Visit the Wellness Program Website!
County of Marin
Employee Wellness Program Newsletter
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing" 
- G.B. Shaw
In This Issue
Employees Raise $2750 for the National Brain Tumor Society
WIC Employees Inspire a Culture of Wellness
Thrive Competition Begins!
Men's Health Month
Employee Night at the JCC Summer Concert on July 14th
Kathy Caston - Our June Wellness Champion
Quick Links
 
Sign Up for Weight Watchers Meetings at Work - Thursdays @ the Civic Center in Room 401 
 
 

Wellness Champion of the Month

June Champion is Kathy Caston
Help us celebrate the everyday people in your department that demonstrate a commitment to leading healthy and active lifestyles.  Nominate yourself or someone you know. 

These stories may come in 'all shapes and sizes' from someone who has recently adopted lifestyle changes to those with a long-standing history of healthy and active pursuits.  

Click Here to complete a nomination form.

Email completed forms to wellnessprogram@marincounty.org 
OR 
send ATTN: Wellness Program in Human Resources

Check Out The County of Marin Employee Wellness Video!
See what we've been up to in 2011!

 
Our Employee Wellness Program has a Website - 

 
18 Employees Participated in the SF Brain Tumor Walk in San Francisco on May 5th and they raised a total of $2750!

Way to go!




WIC Employees Inspire a Culture of Wellness!

H&HS Wellness Ambassador Amanda Murphy shares what the WIC employees are doing to inspire wellness in the workplace:

Rainbow Salad:  Once a month at the staff meeting, a rainbow salad is organized in which everyone brings a SuperFood ingredient (any vegetable, fruit, nut) to add to the salad.  The results have been fun and delicious!
 
 

 
 Activity Breaks:  At every staff meeting there is a wellness break.  Activities include: deep breathing, laughter yoga, dancing the cupid shuffle, desk stretches and belly dancing!


 
We want to hear what your group is doing to inspire wellness in the workplace.  Email wellness program@marincounty.org and tell us!
Issue: #3
June 2012

The County of Marin values our workforce and believes taking health and wellness initiatives in our organization have a positive impact on everybody.  

 

Our Mission: To provide opportunities that engage, educate and empower our workforce in leading healthy and active lifestyles that support overall well-being.  

Thrive Across America Team Competition Begins!

 

Team Competition Begins Thursday, May 31st!
 
Team formation goes through June 13th!  
Although the 8-week team competition begins Thursday, May 31st, you can still form or join a team through June 13th.

 

What is Thrive Across America?

Thrive Across America is an online physical activity program where you travel from Maine to Hawaii, along a virtual route. On the way you'll visit more than 50 of our country's most treasured outdoor attractions, brought to life with vivid pictures and detailed descriptions.

 

How does it work?

Each time you record physical activity minutes, you move along a virtual route that winds through the United States, passing through America's most exciting outdoor attractions. You'll complete Thrive Across America in 16 weeks if you average 150 minutes a week (for example, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week). If you exercise 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week you'll complete the route in about eight weeks.

 

What activity counts?
Any activity counts if it increases your heart rate and breathing, and can be sustained for 10 minutes or more. If you participate in team sports or other activities with a lot of rest time, log only the minutes you're moving.

 

Is there a limit to the amount of physical activity I can record in a day?

No. But the Thrive Across America program is designed to encourage a consistent, lasting physical activity habit. So although you can record any amount of physical activity in a day, your progress on the route is limited to 60 minutes a day. And 60 minutes is the maximum daily amount each team member can contribute to the team's score.

 

Get the FREE Mobile App for Thrive Across America?

After you register on the website, download the Thrive Across America app for the iPhone or Android from the App Store or Android Market and log your time as you go!

 

Save the Date - Tuesday, August 14th, 12-1 

Thrive Across America Celebration Event 2012

Details on the event TBA. Presentation of prizes, raffles and more!  

 

Prizes Presented at the Celebration Event

1st Place Team Members:  $75.00 gift cards

2nd Place Team Members: $50.00 gift cards 

3rd place Team Members: $25.00 gift cards 

1 lucky (randomly drawn) Team Members: $25.00 gift cards

10 lucky (randomly drawn) persons who sign-up the first day:  $25.00 gift cards

 

June is Men's Health Month!
Staying Healthy - Do You Know What It Takes?

Screening tests can find disease early, when they're easiest to treat.  
Talk to your doctor about getting the preventative tests you need. Find more information here: http://www.ahrq.gov/healthymen/prevent.htm

 

Men's Guide to Good Health from Kaiser at kp.org/menshealth

 

 

County of Marin Employee Night at the JCC Summer Nights Concert on
Saturday, July 14th, 7pm


 

Rupa & the April Fishes

Come join us!  As neighbors and community partners, the Osher Marin JCC is offering up to 100 county of marin employee tickets for FREE to an evening of Cultural Fusion with Rupa and The April Fishes on Saturday, July 14th at 7pm!

 

Get your Thrive team, colleagues, family and friends together outside of the workday for some fun! The County of Marin will have two picnic tables reserved under the VIP tents 1 & 2.  

  

Throw a blanket on the turf, meet up at the picnic table next to the playground and stage, bring a picnic or purchase dinner from Sol Food Restaurant onsite!  Sit on chairs in the back or get up and dance. The night is yours and the music defies categorization!

  

Where: Osher Marin JCC Kanbar Center for the Performing Arts

When: Saturday, July 14th

Time: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm (doors open at 6:15 pm)

Register: The first 100 employees are FREE!  You must reserve your ticket by emailing the wellnessprogram@marincounty.org

Ticket Info:  

Adult Advance Tickets: $20.00

Adult Day of:  $25.00

Kids 5 and under: FREE

Children 6-17:  $5.00 each

**Tickets for friends and family who are non-staff can be bought here: 

Click here to Purchase Tickets and for more Info

 

 

 

Kathy Caston - June Wellness Champion!
  

 

Kathy Caston works in the H&HS department in the Employment Services Program and CalWorks Child Care Unit as an Eligibility Assistant.  On July 25th, she will have officially worked for the County for 29 years! 
 
Kathy was nominated by colleagues who describe her persistent, consistent, dedicated, and determined! They also say:
"Kathy has a positive attitude about eating right that is contagious.Kathy faces all challenges with honesty and never gives up."

"Her commitment, focus, and follow through are remarkable.  She walks the walk and talks the talk every single day.

In addition to quitting smoking in 2005, Kathy has lost 66 pounds in 8-months!

 

Wellness Program: What inspired you to take on healthy changes in your lifestyle? 

Kathy:  It was the death of my dear sister.  She succumbed to cancer in 2004. After she passed, I decided to get my life in order because not only was I divorced with two children, but my sister left two children whom also would need my emotional support.

 

Wellness Program:  What is your key to success?

Kathy:  In January 2011, I joined Food Addicts Anonymous (FA), which is a 12-step program based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous.  The key to my success was their program and my desire to participate in it. 

 

In addition, there were three major lifestyle changes I had to make: 1) Get out of a relationship that was going nowhere. 2) Quit smoking, which I did in 2005. 3) Deal with my weight, of which I had tried various programs, some with success.  It wasn't until January 2011 when I started FA, that I actually stuck to their program and in eight months lost 66 pounds!

 

Wellness Program:  What types of activities do you participate in that support your health?

Kathy:  I used to take water aerobics at the JCC and now I'm walking 2-4 times a week and also joining an exercise program, of which my son is the trainer!

 

Wellness Program: What does wellness mean to you?

Kathy:  Freedom to be mobile! I've also noticed that since I've started eating a healthier diet, I'm not getting as many illnesses

 

Wellness Program:  Can you offer some advice to others hoping to accomplish a weight loss goal?

Kathy:  In my own case, it is a lifetime pursuit. 

 

Wellness Program:  Any favorite quote or mantra?  

Kathy:  My favorite quote is: "When you fall down, just get back up"  

 

Wellness Program:  What do you like to do in your spare time? 

Kathy:  I enjoy watching my grandniece. She keeps me off the couch and active.   

 

Way to go Kathy!