On January 1st people around the country resolve to be healthier, to start anew, throw out their bad eating habits, etc.   But each year by February 1st most have thrown in the towel.  So what was once a weight gain of 5 pounds has now over time become 30+ pounds.

 

This year instead of making resolutions to be healthier let's decide to learn something new.  

 

Resolutions seem to be an all or nothing situation: "In 2012, I'm going to eat healthier."  It's a win or lose statement. 

 

But if you rephrase it:"In 2012, I'm going to  learn to cook healthy meals" - you'll set yourself up for the process to succeed.

 

Resolutions imply that you know how to do something.

 

Learning to do something new begins with the idea that you don't have the needed skills yet, but you want to develop them.

 

What new healthy skills will you choose to learn this year?

Recent studies have suggested that your health may depend upon on who you hang out with.  If you have health conscious friends you will be too.  Having the right environment really does matter.

 

At Rummel Creek Elementary (RCE) in Spring Branch Independent School District, the entire staff:  Principal, classroom teachers and cafeteria manager are role models for their students.

 

Principal, Nancy Harn, promotes a healthy lifestyle on campus and only allows healthy snacks in the classroom. 

 

According to the Second grade team, students bring sugar-free jello, low-fat pudding, yogurt, popcorn, fruits and veggies for both snack and classroom parties.  The changes have been well received by everyone on campus and parents.

 

Librarian, Karen Harrell, helps students create healthy computer games, film health events and create healthy posters and displays.

 

The healthy changes have extended to the cafeteria too.  Only healthy a la carte options are sold: string cheese, low fat yogurts, baked chips, bottled water and a bigger selection of fresh fruit. 

 

Maria Suarez, RCE Cafeteria Manager, says the students at this campus choose to take the fruit and vegetable choice at lunchtime.  The campus is offer vs serve, so the choice cannot automatically be placed on the tray, but that's no problem.  These students really love their fruits and veggies.

 

Ms. Suarez is a great role model for the students too.  Over the last year she's undergone a big transformation - maybe a "small" transformation is more appropriate.  She's lost 85 poulds over the last 12 months.  Ms. Suarez eats more salads, fruits and other veggies.  She doesn't eat fast food anymore and steers away from other high fat, high calorie choices.  She now exercises at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes on her treadmill.  When asked how she has stayed motivated she said, "That's easy - I feel so much better.  My blood pressure is under control.  I have so much energy now.  I don't want to go back to the old me and feel that way again."

 

Rummel Creek Elementary is one of three Spring Branch Independent Schools participating in the Oliver Kids Program with the Oliver Foundation and Baylor University of Medicine. 

 

 

 

 

Description: 

 

They can present their research as a written paper, poster or a powerpoint presentation. 

 

Have you created a Healthy School Environment in your district?  Send us an e-mail  and tell us all about it -  info@oliverfoundation.org .

You may be spotlighted in the next Oliver Foundation newsletter - T.E.A.M. Talk.