Grand Rapids Human Resources

Spring is in the air!

2010-03-09T17:00:00.000-05:00

Fitness - If it came in a bottle, everybody would have a great body. -Cher
Now that the snow is melting and the temperature is warming up, it's hard not to feel that Spring is just around the corner! Time to get the walking shoes out, dust off the bike, get the gardening tools ready to go. If you can't afford a gym membership, but have a bicycle, going for a bike ride is a cheap alternative! Don't like the treadmill? Going for a walk with your spouse and/or your kids gives you a chance to not only get more healthy, but to spend some time connecting with your family. Whatever activity you choose, being active is the key.

Enjoy the warmer weather, have fun, and above all, stay safe! If you're out at night, make sure you have reflective clothing or carry something that can be seen.

November is here!

2009-11-05T14:07:00.001-05:00

October Health and Wellness month may be over, but that doesn't mean the healthy activities have to end! There are a variety of "mini session" fitness classes being offered to City employees in November/December to help you continue your fitness goals, or to get you started. If you're looking for more cardio, check out the Cardio Core and Cardio Kick. There is also Yoga, Pilates, Zumba and Walk & Tone or Step & Tone. Check Antfarm if you have access, or check on your department's Health &Wellness board to see what might fit your schedule.

If fitness classes don't seem to fit your schedule right now, don't worry - you can burn some calories raking leaves! You're in luck if you have a big tree or two in your yard, because raking leaves can burn 290 calories an hour.

Health & Wellness Month!

2009-10-05T10:47:00.002-04:00

This month we have so many activities relating to health & wellness. Each employee should have received a yellow flyer that has an October calendar listing all events. Check it out and participate in a class.

My Experiment

2009-08-11T11:41:00.003-04:00

I read an article that said to drink a full glass of water before every meal you eat, which I am going to do for the next two weeks. The article went on to say, not only do you eat less, but it's better for your digestion. I'll keep you posted on my experiment. :)

Do you have any interesting ideas you tried for improving your health that worked?

Vacation!

2009-07-17T17:38:00.004-04:00

Oh vacation, doesn't that sound nice? It's important to take a vacation and get away from the daily grind. Check out new places to eat, sites to see and people to meet. Some City employees have shared their vacation stories with me. . . . and sent the pictures to prove it.

Have you ever climbed the Sleeping Bear Dunes? Would you ever climb them?

Summer is Here

2009-06-24T08:48:00.003-04:00

Finally, we have nice, warm weather outside. Some would say it's too hot, but I say it's just right. Since it stays light longer we have more time to exercise outside. Have you tried taking a morning walk before work, or a walk just before dusk? If you have a dog to walk you have an instant workout buddy. :) To me, summer means fresh fruits & vegetables, golf, swimming, 5K walks and runs . . . . and vacation time!! What are your favorite activities during the summer?

Bike Blast!

2009-06-15T18:14:00.002-04:00

The City's Health Team dedicated the month of June as Bike Blast! What exactly is Bike Blast you ask? It's a time to ride your bike as much as possible throughout the month. Ride your bike to work, with a friend or with your kids. If you haven't been on a bicyle in awhile - now is the time to take it out, dust if off and ride away! Have you looked around lately to see how many people actually do this? Quite a few. Maybe their on to something. Check it out and let me know what you think.

P.S. Remember your helmet.

P.P.S. Yes - you can count the miles you ride on your walking log. :)

New Beginning

2009-06-01T12:00:00.000-04:00

June 1st . . . . mortgage payment due . . . and start of a new month (i.e. new beginning). Today I will re-dedicate myself to my exercise program. No more looking back and remembering the bad food I ate, or the days I skipped an exercise class. Today I cross the line and make a fresh start. If you don't have your health you have nothing. Health is so important - take care of it and work to improve it. Do you have health goals for this month?

Stair Program Fall 2008

2009-05-27T10:21:00.000-04:00

Hey check out these pics from our Stair Program last fall. Many city employees took part in this challenge and it paid-off. Doing stairs is a good habit to start. I'm glad to see the good weather because exercising outdoors is what I enjoy the most. What did you think of the program?

Rain, rain, go away!

2009-05-27T08:48:00.000-04:00

I wanted to take a short power walk at noon, but it's raining and I don't have my umbrella. Hmmmm. Do I walk or don't I? Hey - the sun's out. The decision is made. . . . I walk! What would you do?

Take Time for a Walk

2009-05-20T20:44:00.000-04:00

Seeing the sunshine today and feeling the warm, light breeze I decided to begin my outdoor walks again. Enough of the indoor treadmill . . . I want to see the green grass, trees and new flowers in bloom. On my usual 4-mile walk I saw all of my favorite critters; fish, bunnies, birds and cats. Nothing feels more relaxing to me than talking a good, long walk outdoors on a beautiful day.

What is the average walk you take when exercising?