Round Three Results Are In!

So far the average Shape Up & Go! participant has lost 3.2 pounds, exercised for 1,246 minutes, and walked 330,691 steps! WOW, WOW, AND WOW YOU ARE GOOD!!!
Together, Cleveland Clinic employees in Shape Up & Go! have lost 5,123 pounds, exercised for 2,466,407 minutes, and walked 828,050,693 steps!

Greetings!

Welcome to Shape Up & Go week 8! You're about to head into the final round of our challenge and set some new results records if you keep up the pace...And you may increase it if past performance is any indication of future success (I was not an SEC lawyer in a past life). Last week, we wanted to let you know just how amazing your accomplishments are--you have surpassed the world record currently held for 'the Largest Salad'. Then we realized there are a lot of incredible records out there waiting to be broken! We culled a few of the current records for unique and inspiring examples of what you can do when you put your mind to it! These are some of our favorites:

Longest Pogo Stick Distance-
23.11 miles in roughly 12 hours (consecutively!), Ashrita Furman, Jamaica, NY, Queensborough Community College, NY, 1997.
Balancing on One Foot-
Record setting solo leg stance held for 76 hours, 40 minutes! Arulanantham Suresh Joachim, Sri Lanka, 1997
Team Forward Roll (the Support Team at SU&G's favorite record)-
33,345 ft. 3 in distance in just one hour by 12 gymnasts (Mid Island Gymsports team) in New Zealand, 2008.

<source: www.guinnessworldrecords.com>

In this week's "Employee Spotlight" cheers to the 'Medina ICU' 9 member team from Medina Hospital for their 5.3% Weight Loss average for the team! Now that's a record!

With just a few weeks to go, there's still plenty of time to muscle your way into the top of the rankings. Don't forget a few lucky teams will receive some fabulous prizes-don't miss your chance to win!

This week's joke:

I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was.

She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued.

At last, she headed for the door, saying, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these, yourself!"

Until next week, keep smiling and keep on moving!

Yours in Health,
Cleveland Clinic Employee Wellness

Pass (On) the Holiday Goodies - Part 1

The typical American puts on about a pound of weight over the holidays. One pound isn't a problem, right? Unfortunately, the study also shows that the folks who gain the extra pound generally don't lose it in January. Instead, they put on another pound-and it just keeps accumulating.... Here are a few tips to avoid becoming another statistic yourself:

Eat slowly. Let your brain catch up with your stomach. It takes your tummy 20 minutes to tell your brain that you're full.

Skip the seconds. One plateful each is enough for appetizers, entrée and dessert.

Alternate your drinks. No, not one glass of full-fat eggnog, chased by one shot of whiskey! Have one glass of water for each glass of wine or cup of punch.

Have 6 walnuts and a glass of water before a meal. That's just 70 calories-and it will slow your stomach from emptying, making you less hungry at dessert time. Drink water after every third plateful of food. (Walnuts are an excellent food, loaded with omega-3 fatty acids.)

Take a hike. Grab a family member, or start a new tradition and grab the whole family-and take a long walk outdoors for a quick burst of energy, and maybe even some conversation!

Look for the rest of my holiday survival tips in "Pass (On) the Holiday Goodies - Part 2" next week.

"I'll have the Alfredo!...No Wait - the Marinara!"

Many restaurants are the culinary equivalent of 'Temptation Island'. It's hard to resist a basket of fresh bread and butter or oil and cheese, and nearly impossible to tear your eyes away from the "specialties" on the menu-dishes usually loaded with salt, fat, calories and cholesterol. On top of that, over 77% of our sodium intake comes from food we do not prepare ourselves. Here are some Menu Management 101 tips for the next time you go to a restaurant, to help you make the best choices for your health. Click on the link below.

Click here to read more about eating right even on the go.

This Week's Go! Foods Recipe
Mushroom-Carrot-Barley Soup

Makes 4 servings

1 Tbsp oil
1 chopped onion
2 celery stalks, sliced thin
2 carrots, peeled and sliced thin
2 C sliced mushrooms
½ C barley, quick-cooking
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp ground thyme
3 C low-sodium chicken broth
2 C water
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Heat oil in large soup pot over high heat.
Sauté onion, celery, carrots and mushrooms until golden, about 4 minutes.
Add the rest of the ingredients (except for the parsley) and bring to a boil.
Lower heat to a simmer, and cook until barley is tender, about 20 minutes.
Sprinkle parsley on top of soup; serve hot!

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION (PER SERVING):
Serving size: 1½ C
Calories: 170
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Sodium: 100mg
Protein: 8g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 6g
Vitamin A: 110%
Vitamin C: 10%
Iron: 10%

Motivation: Stay Energized

Getting support and encouragement is crucial to losing weight, increasing exercise, and becoming healthier. Your team captain and teammates are there to keep you going on the really tough days. Remember to keep the bigger picture in mind - a healthier you, a healthier nation, whatever it takes. Communicate with your team, your family and your friends. They'll help guide you to the end, and you'll be happier and healthier for it. Keep moving onward!