Wellness Makes A Difference!

University Health Services Staff - Portland Campus

Meet the Portland campus University Health Services staff (l to r): Sue Morgridge, Carrie Walker, Donna Isherwood, Marie Nadeau, Ann Conley and Kristine Bertini (not shown).

Soon after the holiday season ended, the staff at University Health Services decided it was time to shed some left over pounds. They agreed there was “power in numbers” so they took a team approach and set their goals to lose weight before summer. They created charts to track individual and group progress to measure pounds lost over time.

Staff members have recently joined the “Move and Improve” physical activity program to burn off extra calories. They also take noontime walks together and chat about meal plans, and to share what they might cook for a healthy dinner that night.

Marie Nadeau, spokesperson for the team, remarked that doing the weight loss challenge together has kept everyone motivated to stick with their personal weight loss goals even if some team members have an “off” week! Marie related that the “fun part” happens on their weekly weigh-in day when everyone gets to see how many pounds each member has or hasn’t lost in a week. TThey like to tease each other to keep themselves motivated to “stick with the program”!

While only a few months into their weight loss challenge, staff members are not only losing weight but also fitting into their clothes better! Best of all, they’ve lost weight without having to spend money and with the added benefit of having a great time supporting each other to get healthier!

Congratulations to the staff at University Health Services for demonstrating that making a commitment to living a healthier lifestyle can produce results, while at the same time fostering a culture of wellness at the workplace!