Joy Cooper named March Fittest Employee of the Month

April 17, 2015

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Rico Willis 91��Ƭ †presents Joy Cooper 91��Ƭ †with a gift basket 91��Ƭ †for being named 91��Ƭ?s Fittest Employee 91��Ƭ †of the Month 91��Ƭ †for March. 91��Ƭ †To receive this award, an employee must 91��Ƭ †be caught practicing 91��Ƭ †overt wellness behavior and attitude. 91��Ƭ †

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The Wellness Committee is on the lookout for an April recipient!

Here's a message from Joy regarding her 91��Ƭ †personal wellness plan?

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I must confess I?m the mom that sends her kids in for birthday cake and ice cream at birthday parties. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †Additionally, I encourage them to return with the corner cake piece! 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †My boys do not like cake and detest icing. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †It?s my weakness that is masking behind the guise of resourcefulness of not wanting food to go to waste so I?ll just have to eat the cake.

Blessed with a high metabolism, the college years were an awaking that the pounds did not melt away as easily as before and I knew my fitness level needed to improve. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †In the past 20+ years I?ve sweated through Step Aerobics, Tae Bo, Boot Camp, P90X and other fitness crazes. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †I?m typical of my generation and believe strongly in the power of workout videos ?..although they are much more effective when used on a regular basis 91��Ƭ †J!!

All in all, I have some weaknesses that maintains a tighter grip on my fitness level that I would like, but I try to manage those with reasonable adjustments. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †As the years tick by I have learned to practice some of the 91��Ƭ †tricks below that help to maintain a balance between work, family and fitness.

I try to follow the 80/20 rule ? 80% ?good? food choices and 20% ?bad? food choices. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †What do I consider bad? 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †Basically any food choice that contains a high amount of carbohydrates and/or saturated fat.

There is an old adage of 91��Ƭ †eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen, and dinner like a pauper when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †This is a system I?ve found to be effective.

Identify your weaknesses and work in solutions. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †If the cake and ice cream are consumed, recognized something else has to ?give? later. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †As Dr. Seabourne one said, ?You cannot chase calories with exercise?. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †One simply cannot run that much. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †Actions have consequences, so cake and ice cream means cutting back on calories within the next 24 hours plus an extra lap or two around the track. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †I must say, sometimes it?s worth it!

Water, water, water! 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †For me, 8 glasses a day is only the beginning. My goal is a gallon of water each day. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †Some will feel that is too much, and it may be, but it works for me.

∑ 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †Make your next sandwich using iceberg lettuce in lieu of bread. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †My favorite wrap is turkey and provolone cheese, with real mayo, wrapped in a large iceberg lettuce leaf.

Fresh fruit is great, but I have learned to mix almonds, peanut butter or cheese in order to provide enough protein to off-set the sugar that is in fruit

Find an exercise routine that works for you. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †I have participated in numerous fitness routines and fads, but always keep active with one thing or another. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †Jogging is my favorite, but my knees are no longer as agreeable; therefore, I try to alternate other workout routines and recognize the benefits of variation.

Build fish into at least one meal a week.

Utilize the campus FIT center. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †Northeast employees are very fortunate to have constant access to a great fitness center.

Commit to getting enough sleep. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †This has been another challenge for me and I rely on melatonin as the solution to ensuring 7 hours of sleep each night.

Working within an academic environment is rewarding because it provides a great opportunity to recognize the physiological and psychological benefits good health affords. 91��Ƭ † 91��Ƭ †Health is a need and I am motivated by my colleagues and profession to consistently work at achieving the need for a healthy lifestyle.

Joy Cooper

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The PTA program was a good choice because this program is highly respected amongst professionals in this career field. I was provided with a solid foundation of knowledge that will give me a strong start as a physical therapist assistant. — Colton McDonald

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