Administrator and supervisor support is key to healthy employees and a successful Worksite Wellness Program.

Thank you to all of these superstars for being great role models! This program was established Fall 2017.

How do you incorporate healthy eating into your lifestyle?

"I love to eat! Starting the day with a good breakfast makes a big difference for me, and I also make sure I have yummy and healthy food available at work so I’m very rarely tempted by French fries for lunch (fries are a weakness of mine). I have discovered that if I allow myself a treat every once in a while, it’s easier to eat healthy more often than not, so there’s always a little dark chocolate in my drawer. Stop on by if you need a little pick-me-up!

One of my favorite ways to incorporate healthy eating into my lifestyle is to grow my own food. It’s so rewarding to eat something fresh and delicious straight from the garden! Someday you’ll find me on my own homestead. :) "

How do you fit physical activity into your lifestyle?

"I’m a morning person, so exercising before work is the way to go for me. We’ve converted a basement bedroom into a home gym, and I enjoy weightlifting, doing body weight exercises, and have a love-hate relationship with my treadmill. Now that it’s cooling down and there are fewer people out on the trails, I look forward to doing more hiking too."

How about other wellness activities?

"Having a planner/journal keeps me sane. I use it to track my weekly tasks and yearly goals. It also provides me a place to write down the thoughts that sometimes bounce around in my head. Making sure my headspace is healthy is just as important as eating well and staying active."

How are you a good role model?

"I always take the stairs, and I’m happy to chat anytime about healthy recipes."

Any accomplishments you would like to share?

"My biggest accomplishments aren’t super flashy, but they’re important to me. I’ve hit my weekly step goal every week so far this year, and after a five-year struggle, I’ve finally hit my goal weight!"

Any advice for other D6 employees?

"Don’t just set resolutions, but create goals for yourself – and write them down. Measure your progress and celebrate every single victory whether it’s big or small."

How do you incorporate healthy eating into your lifestyle?

"I incorporate healthy eating into my lifestyle by eating our wonderfully delicious and nutritious school lunch every day! I load my tray up with lots of veggies and fruits." 

How do you fit physical activity into your lifestyle?

"I view physical activity as a joy. I start my day (every day!) with some kind of physical activity; I am either at the gym or running with my dogs every morning. It energizes me and helps me start every day in a joyful, positive way."

How about other wellness activities?

"In addition to physical activity and healthy eating, I work to have a healthy lifestyle by spending time with my family and by spending time alone to de-stress."

How are you a good role model?

"I love to support others in their healthy life-long journey. I hope that my positive attitude around healthy eating and physical activity serves as a model for others."

Any accomplishments you would like to share?

"I've challenged a few students to push-up and arm wrestling contests, and I've won quite a few of those battles. I've completed two Spartan Beast mountain races (13+ miles and 30+ obstacles). I enjoy participating in races with friends and family. In addition to the Spartan races, I've also competed in 5ks, 10ks, 10-milers, half marathons, and triathlons. 

Any advice for other D6 employees?

"View healthy eating, physical activity, and taking care of your emotional and mental health as a positive reward for your body. Positive self-talk is a great way to support reaching your goals. Focus on celebrating your successes and growth!"

How do you incorporate healthy eating into your lifestyle?

"With the kick-off of our 5210 campaign, I have been challenging myself to eat more fruits and vegetables on a daily basis."

How do you fit physical activity into your lifestyle? 

"Having two young boys at home, sports is an everyday thing. Not only do I enjoy watching them grow as athletes, but I also enjoy playing alongside of them. In the summer months, we love being outside and adventuring around our beautiful state!"

How about other wellness activities?

"In order to be able to give my staff, students and family my best each and every day, I get lots of rest and drink plenty of water. I also take time each night to connect and relax with my family."

How are you a good role model?

"My philosophy of teaching the whole child aligns nicely with our International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. Therefore, I take every opportunity to model healthy habits to staff and students. I am a member of our Personal, Social, & Physical Education (PSPE) Team here at Dos Rios and I whole-heartedly support staff and student wellness and programs. This team provides our students and staff with opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. It is easy to support something I believe in!"

Any advice for other D6 employees?

"Take time for yourself to recharge and do things that you love! Surround yourself with people that encourage you and bring out the best in you!"

How do you incorporate healthy eating into your lifestyle?

"What really helped me change my eating habits this year was twofold. First, my doctor had a conversation with me about how my weight graph was slowly creeping up. He pointed out to me that I needed to take time to eat breakfast and lunch, something I wasn't doing until this year. The second was having a buddy at work with a similar goal. A co-worker and I decided to try eating clean by following the Whole 30 eating plan. We did it! She lost 15 pounds and I lost 11."

How do you fit physical activity into your lifestyle? 

"I am a pretty physically active individual. Every morning, I get up early and go on a long walk with my dog. As a family, we bike ride and swim. I also go to a gym and take spin classes and do boot camp."

How about other wellness activities?

"Reading, writing, home improvement projects and doing crafts are ways that I decompress during home hours."

How are you a good role model?

"When I work with students, it's usually because they are struggling in some way. I always talk to them about breathing and taking care of themselves mentally and physically. I teach them deep breathing exercises as a way to de-escalate."

Any accomplishments you would like to share?

"All of my three children are physically active. They participate in organized sports like swimming, baseball, football, and track. My youngest son, who is 10, and I like to run/walk 5K's together. As an adult, I have taken up many new activities like show shoeing paddle boarding, and snow skiing. I have also been water skiing since I was 11 and can slalom ski. 

Any advice for other D6 employees?

"The best advice I could give others is just to make time for yourself. Our physical well-being is linked to our mental health. When you do things fo yourself like eating healthy and exercising, you are better equipped to deal with daily stressors. It is very hard, but well worth it."