February Focus

Wellness is more than just exercise and nutrition.  If you haven't seen The Movement trophy lately take a look...(btw, it has it's very own Instagram account which you should follow=)

Notice the words mental, environmental, physical, spiritual, emotional and social (hidden behind Mr. Patriot).  Those words are actually the 6 dimensions of wellness.  We tend to focus on the physical part when we think about wellness, but in reality... there is so much more.  Health is defined as the "absence of disease".  Wellness is a state of being that encompasses much more than just your health.  Have you had a wellness check-up lately?  A true check-up for all 6 dimensions.  I encourage you to do that.  Stress is part of everyday life for educators.  We work in a high-stress, high expectations, high commitment type of profession.    Be sure to take care of your wellness.  Sometimes we need to adjust our focus.  We get a bit overwhelmed from the job at hand and lose sight of the opportunity we have.  We sometimes lose focus on making an impact and instead focus on the day-to-day duties.  I encourage you to watch the video below and consider how the teen in the video had to adjust his focus.

If the video doesn't play on your device, click here to view.

Find your wellness, find your focus... and of course... KEEP MOVING.

POST YOUR PATRIOT POINTS

We Love HWD, Cycling Update and Hostage Situation

We Love Homewood:

Got plans for May 7th???  Go ahead and mark your calendar for the We Love Homewood Day Celebration.  If you have never experienced We Love Homewood Day, now is the time to make plans to BE THERE.  The day starts with our We Love Homewood 5K at 7:30am.  DETAILS AND REGISTRATION INFO HERE.  This event has raised over $30,000 for the fine arts programs in Homewood City Schools!  HCS employees and students can walk or run the race for the discounted price of $20.  Go ahead and click on that link above and begin training to finish your school year in the best shape of your life with a celebration of our city at We Love Homewood Day.

Update on Cycling Classes:

Our Monday and Thursday classes have included a great mix of employees from across our district.  I want to give a special SHOUT OUT to everyone who has come in to Spin over the past few weeks.  We are cranking out a great workout, listening to some fun songs and enjoying hanging out after school, at school in a not-so-school-like setting.  Monday's class is full this week, but be ready for the email blast on Tuesday to reserve your ride for Thursday.

The Movement trophy on Instagram:

Each Friday, The Movement trophy moves to its new location based on the team who scores the most Patriot Points.  This past Friday, I traveled to SCES to take the trophy from the Owls Nest over to WeHO HKES team b/c of their perfect 24 point win on The Big Scoreboard for the PPC.  As you can see, The Movement trophy has now achieved Instagram status and was handcuffed somewhere in a hostage situation.  I tried hostage negotiations... no luck.  Please follow themovementtrophy on Instagram to help us locate the whereabouts of our award so we can safely display it at HKES for the week of 2/15/16!!!  

KEEP MOVING.. Register for We Love Homewood 5K.. Follow themovementtrophy on Instagram.

POST YOUR PATRIOT POINTS HERE

Before and After

Before                               After
Patrick Chappell

After                                         Before
Mary Binkley

It takes a lot of courage to create a before and after picture.  Not just courage to actually allow the image to be included in our wellness blog, but courage to take on the daily challenge of winning wellness.  How many decisions do we make every day that impact wellness?  Here is a summary of what might happen in the life of an educator in one day.

• 5AM-Alarm clock, roll over or roll out of bed and get in a morning workout?

• 6AM- Breakfast, does it include a pop tart from the kid's side of the pantry, McDonald's on the way to work or a healthy option?

• 7AM-Sitting in traffic, are you slamming that second cup of coffee or beginning to hydrate with water?

• 7:30AM-Clock in at school, the PTO moms left breakfast casserole, doughnuts and more coffee.  It's free, they made the effort to bring it to school, do you pass by or feel guilty and therefore make a plate to take to your room and munch on before the students arrive?

• 10AM-First break of the day, planning period.  Do you open your desk drawer to find a healthy snack or is there a box of Girl Scout Cookies that you have to finish off before they are stale?

• 10:15AM-Do you surf the internet or take your phone with you to answer emails while you walk for 15 minutes before students make it back to your room?

• 11:45AM-Lunch!!  Do you choose a healthy option from the school cafeteria of do you make your way back to the lounge to enjoy the casseroles provided by the homeroom moms?

• 2:00PM-Still hydrating with water or do you need that second cup of coffee or soft drink to get you through the afternoon?

• 3:30PM-You survived the day!  Run by the store and grab a Snicker's bar or head the the high school for a 30 minute Spin Class?

• 6:00PM-Healthy dinner or stop by Publix and grab some of those amazing chicken fingers from the Deli?

• 7:00PM-Get in a walk after dinner or have two glasses of wine while streaming your favorite show on Netflix?

• 10:00PM-Teeth brushed, ready for bed? or catching up on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram?

EVERY day you are faced with decisions about wellness but you are faced with TWICE as many nutritional choices (highlighted in red) as you are fitness choices (highlighted in green).  That's why eating is such a HUGE part of wellness.  Think about your day.  Think about your decisions.  Create your before and after.  Mary and Patrick are enjoying life to the fullest because they FEEL better and nothing tastes as good as fitness feels.  Start working toward your after, stop living in your before.  

Keep Moving....

POST YOUR POINTS

Shout-out to FitBitters and other Activity Monitors

Many HCS employees are FitBitters.  If you would like to participate in a system-wide FitBit Challenge shoot me an email so we can all get connected.  Movement is a valuable part of your personal wellness initiative.  Find ways throughout your day to incorporate movement.  One of the best parts of my day is my 30 minute walk on the trail at HHS when I answer emails, return phone calls and grade some of my online student's work using the Schoology app on my phone.  If you see me staring at my phone and walking after lunch, I'm probably actually grading students in the Lifetime Individualized Fitness Education course that I teach at HHS.  I have over 100 students online and choose to MOVE and grade rather than stare at my computer screen.
Find ways to move while at work.  Just watch out for oncoming traffic =)

Post Points CLICK HERE

Richard Simmons, Cycle Selfie and Weekend Warriors

A week in the life of The Movement 

Jan. 18-24th  

Matt Richard Simmons Kiser competed in this week's FitBit Challenge!

Cycle Selfie from Thursday's Ride

Dayna @Hot Chocolate Race in ATL

 Theresa @ Hot Chocolate Race in ATL

FINISHERS!

Michele and Amy @Red Shoe Run

Tracey and her training partner and sister, Ashley.

Be sure to share your fitness adventures with @hwdmoves on Twitter.  It's always fun to see our employees and their pursuit of wellness.  Get SOCIAL and Keep Moving!

CLICK HERE!!!