The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
It's a tight race for the 38 teams in the 28-Day Workplace Health Challenge. Only a few tenths of a point separate the top teams from last week's point tally. Fran Labarre, with in motion, says things are getting exciting between everyone. "People are loving it," says Labarre, noting she has heard a few comments over the past week or so from those competing. In the community, 377 people make up 38 teams, all of whom are competing against each other to see who can lead the healthiest lifestyles over four weeks. "People are saying it's fun to do with everyone in the workplace," says Labarre. As well as helping each other along, Labarre says she has also heard that it's interesting to see what hits the table for lunch. "They check what others are eating," she laughs. When the idea for the challenge first hit the in motion table, the committee didn't know what level of participation to expect. "I was not expecting this big," says Labarre. "I was hopeful for 10 or 12 teams, but this is a good participation rate." Wither nearly 400 people in the community competing, Labarre hit the streets last week to check in and see some businesses. "People were having fruit for a snack, there were Canada Food Guides on desks, it was just impressive," she says. Keeping up with the challenge has been just that for many Ð a challenge. "It's more of a challenge than they thought," says Labarre, "But they are still doing it." With the challenge only part way though, people are commenting on the amount of energy they have and that they are already starting to feel better. As for the idea catching on, Labarre says it was just the "right time." "Everyone is always keen on making the changes in the new year, so it worked for in motion," she says. And news travelled fast once workplaces were talking to each other about it. "It's a communication thing...and people want to belong to something," Labarre says. The participation rate blew Labarre away; she was "quite shocked." "It's a fun and innovative way to make some changes," she says. "Then of course, everyone is doing it, so it makes it easier." Though the challenge is only four weeks long, Labarre hopes that the changes are for life. "It's just kind of getting them hooked," she says. "We hope they feel good...and carry on and maintain this change." With the progress made by so many people already, Labarre says it will be interesting to see the numbers this week, as well as to see how well people keep this up. "This is how you stay healthy, prevent chronic disease and this what you have to do," she says. "Everyone who is playing is a winner. Keep up the good work," she says. As a reminder to all, the following are a few tips, created by the in motion committee, to get those check marks every day: Eating Healthy Refers to eating according to the recommendations outlined in the Canada's Food Guide to healthy eating. Breakfast Breakfast should be eaten within two hours of waking. Fish Please make your fish choice a healthy choice and avoid breaded or deep fried choice. Any fish goes, but tuna, salmon, trout, sardines and kipper snacks are your best choice for Omega 3. If you have a fish allergy, you make choose the following substitutions: Ð 2 tsp of ground flax seed daily. The body is not able to break down whole flax seed, thus not giving you the benefit of the Omega 3. Ð 1/4 cup of unsalted almonds, walnuts or pumpkin seeds daily. Ð Remember, you may only get three points maximum for fish. Physical Activity You must accumulate a minimum of 30 minutes of activity to your daily point. If you exceed 30 minutes of activity, you do not exceed the daily point, but just think about the health benefits! Sleep Please choose a bed time that would allow you to get the seven to eight hours of sleep. The only exception to the sleep point is if your sleep is interrupted by unforeseen life circumstances; i.e. babies, menopause or other legitimate reasons. See 'Challe...' on pg. Continued from pg. Water To get your daily water point, you must drink six to eight glasses of water. Coffee, tea, pop and juice do not count. The following are the teams in the challenge and their points Ð as of Friday. (Note that some teams had not yet submitted their point totals): Aqua Centre Aqua Blasters Ð 0 Bank of Nova Scotia Money Bags Ð 40 Ben Dembinsky's LTD Dembo's Girls Ð 43.5 Canada Post Gone Postal Ð 0 Candy Bar Candy Bar Cuties Ð 43.4 CFAR 590 RadioActive Ð 45.3 CIBC Bankers In Motion Ð 45.9 City of Flin Flon City Hall Crew-Saders Ð 47 Community Futures Greenstone The Powerful 4 Ð 50.5 Creighton Community School Carb Crushers Ð 49.5 Creighton Health Office Mamawetan Might Movers Ð 40.2 Creighton Town Office The Transformers 48 Curves Curves Girls Ð 45.8 Flin Flon Indian and Mtis Friendship Centre Ð 42.2 Long Term Care FFGH Loving The Challenge Ð 47.7 Flin Flon General Hospital Acute Bunch of Beauties and A Beast Ð 0 Flin Flon Guidance Nursery The Guidance Go-Getters Ð 48.2 Flin Flon School Division ADM-In-Motion Ð 45.5 Ginnell Bauman Watt Law Corp The Scales of Justice Ð 43.3 Hapnot Collegiate Pauley's Achilles Tearors Ð 45.2 Liquor Mart In Spirit Ð 46.6 McIsaac School Woodpeckers Ð 0 Nothern Rainbows End Rainbows Umpalumpas Ð 42.6 Northeast Regional Husting Auth HC/DC Ð 42.5 Northland Ford Sales Ltd. Ford Flexors Ð 0 Pharmasave Menu Pause Ð 45.1 Primary Health Care Centre Walking The Talk Ð 50.9 The Reminder Newstritionists Ð 46 Royal Bank The Rock 'N' Royals Ð 48.8 RHA Corporate Slow & Steady Ð 0 Ruth Betts School Team Ruth-Less Ð 0 Service Canada Centre Total Meltdowns Ð 49 Sharon's Place The Snippers Ð 40.2 Wal-Mart Rollback Rebels Ð 37 Whitney Forum Whitney Forum Ice Crew Ð 35.6
