Journey to Wellness

The Journey to Wellness program is in full swing with multiple activities planned for this spring and summer!! Please click on this link to watch a video for more details on what’s to come.

Enjoy your Journey to Wellness this spring by taking part in these upcoming activities:

• May 2009: the six-week Step Out Fitness Challenge began on May 4. Get your scorecard with all instructions included from your cabinet’s wellness liaison(s) or simply click this link to download and print your scorecard.
• May 13, 11:30am: “Small Steps to a LEANer You” presentation in the Transportation Cabinet Auditorium
• Health fairs/screenings are being scheduled throughout the coming months by many cabinets here in Frankfort.
• Franklin Co. Farmers’ Market: visit in June with a cooking demo from some of your favorite cafeteria chefs

St. Patrick’s Day Walk

Thanks to everyone who attended the St. Patrick’s Day Group Walk at the State Capitol on March 17. The event was a huge success with nearly 150 walkers in attendance! The State Journal featured the event on the front page, check it out here.

Virgin HealthMiles

The Virgin HealthMiles program  has proved to be a huge success so far! Remember discount pricing is available through June 30, 2009, so hurry and sign up so you can have a change to earn and win cash!

Share Your Tips and Stories about Your Own Journey to Wellness

Journey to Wellness is working on collecting personal testimonies from individuals throughout the state that have made lifestyle changes that have significantly impacted their health. Some examples are significant weight loss, improvement of health risk status (blood pressure/blood cholesterol/blood sugar), accomplishment of some sort of activity- such as a formally sedentary person running a 5K or ½ marathon, or someone who has become a non-smoker.

What we are asking for is a paragraph from the individual addressing the following points:

• Any pertinent background on lifestyle prior to making change(s) including how they felt, limitations, health risks, etc.
• What made them decide they were ready to make a change in their lifestyle (family, health scare, personal motivation, etc.)?
• What changes(s) did they make; physical activity, nutrition, smoking cessation, stress management, etc.?
• How did they get started?
• What do they do to help maintain/sustain these healthy behaviors?
• Explanation of how a healthier lifestyle has changed how they feel (self-esteem, energy), function in their daily routine, or how it has improved their health status.

In addition, please send us your Fitness/Welllness Tips.

Please forward responses or questions to:

Stephanie Marshall, State Wellness Director
502-564-5506, Stephanie.marshall@ky.gov
Personnel Cabinet
KSOB, 2nd floor 501 High St.
Frankfort, KY 40601

A Tip from Our Wellness Coordinator Stephanie Marshall:

Having trouble finding time for physical activity? Try to activate your daily routine with activities like these:

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator
• Walk or stretch instead of taking smoke or coffee breaks
• Walk inside instead of using the drive thru or paying at the pump
• Wash your own car instead of going through the automatic wash
• Park at the far end of the lot instead of circling for a close spot