Living On WELL Street

If improving the quality and length of your life is of interest to you, WELL Street has the perfect New Year’s resolution.  The "WELL Street Challenge” invites you to complete 30 “miles" of aerobic activity each month, an average of one mile per day.  Everyone who completes a minimum of 30 miles, in a given month, qualifies for a $20 gift card drawing.  

The WELL Street Challenge costs nothing.  Its purpose is to motivate people to get active and improve the quality of their lives.  To participate, we need to know your birthdate, height, weight and waist size. This information will be used to determine people's BMI (body mass index), and measure the collective or aggregate improvement of all participants.  No personal information will ever be shared.  At the end of each month, simply email your “numbers” - weight, waist size and aerobic miles achieved to info@wellstreetusa.com.  The drawing will be held on the 3rd the following month. Numbers must be submitted by Noon, Central Time, on the 3rd, to be included in the drawing.  The drawing winner and the aggregate data will be shared by the next day.

One aerobic mile can be earned for engaging in any of the activities listed below for the specified number of minutes.  The pace is subjective.  One person’s “easy” pace might be another person’s “vigorous” pace.  That’s okay.  It’s all about what’s right for you.  The honor system rules.  If you cheat, you cheat yourself out of the benefits that the Challenge offers.  You are encouraged to achieve as many miles as you wish, however, to encourage a regular exercise routine, a maximum of 3 miles per day should be counted toward the 30-mile monthly goal.

Activity Easy Moderate Vigorous

Cycling: Bicycle or Stationary 20 16       12

Elliptical Machine 18 15 12

Exercise: Continuous  30 20 15

Hiking, Cross Country 25 20 15

Jump Roping 12 10  8

Rowing, Canoeing or Kayaking 25 20 15

Running or Jogging 12 10  8

Skating: Inline, Ice or Roller 25 20 15

Skiing: Cross Country 20 15 10

Skiing: Down Hill or Water 25 20 15

Stair or Bench Stepping 18 15 12

Swimming 24 18 12

Walking 25 20 15

Weight Training 40 30 20

Forming a WELL Street Challenge Team can be a great way for family members, friends and co-workers to get in shape together.  It provides support and encouragement for people trying to live a healthier lifestyle.  Form a team and consider offering your own incentive for team members who reach the 30-mile goal.

Make 2012 a year of self-improvement!  Join the WELL Street Challenge and reap the benefits of being happier, healthier and more energetic.  Send us an email to get started. Include your birthdate, height, weight and waist size (measured directly above the belly button).  When we receive your email, you will receive an Individual Scorecard to record your daily progress, as well as a Group Scoreboard if you choose to form a team at home or work.

Live WELL in 2012!

M. J.

Working moms are healthier, happier, study finds

Dec 12, 2011 | 1:00 PM ET | by MyHealthNewsDaily.com, staff

“Mothers who have jobs are healthier than those who are not employed, at least when their children are very young, a new study finds.  Working mothers in the study were less depressed and reported better overall health than moms who stayed at home with their young children, though this benefit of working did not extend into children's school years.”

Comment:  I don’t know that this comes as a surprise to anyone, least of all to moms who experience emotional and social isolation when they are home for long hours without adult interaction.

Fewer Americans get health insurance through job

December 12, 2011.  By Emily Berry

Employer-sponsored coverage is growing more expensive and covering less.

“Findings by the Commonwealth Fund and polling by Gallup show that fewer workers are getting health insurance, and those who have it are paying more for less.  Polling released in November by Gallup showed the smallest percentage of American adults covered by employer-sponsored health insurance since the polling organization began tracking health insurance in 2008. As of the third quarter of 2011, 44.5% of adults were covered at work. That's down from 50% at the end of 2008.”

Comment:  That’s more than a 10% decline in 3 years. Employer-provided health insurance is going the way of employer pension programs.

U.S. Health Habits Continue Sharp Winter Decline

December 8, 2011.  By Elizabeth Mendes

Americans' exercise and eating habits worse last month than in same month last year.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – “As is typical during the winter season, Americans report exercising less. The percentage of adults who reported exercising frequently -- for at least 30 minutes three or more days per week -- fell to 49.8% in November, from 52.2% in October and from the year's high of 54.5% in July. Fewer Americans exercised frequently last month than did in November of last year (50.5%).”

Comment:  If only a pill could provide all the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. A liquid soft gel that made you look better, feel better, live longer and helped you save money would be devoured by the masses. Individual lives and society would be transformed. The reality is that it’s not available in pill form. You have to put in the physical effort for 30 minutes on most days. Who has time for that?

Live WELL!

M. J.