Wellness Assessment

Access Dr. Bob Whitcomb's recommended wellness assessment here:
http://wellness.uwsp.edu/other/livewell/index.asp
Remember it is worth an extra point for those who take it and bring in your score.

For others that missed our meeting on 11/28/10 you might want to talk with your challenge friends about Dr. Whitcomb's presentation. He offered great insight on the definition of "Wellness" and how we should seek balance in all dimensions of our life.
Don't let your brain get "stuck on stupid" remember the first step away from disease and toward wellness is awareness. From awareness we can seek knowledge[education] and from knowledge[education] we can grow.

Official Challenge for this week: Write your personal mission statement. Bring it in to share with the group on 11/4/10.

11/04/10 is a meeting you won't want to miss; Greg Schlachter will enlighten us with his vast knowledge on exercise and physcial activity. More than a handsome face, he use to be the strength and conditioning specialist for the NHL Ducks. He spent many years as a private trainer and even more as a professional athlete himself.

More to come

29 days into the challenge. 

On 10/21/10 we discussed specific goals. Some are feeling pleased with your progress toward the 10 week goals. Others are seeking greater change. Where ever you lie on the spectrum I would encourage going back to day one. Robin Grace talked to us about our thoughts. Do we sabotage our selves, at times, with our own thoughts? I know I do. My personal drive to excel can actually prevent me from trying. Do we make excuses without actually looking at barriers to reaching our goals. My take home thought for this 1/2 way point: 1. celebrate your successes  2. look closely at your "failures" and make them an opportunity for learning. Searching for wellness is a life long journey.

The challenge for this week is to volunteer for a community organization or event that is out of the norm for you. You will have until Thurs. the 4th to complete for an additional point. Remember those points may lead to cash...

If you see Phyllis Sage give her a big pat on the back for reaching her goal of climbing Ripinsky to the tower. Thanks to Kim Larson and Tina Olsen for providing the support she needed. You Go Girls!! I am proud.
~M

Relaxation Response

After my husband got out of bed this morning I thought I would try to do some relaxation breathing, twenty minutes later when I sat on the side of my bed I realized I forgot all about the breathing, but I did have a plan for my day.  It was easier when every now and then Laurie said "come back to your breath." Maybe a guided relaxation CD or something on my iPod might be helpful.  I was able to try it again at the end of yoga class today, and while it is hard to keep thoughts from intruding, it does help make you feel more relaxed.  I am going to keep trying. 

Sorry, the blog is late again this week.  The challenge for this week is to clean out your sock drawer.  

See you on Thursday. 

In Defense Of Food

"Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. That more or less is the short answer to the supposedly incredibly complicated and confusing question of what we humans should eat in order to be maximally healthy." ~Michael Pollan

The above is the opening paragraph from, In Defense of Food by Mr. Pollan. While Nancy McGrew RD, spoke to us last week I could not get the first three statements out of my head. Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. If I was to put Nancy's recommendations together with Pollan's this is the 5 point mantra I would learn and repeat.

1. Eat Food

2. Whole Food from the source

3. Not too much

4. Mostly Plants

5. Keep variety and enjoyment

I know when it comes to food it is not really this simple. Food seems to take on its own relationships for people. Be it social, emotional or just entertainment. For many food is no longer simply fuel or nutritional support. How do we keep the enjoyment of food and remember it is meant to be a source of fuel, not much more? I certainly can not pretend to know the global answer to this question. I can take what I have learned from the WFCC so far and try to start developing my own balanced healthy relationship with food.

The unofficial challenge for this week is to think about your thoughts on food. Be ready to share one or two of these with your friends. 

The official challenge for this week is to attend a community exercise class that you do not regularly participate in. This will be worth one point for each class. You will have until 10/29/10 to complete.

Thurs 10/22/10 Laurie Dadorian will take us down a level with the Relaxation Response.

Lastly, I appologize for the late posting. No point for me this week. ~ m

Maybe it is the “cock-eyed optimist” in me that keeps me from making changes.  I enjoyed the play very much and thought it might be fun to be up on that stage.  So what keeps us from really doing the things we want to do?  As Robin pointed out it is our thought patterns and she asked that we spend a little time “thinking about our thoughts”.  Weird concept, but it really makes sense.  Why do we think the way we do and how can we change that thinking to help us make change? 

Thanks Joann, Marcia and Kathy for the dramatization, you all could have been up on that stage this weekend!  We saw that the right kind of support can be very helpful, but we need to watch the kind of support we accept or seek out.  Is it really support when it  confirms our thoughts to stay the same?   I hope the Well & Fit Community Challenge group helps support you as you work to make changes in your health.  

This week’s challenge:  Eat only what has been produced or harvested in the Chilkat Valley for a day. 

Nancy McGrew will be leading a discussion on nutrition at our next meeting.