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Also, remember to turn in the appropriate yellow coupon when you reach each award level — 250,000; 500,000; 750,000 and 1 million steps. The yellow coupons are in the walking kits on the “Wellness Awards Coupon Sheet.” Prizes can be viewed by going to www.unmc.edu/cfhl and clicking on “One-Million Step Challenge Prizes” or stopping by the Center for Healthy Living front desk and asking to see them. Jayme Nekuda of the Center for Healthy Living will order prizes at the beginning of each month. |
From weight loss, to having more energy, to just plain feeling better – several employees already have experienced impressive results just three months into the yearlong challenge.
Below Robin Jaeckel of the College of Public Health and Jesse Edwards of the School of Allied Health Professions explain in their own words how their lives have improved since starting the challenge.
Dropping a dress size
Jaeckel: I had knee surgery 11 years ago, which has left me with decreased range of motion and left me unable to do most workouts — i.e. stair step machines, running, impact aerobics. I have real pain using steps too often around my home. I have tried to lose weight after having children but — like many — I didn’t. So my attitude changed to just maintaining my weight and I did OK for awhile. At my last doctor visit at the beginning of the year, I had gained 10 pounds. Not much for a year but if you are already a bit over weight, it does add up.
When I started walking, I thought about a realistic daily goal for myself — I didn’t expect to loose much weight, I just wanted to maintain. Most days I either meet my daily goal or come very close.
Since I started walking in May, I have dropped a dress size! And I am telling everyone! This is a very unexpected and wonderful surprise. I really haven’t changed much in my lifestyle. I eat about as much as I did before, I just eat smarter. I purchased a pair of pants that are not my size right now but fitting into them is my next goal.
Feeling better
Edwards: Enrollment in the challenge has made a huge difference in my well-being. At age 79, I had grown more and more inactive. I suffered from short breath on even modest walks and generally felt lethargic most of the time.
Since beginning the challenge, I feel much better. I still get short of breath but much later than before. I am walking about two miles about three or four times per week.
Overall, I have more energy than before and my spirit has improved. I still have a long trip on my million step journey but I will get there in due time.
What about you?
Have you experienced significant changes as a result of the 1 Million Step Challenge? We’d love to hear about it. Write us a note about your experience, send it to today@unmc.edu and we’ll post it in a future UNMC Today story,
The following is a list of UNMC employees who have recently reached one of the 250,000-step markers in the 1 Million Step Challenge. Send an e-mail to today@unmc.edu with your name, department and tell us what step milestone you reached and we’ll post it on the list.
250,000 steps
- Ruth Olson, surgery-transplant
- Rhonda Prewitt, general surgery
500,000 steps
- Jean Balsano, dermatology
- Janet Herde, sponsored programs accounting
- Maggie Jones, orthopaedics
- Gregory Karst, Ph.D., School of Allied Health Professions
- Barb Wright-Kennedy, information technology services
- Dana Meyer, orthopaedics
750,000 steps
- Kathy Austin, ophthalmology and visual sciences
- Eugene Boilesen,College of Public Health
- Geri Cohrs, mail services
- Lori Fuller, printing services
- Patricia Hageman, physical therapy education
- Fran Higgins, School of Allied Health Professions
- Jumoke Omojola, College of Public Health
- Keith Mueller,Ph.D., College of Public Health
- Jessica Tschirren, College of Public Health
1 million steps
- Jeff Broberg, sponsored programs accounting
- Lori Clapper, College of Medicine dean’s business office
- Puttappa Dodmane, pharmacology and experimental neuroscience graduate student
- Jolene Gulizia, printing services
- Kim Laursen, information technology services
- Jen O’Neill, infectious diseases
- Shelby Pracht, psychiatry
- Diane Strnad, College of Medicine dean’s business office
- Peter Iwen, Ph.D., pathology and microbiology