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Rico Willis†presents Joy Cooper†with a gift basket†for being named ��ɫ����������ƵӰԺ?s Fittest Employee†of the Month†for March.†To receive this award, an employee must†be caught practicing†overt wellness behavior and attitude.†

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The Wellness Committee is on the lookout for an April recipient!


Here's a message from Joy regarding her†personal wellness plan?

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I must confess I?m the mom that sends her kids in for birthday cake and ice cream at birthday parties.††Additionally, I encourage them to return with the corner cake piece!††My boys do not like cake and detest icing.††It?s my weakness that is masking behind the guise of resourcefulness of not wanting food to go to waste so I?ll just have to eat the cake.

Blessed with a high metabolism, the college years were an awaking that the pounds did not melt away as easily as before and I knew my fitness level needed to improve.††In the past 20+ years I?ve sweated through Step Aerobics, Tae Bo, Boot Camp, P90X and other fitness crazes.††I?m typical of my generation and believe strongly in the power of workout videos ?..although they are much more effective when used on a regular basis†J!!

All in all, I have some weaknesses that maintains a tighter grip on my fitness level that I would like, but I try to manage those with reasonable adjustments.††As the years tick by I have learned to practice some of the†tricks below that help to maintain a balance between work, family and fitness.

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• I try to follow the 80/20 rule ? 80% ?good? food choices and 20% ?bad? food choices.††What do I consider bad?††Basically any food choice that contains a high amount of carbohydrates and/or saturated fat.

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• There is an old adage of†eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen, and dinner like a pauper when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight.††This is a system I?ve found to be effective.

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• Identify your weaknesses and work in solutions.††If the cake and ice cream are consumed, recognized something else has to ?give? later.††As Dr. Seabourne one said, ?You cannot chase calories with exercise?.††One simply cannot run that much.††Actions have consequences, so cake and ice cream means cutting back on calories within the next 24 hours plus an extra lap or two around the track.††I must say, sometimes it?s worth it!

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• Water, water, water!††For me, 8 glasses a day is only the beginning. My goal is a gallon of water each day.††Some will feel that is too much, and it may be, but it works for me.

∑†††††Make your next sandwich using iceberg lettuce in lieu of bread.††My favorite wrap is turkey and provolone cheese, with real mayo, wrapped in a large iceberg lettuce leaf.

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• Fresh fruit is great, but I have learned to mix almonds, peanut butter or cheese in order to provide enough protein to off-set the sugar that is in fruit

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• Find an exercise routine that works for you.††I have participated in numerous fitness routines and fads, but always keep active with one thing or another.††Jogging is my favorite, but my knees are no longer as agreeable; therefore, I try to alternate other workout routines and recognize the benefits of variation.

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• Build fish into at least one meal a week.

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• Utilize the campus FIT center.††Northeast employees are very fortunate to have constant access to a great fitness center.

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• Commit to getting enough sleep.††This has been another challenge for me and I rely on melatonin as the solution to ensuring 7 hours of sleep each night.

Working within an academic environment is rewarding because it provides a great opportunity to recognize the physiological and psychological benefits good health affords.††Health is a need and I am motivated by my colleagues and profession to consistently work at achieving the need for a healthy lifestyle.

Joy Cooper