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Jill Francis is the Assistant Director of the Department of Child Support Services and has been working for the County for two years.
Jill was nominated by colleagues who describe her as upbeat and inspirational! They also say:
"Jill never gives up on anything. She is always striving to do something more and get in better shape." "She has been the driving force towards wellness in our health and wellness campaign in our office - even before the employee wellness program"
Wellness Program: What inspired you to take on healthy changes in your lifestyle?
Jill: In July 2010 our Director, Keith Pepper, mentioned to me that the County would like to embark on a new focus on health and wellness and asked if I had any ideas on what we could do as a department. Although I have always been active, I was definitely ready to make some positive changes in my nutrition and stress management. I began asking around the office and found out that many other people were interested in making healthy changes too. They had a lot of good ideas that we got excited about as a group. The TEAM FIT name was created and we used the 2011 New Year, with its draw, to create resolutions and kick-off our office wide campaign. It was far easier to make healthy changes when many of the people around you everyday are making those changes as well.
Wellness Program: We hear you've had success with weight loss, can you tell us more?
Jill: At the beginning of 2011 a group of supervisors and I kicked off an agency wide initiative to focus on employee health and wellness calling it TEAM FIT-DCSS. Staff really got behind TEAM FIT and added many fun ideas and activity to keep us all focused on being active, improving healthy eating and reducing stress. We had daily walk groups, a 600 mile walking/biking challenge and a newsletter that included healthy recipes and status updates on the many health and wellness activities within the office. One event included a group of DCSS employees who created a 13-week TEAM FIT weight loss challenge. In that first challenge I lost over 14 pounds, ran a 10k for the first time and felt better than I'd felt in years. Having the support and camaraderie of my fellow employees was invaluable in the effort to lose weight and improve my health. By the second weight loss challenge the group had collectively lost over 125 pounds!!!
Wellness Program: What is your key to success?
Jill: Goal setting and commitment to those goals. It is so easy to fall off track, especially when you are not clear on where exactly you are going. Setting solid, measurable goals and having unfailing commitment to meeting them is key for me.
Wellness Program: What types of activities do you participate in that support your health?
Jill: We are still doing quarterly weight loss challenges in the office which helps keep me on track with nutrition. In addition to running and hiking, I have signed up for 12 months of bootcamps in my local town (along with 3 other employees in my office!). It's easier to get out of bed for 5:30am bootcamp when you know other people are waiting for you. And I make sure to set aside time every week to laugh and spend valuable time with my family and friends.
Wellness Program: What does wellness mean to you?
Jill: For me it's all about rhythm and balance. It can be a struggle to find that sweet spot in life where your commitment to your work, your family/friends, your home, your community, your financial future, and your personal health all balance out to bring you peace and happiness.
Wellness Program: Can you offer some advice to others hoping to accomplish a weight loss goal?
Jill: Figure out what you want first, then go for it!
Wellness Program: Any favorite quote or mantra?
Jill: Interest in something means you do it when it's convenient. Commitment to something means you just do it, no matter what.
Wellness Program: Any other interesting things you would like to share?
Jill: TEAM FIT-DCSS has three teams in Thrive Across America this year, each with its own team goals for the challenge:
- TEAM FIT-DCSS 60/7 has committed to 60 minutes/day for 7 days a week
- TEAM FIT-DCSS 30/7 has committed to 30 minutes/day for 7 days a week
- TEAM FIT-DCSS 30/5 has committed to 30 minutes/day for 5 days a week
Creating these three teams has allowed 22 staff members from our department and few others, to participate and celebrate the challenge together as a unit, even with our varying goals. It has been a blast to participate in this challenge with all the other county teams as well. Seeing everyone's progress, their pictures and their successes on the same tracking site everyday makes the activity fun! Even if I do sometimes find myself on the treadmill at 10:00 pm trying to get my last 30 minutes in for the day - it's worth it!
Way to go Jill!
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