Special to the Star-Herald
Many readers may be wondering exactly what the Northeast Publishing Wellness Team banner on the bottom of your back page is all about. Yes it is colorful, yes it is fun, but it is also showing the community that we as a company are supporting and participating in EMHS’s (Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems) Move and Improve wellness program.
The program is designed to last 12 weeks, and it encourages participants to do physical activity for at least four out of the seven days a week for 30 minutes a day, or five days a week for 45 minutes a day. Each member is encouraged to keep track of their progress on an online journal. In addition to this, a few volunteers and staff members at The Aroostook Medical Center have gone into the work place to evaluate employees’ overall health including screening of weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels.
Every new year most people make the resolution to lose weight and get fit. Some do it for aesthetic reasons, others do it to improve their health. This program encourages the follow-through of this resolution.
The Move and Improve Coalition has been more than willing to help out and answer any questions as well as help and create a wellness program that is easy to maintain during our busy lives. Whether the goal is to lose weight, lower cholesterol, or just become more active, they are here to assist and encourage participants along their journey.
This is not just a temporary or seasonal activity, this is to promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle that can be easily maintained. The Web site they have developed allows the community and registered members to chart their progress (which can also be done offline), receive information on fitness and wellness, check out dates that group activities are scheduled, and it also allows you to contact them with any questions or suggestions that you may have.
So far there are over 6,500 participants and there are six weeks left. Good job team and community, keep up the good work!
To see what it is all about, or to participate, go to www.moveandimprove.org.
