An Active Workday

Be more active during the workday. Think about your typical weekend. While there is probably some down time, there is also most likely physical activity mixed in. Whether this is a trip to the grocery store, playing with the kids or pets, feeding animals, doing yard work, cooking/cleaning around the house, walking in the mall… the list goes on. Return to work on Monday and the schedule most likely follows this pattern- wake up, move around as you get ready, drive to work, walk to your office, sit…., eat lunch, sit…, walk to your car, drive home, eat dinner, sit…, sleep. Did you know that a lack of physical activity throughout the day can decrease energy and increase risk for chronic disease (obesity, heart disease, depression, cancers, etc.)? Combat this by throwing in physical activity throughout your day. 10-minute sessions can make a difference! Keep tennis shoes under your desk so you can slip them on for a walk at lunch or whenever your work allows. Replace your office chair with a large exercise ball so that your core is engaged and you can perform a few exercise moves throughout the day. For more ideas, read “5 Ways to Incorporate Activity Into Your Workday” here- http://www.acefitness.org/acefit/healthy-living-article/60/5099/5-ways-to-incorporate-activity-into-your/ .

Walk Across Texas in McLennan County started Monday (3/23)! Participate as an individual or with a team. Visit www.walkacrosstexas.tamu.edu for more information and to register. If you are already registered on the MCC team, start tracking your physical activity today using the Individual Mileage Log- http://walkacrosstexas.tamu.edu/pdfs_dwnload/MKT-3131B.pdf. It is not too late to join!

The Water Game

McLennan

Wellness

“Be well in 2015.”

Do you want to drink more water? Do you like to play games? Do you want to win money? 

Let’s play Water Bank!

This is a great game for coworkers, friends, or a family to enjoy together. Not only do you motivate yourself to drink more water while playing this game, but the winner also gets a cash prize at the end! You'll need a piggy bank, a jar or a decorative bowl to hold the money you collect, and a notepad or a mobile phone to log your water intake each day. Here's how to play:

1. Determine how long you will be playing the game. A good idea is to start with a 5-7 day competition. At the end of the week, decide if you are ready for round two. Eventually you can extend the length of the competition. 
2. Decide how much each 8-oz. glass of water is worth. Since you'll be contributing that amount of money to bank, make sure it's an amount that everyone playing agrees on (5, 10, 25 cents…?). 
3. Every time you drink a full 8 oz. glass of water, make a note of it. You can keep a simple tally in a notebook you carry around with you, keep track on your mobile phone, or create a log on your computer. Make sure that you play this game with people who you trust won't cheat!
4. At the end of each day, deposit the value of water you drank into your communal bank, along with a note that has your name and value.
5. When the game ends, count who contributed the most money to the bank. That person not only earned all the money, but they also drank the most water! If there's a tie, split the bounty.