HealthyUT – April 2018
Wellness Warrior
The Wellness Warrior Award is given to individuals across campus who are nominated by their peers for leading by example and inspiring through action as they work to create a healthier lifestyle.
The Wellness Warrior for April is awarded to Teddi Keefer from the Department for Enrollment Engagement/Financial Aid. She has been a part of the UT Family for 9 years. Her favorite hobbies include hiking, boating, and quilting.
Teddi’s inspiration to lead a healthy lifestyle stems from the happiness that being healthy brings her. She exclaims that her good health allows her to do what she loves most of all: spend quality time with her family. Teddi’s encouraging spirit has led her to share health and fitness pamphlets, books, and videos to local churches and anyone who is interested in taking the next step in leading a healthy lifestyle. As Teddi recalls, a pastor, who was initially reluctant to take her advice, was diagnosed with stomach cancer shortly after he received Teddi’s information. Armed with the necessary tools to fight the terrible beast because of Teddi’s help, the pastor was prepared to fight the battle against cancer and was ultimately able to continue preaching and spending time with his family. Teddi’s helpful personality and healthy living advice has not only changed and saved other’s lives, but it has saved hers as well.
Congratulations, Teddi, for your nomination and thank you for being such a motivating model of health and wellness.
Making the healthy choice is not always the easy choice. To nominate someone who you feel is deserving of the Wellness Warrior Award please fill out a nomination form.
Move More
Challenge Yourself
This week, we want you to challenge yourself to try a new physical activity that you enjoy! Whether it be biking, kickboxing or swing dancing, make sure that you’re having fun while doing it because you are more likely to stick with it if you enjoy it. If you are having trouble finding an activity, check out the various fitness classes that are offered through TRECS. Additionally, there are several exercise videos that YouTube offers, along with apps such as Aaptiv, Nike+ Training Club and more.
Use these playlist to help you on your self challenge journey
Upcoming Community Events:
- May 5 – Leap 5k benefiting the Knoxville Ladies of Charity
Discount code for 20% off registration: UTRUNS - May 16 – National Employee Health and Fitness Day
- May 18 – National Bike to Work Day
Source: source
Eat Smarter
Summer Healthy Eating Challenge
Summer is quickly approaching which means good weather and even better food, but don’t let the barbecue and ice cream get the best of you! For seven weeks, embark on a fitness journey that will help you maintain or even shed some weight during the summer months. To make it even more interesting, encourage your friends and colleagues to join and create a healthy competition that keeps everyone involved and motivated!
Rules of the Game
- The overall goal is to maintain your current weight from now through the summer.
- Weigh yourself. Tracking your weight is a proven weight management strategy. It is important to know your starting weight as it will keep you motivated and allow you to track your progress. Weigh yourself each week and keep track of your progress in a diary or excel spreadsheet. Be sure to weigh yourself on the same day each week, first thing in the morning, wearing the same amount of clothing if possible.
- Track what you eat and drink. By tracking what you consume each day, you can make sure that you’re eating within your calorie goals to maintain your weight. Be honest! Don’t forget about the handful of kettle chips or the sweet iced tea you had for a snack. It’s okay to include a few “cheat meals” – just keep track of how they fit in each day. Use a food journal, or choose from free websites/mobile apps such as MyFitnessPal or LoseIt.
- Track your activity. Keep yourself motivated by tracking your activity each day. You can do this in your journal or on the mobile apps and websites listed above. Every little bit adds up and seeing how much you’ve done can encourage you to do more.
- Make a plan. Figure out what works best for you. Share your plan with friends and family so they can be supportive of your goals.
- Partake in #BeWellWeekends (optional). Boost your motivation to be physically active by visiting the various Parks and Events of the Week. Each are posted weekly on our Twitter account (@bewellutk) and Facebook page (@bewellutk)
- Connect on social media (optional). Share your progress, exchange tips, and cheer each other on through social media. Join the conversation on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Or, participate in the Fitbit and Garmin Communities
- Fitbit Community: https://www.fitbit.com/group/22KT95
- Garmin Community: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/group/2460505
Recipe of the Month: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Upcoming Events:
- Healthy Gardening Class- Growing Fruits and Vegetables, May 12, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Source: https://esmmweighless.com/holiday-challenge-rules-game/
Be Mindful
Counting Sheep
As children, most of us hated the word “bedtime”, but it may be time to implement the once dreaded rule. Sleep, in addition to diet and exercise, is an important aspect of leading a healthy lifestyle. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a third of Americans do not get enough sleep which in turn, put them at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and several other health problems including cancer. In addition to the numerous health concerns that a lack of sleep brings, it also affects our ability to concentrate. Here are a few tips that may help you get some much-needed shut-eye.
- Go to bed/rise the same times each day.
- Follow a relaxing bedtime routine.
- Create a dark, quiet sleep environment.
- Avoid alcohol/caffeine close to bedtime.
Source: http://enews.g-bro.net
The HealthyUT Newsletter is a monthly publication where events, information, and resource to support healthy lifestyles will be shared with the UT Knoxville Community. It will serve as our communication with our campus community as we try to make the healthy choice the easy choice.
Be Well.