treadmill for an hour each day. She now consistently reaches her daily goal of 5,000 steps and is working toward hitting 10,000 steps.

Germaine and Lester are an enduring example of what one can achieve with motivation, support, and determination.

August 2010

Gene Wellenstein a Pool 4 employee from Wright Industrial, sets goals, beats them and drives on to the next challenge, leaving a wake of success.

"What will my future look like?"

This is a question that Gene Wellenstein asked himself when he decided to achieve his goals. He knew that if he did not take ownership for his health, he would not have much of a future.

"If you think about your future, how it would be if you did not get your steps in, you realize that, this is something that needs to be done. The Co-op helps by giving you a goal to reach."

"From Jane Birr's "Just Get It Over With" program offered through the Healthy Lifestyles Cooperative, Gene learned that he should not try to tackle all of his goals at once. Instead divide them up into quarters. Setting major goals for the first quarter to get them out of the way and making the resulting changes a part of your lifestyle"

Gene has over 170 days of 5,000 steps or more. He set goals beyond his step goal and was able to reach them in the first quarter of this year. His first personal goal was to workout for 30 minutes five times a week. Gene now works out six times a week for a minimum of at least 30 minutes.  He continually sets new goals and is already thinking of goals for the forth quarter! What a great value to his health!

"It may seem like you are 'losing' an hour in the morning however you are gaining a lot more. If you make the time available to workout in the morning, when you get home from work you feel more energized. Instead of watching TV you have the energy and motivation to do more."

Here are some tips from Gene on how to reach your goals

1)     Tracking your goals is the key. It does not have to be anything fancy. Keep an excel spreadsheet on your computer or use a calendar. Be sure to track your progress.

2)     Get people involved to help and support you along the way.

3)     Make sure you have specific goals not just I want to lose weight "how much and by when"

It may seem like a lot of work however the payout far succeeds the input.

July 2010

Gregg admits he was slow to get into Sonic Boom, but then he has a pretty good excuse. In the fall of 2009 Gregg had knee surgery and was told to stop running. Gregg thought he would now "instantly" begin to gain weight, and that "just walking" would never replace jogging as a satisfactory way to stay in shape. He now says: "Boy, was I ever wrong!"

By June 21st Gregg had already completed an amazing 140 days over 5000 steps, averaging 7578 steps per day! (Not bad after a slow start, right?) Gregg leads his staff in steps - they are ALL on track to hit their 75 day goal by Sept 30th - with a total of over one million three hundred thousand steps in 2010! Gregg's assessment of his success? "Not Bad For An Old Guy"!

But has the HLC and Sonic Boom also encouraged positive change with his staff?  Here's what Gregg says to that:

"Thinking of a few recent events, staff persons have made well-thought out decisions on their own, without my having to explain the priority and necessity of same. And, as I reflect, I don't seem to notice as much yawning or droopy eyelids after lunch lately.  So, maybe there is something in the water.....excuse me, I mean in the exercise. I know that recently at Rotary someone told me that I not only lookin good lately, but that I have a bounce in my step. It all counts!"

Gregg also reports that his doctor looked a bit puzzled during his recent physical. He'd lost 18 pounds and 60 points on his cholesterol. His blood pressure and other lab tests were great. And to top it off, Gregg reports no more pain is that knee! 

June 2010

David Jolly the CEO of Pool 4 member Monroe Bio Technology, is a shining example OF what you can do when you set your mind to it!

David's insurance broker, Christi Quigley with the Green Bay Insurance Center (who just happens to be a member of our Premier Broker group and big supporter of the Coop) recently shared with us David's success in the Sonic Boom program.

Check this out!

David is currently number one in his company as far as continuous steps achieved.  He is currently at Tier 5 (over 5000 Steps a day) for the past 102 days.   The rest of the days (15 days) which he did not archive 5,000 steps he was still over 4000 steps for the day. WOW!

Here's how Christi categorized David and his staff's remarkable work ethic:

"David is truly an inspiring example of how a CEO can lead by example and help encourage other employees to actively be engaged in a healthy lifestyle.   90% of this group has either met the annual goal or is on target to meet the goal.  I am so very proud of them!"

Today's Challenge is to "Be Like David". Get in at least 5000 steps...Today....and on each day after.

It shouldn't matter if, like David and his employees, you've already met your annual goal.

Every time you exercise you increase your energy, productivity and accuracy and are better able to do complex thinking and make better decisions.

That's a lot of benefits!

March 2010

Stacy, a former Healthy Lifestyles Cooperative Pool 1 employee was the individual winner of the 2009/2010 Merry Meltdown Challenge.  Stacy won this challenge with a 10.85% weight loss.

I met Stacy in January and wanted to share her story with you.  Stacy is an awesome example of someone embracing the idea of lifestyle change and carrying it through to all aspects of her life.

Over the last 9 months of 2009, Stacy worked to make some significant and positive lifestyle changes. After completing Jane Birr’s class and winning the HLC Merry Meltdown challenge Stacy feels that she is well on her way to leading a healthier, happier life.

What does Stacy contribute to her success? 

• #1 she had the desire to change
• Removing her negative thoughts and replace them with positive thoughts (she stopped punishing herself)
• Planning and preparing her family’s weekly meals in advance and preparing a detailed shopping list
• Eating breakfast – Stacy’s choice is steel cut oats which provide energy and are filling
• Packing a lunch for work
• Portion control – Stacy uses a smaller plate and takes less so she can have seconds but really not eat as much
• Enjoying each bite of food
• Drinking lots of water
• Beginning with a free trial at a local gym – Stacy lost weight and inches from her body.  She realized that exercise was the key to stress management and to feeling good.
• Exercising 3 times per week alternating cardio and strength training.
• Adding strength training exercises to her workouts.  Stacy keeps her weights out and visible
• Completing a routine of nightly stretching exercises
• Peer support from her co-workers, Jane Birr, and Weight Watchers
• Participating in the Co-op sponsored walks
• No longer feeding her feelings and emotions
• Creating a routine
• Trying recipes from her Weight Watchers cookbook.  She likes to try new recipes with unique ingredients to keep meals fun.
• Walking more and using an exercise ball

Stacy was able to challenge herself and “get out of her comfort zone” and she added that she became inspired to put herself first and “start taking care of me” because if I can’t take care of me, how can I help others.”

Stacy’s advice is to believe in yourself and never live to regret!