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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
E3 Newsletter Archives
You're Invited!
19th Annual Holstein 100
Thrive Across America Final Standings
Elise Loftin - Our August Wellness Champion
Quick Links
 
 
 
 

Wellness Champion of the Month



August Champion 
Elise Loftin
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!

 
Want to Read a Past Issue of the Wellness Newsletter?

 April 2012

 

May 2012

 

June 2012

 

July 2012

 

You're Invited!  
 
Come celebrate Thrive Across America 2012 and the E3 Wellness Program on Tuesday, August 14th.
 
In addition to awarding prizes, we'll also be giving away some GREAT RAFFLE PRIZES such as free gym memberships, wellness classes, gift certificates for outdoor fun and more!
 
When: Tuesday, August 14th
Time: 12:00-12:30
Where: Showcase Theater
Who: All County Employees, regardless of participation in Thrive

 

Calling all BIKERS and WALKERS/HIKERS

Join your West Marin colleagues
Have FUN supporting West Marin Senior Services

Sign up for the 19th Annual Holstein 100 Charity Bike and Walk Event on Saturday, August 18th 

County of Marin Employees Receive a Discount 
Use Code:  MOOMARIN 


OR

Call:  West Marin Senior Services at (415) 663-8148

 

Many distance options available!

Issue: #5
August 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 2012
Congratulations to all participants in this years Thrive Across America 8-week team competition! Collectively, we logged 1.13 million minutes of exercise and had over 190 people complete the route! 
 
We heard about teams exercising at lunch together, hosting healthy potluck lunches and how the camaraderie of Thrive was motivating and fun. With some starting a regular exercise routine for the first time and others maintaining their regimen, no matter where you fell on the exercise spectrum, your participation made a difference!

Great job to our top finishing Thrive Across America 2012 teams and individuals! We had an unbelievable four-way tie for 1st place! 

 

1st Place Team: Dream Team 

Azar Sebers, Bruce Baker, Eva Baker, Roy Toupin

  

1st Place Team: District 12 

Raquel Armas, Aletta Caballero, Monica Castillo, Miguel Garza, Elise Loftin, Michael Tarantino

  

1st Place Team: In it to Win It 

Judy Williams, Jayne Carpenter, Gale Jacobson, Vicki Nightingale

  

1st Place Team: Fast and Furious 

Joanne O'Grady, Eithne Bullick, Emma DeShazo, Becky Ng, Jock Smith, Pricilla VanLiew

 

Way to go to the following individuals who recorded the top total minutes of the competition:

 

10,925 minutes - Michelle Reed (Mystery Team)

 

10,023 minutes - Alex Dang (Adrenaline Junkies)

 

 8,920 minutes - Michelle Hardesty (Seven Samurai)


We will be drawing names for the following prize categories at the Celebration Event on 8/14.

  • 10 names of those who registered on the first day
  • 1 lucky randomly drawn team
Immunization and Prevention

Elise Loftin - August Wellness Champion!
  

 

Elise Loftin is an Eligibility Specialist at the Help Desk in the Department of Health and Human Services in Social Services.  In November, she will have worked for the County for 20 years!
 
Elise was nominated by colleagues who describe her as committed and courageous!  They also say:
"There was a time when Elise would go out alone at lunch to exercise. Little by littler her enthusiasm spread. Now our office is full of individuals that choose to use their lunch hour by walking, running, biking or going to the gym."
 
"Elise is an amazing athlete and role model! Aside from competing in various training events, she recently completed her 2nd Ironman!  She has also worked as a trainer for Team in Training. She inspires everyone around her."

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

Elise:  As I got into my 30's I started to feel a bit sluggish and wanted to do something fun for exercise.  I started training for marathons and then turned to triathlons for more of an adventure!

 

Wellness Program:  We hear you've completed your 2nd Ironman. Can you tell us more about this experience and how you got motivated for the challenge?

Elise:  I actually just completed by 3rd Ironman in June.  I train with a great group of people that keep me motivated.  Training for an Ironman is a lot of work and some days you may just not feel like training.  Having a great group of friends that you train with helps to keep you motivated. Knowing that your friends are waiting on you helps to get you up and going.  And training with friends makes your trainings seem a bit easier and a lot more fun! I usually look forward to my trainings with my friends. 

 

Wellness Program:  What is your key to success?

Elise:  A good support group of friends to train with and a goal to strive for.

 

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

Elise:  I love to swim and I bike, run and do group exercise classes. 

 

Wellness Program: What does wellness mean to you?

Elise:  Being active with a positive attitude and enjoying life. 

 

Wellness Program:  Can you offer some advice to others hoping to become more active?

Elise:  Working out with friends makes a workout fun. Also, having a goal to work towards, like a race, makes a difference. 

 

Wellness Program:  Any favorite quote or mantra?  

Elise:  My favorite quote is "You can keep going and your legs might hurt for a week or you can quit and your mind with hurt for a lifetime." - Mark Allen

And my mantra is 'Believe'.  I believe I can run a mile to I believe I can finish an Ironman!  I always believe I can do it! 

 

Way to go Elise!