This newest contest is being held by my current employer, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and it is called Just Move It. Instead of the individual "Outwork the Boss" contest in 2009, however, this one involves a team.
Just Move It is a competition between teams of UAH faculty, staff, students and alumni, in which everyone sets a goal (in minutes per week) for themselves and strives to reach it. By reaching weekly goals, attending the occasional lunch-time health seminars, and a few other bonus activities (such as getting at least 6 hours of sleep a night and wearing your seatbelt 100% of the time), teams accumulate points that can earn prizes and possibly the President’s Cup for the year.
My department, Professional and Continuing Studies, has a team and we are called the PCS Powerhouse. And guess who the team captain is... ME! I am so pumped!
The real excitement for me is not really in winning anything, although that is certainly fun. I hope to be able to actually help my teammates reach their fitness and health goals and to realize the ability and potential in themselves. Too often I see people limiting themselves with phrases such as, "I could never do that," and I always want to ask, "why not?"
I will never understand why so many people assume failure before they've even tried. As someone who is average, ordinary and regular, I have tried all kinds of things that seemed almost impossible. Almost. I'd like to influence a change in that failure-mindset so many have. I want people to know they do NOT have to settle for being less than they want to be, and if being strong, healthy and fit is one of those things, then I want them to believe in themselves and go get it.
I'm not sure who all will join the team. At the moment I have four others besides myself and I would love to see that triple in size. I'd love for people to let go of their inhibitions and insecurities and just give it a go. I wish they could see how totally worth it this would be, and to see the success and the life changes taking place before they'd even begun.
I can't force anyone, but I intend to encourage and pray for the opportunity to help. I think this could be great for many of them. If they would just move it!
I needed to read this post today. I actually watched an entire workout DVD this morning. Nope, you didn't read that wrong. I watched it. I sat in my recliner, eating Cap'n Crunch, and WATCHED a workout DVD.
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to just move it.
That is funny. You know, I've gotten dressed to run, walked outside and just stood there for a few minutes and then gone back inside. :) I've even gone to the gym and done the same thing. Some days you just don't have it.
ReplyDeleteOr you may be choosing the wrong activity. Do you LIKE workout videos? If so, it was just Cap'n Crunch:1, Video:0. But if you don't, you might want to find something you do like! That makes it easier to "just move it." ;)
This sounds VERY much like the program we just concluded in Dec 2010. The goal in min per week, the bonus activities (good sleep, etc..), and various other incentives, teams according to your group at work, etc.. I wonder if someone there coordinated with the girl here who does our exercise programs? I helped her design our 2010 program, and I'm the one who suggested "get x hrs of sleep each night"... along with "take a vitamin each day", and "drink 8 glasses of water each day", and a few others. Do you enter your daily minutes of exercise online? We actually won money, according to the total number of points we got!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the contest!!! I'll be thinking "Just Move It" all day on Saturday! :-)
Kristi
I'm not sure who put the program together, but we have all those things you mentioned (except the vitamin one). Seat belt, sleep, water, and a ton of others that I would not have thought about in regards to health and fitness, but can see how they fit in with one's overall well-being.
ReplyDeleteWe do not get money, but there are all kinds of prizes given every two weeks for point accumulation.
Jane, You will be a great team captain. Can't wait to hear how you motivate your team. This sounds like a great idea for January too. So many people set the resolution to get in shape but don't know where to begin.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie! I am pretty excited! As of right now, we have 8 people on our team!
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