Governor's Stay Active Challenge! Time to Register

Governor’s Stay Active Challenge!  Time to Register.

Registration starts TODAY, Monday June 24.  

Go to http://benefits.mt.gov/governorschallenge.mcpx to register. 

Mark your calendar - our fabulous kickoff event is on July 1! See below for details.

Why should I do it?

The Governor’s Stay Active Challenge is an 8-week physical activity challenge for people of ALL fitness levels.  Not fun, you say?  Untrue!  You will be amazed by how much fun you have and more importantly, how the Stay Active Challenge will help you make your health a priority in your busy life.

So, the best reward is better health.  There’s more, you say? Why yes, we do have more!  We have great prizes to motivate us this year!  T-shirts for everyone, gift certificates and presents from our great sponsors, hydration packs, rolling coolers, fleece gear, umbrellas…

NEW!

1.     There is NO CHARGE to participate!  Everyone who joins gets a t-shirt, registration, and a pedometer (if they need one) for NO COST.

2.     There is no limit on team size this year – that means you can participate as one, or as many.  All are welcome who are covered by the State of Montana health plan – employees, spouses, dependents, retirees, legislators…

3.     It’s EASY!  Our step entry system will be on the regular Internet and accessible from anywhere, anytime. 

4.     Each person will enter their own steps into the system – team captains are off the hook.

5.     It’s FUN!  We have a GREAT kickoff event planned (see below).  There will be more opportunities to get to know your fellow participants with weekly group physical activity opportunities.  Sign up to talk to a coach one-on-one.  Plus our much-loved weekly challenges and recipes.

6.     There are LOTS of PRIZES.

Join us for the challenge opening!

Helena - July 1 - 9am-2pm - Capitol Rotunda*

·       A message from the Governor at 10 a.m. (stretch session at 9:30)

·       A walk around the Capitol with the Governor 

·       Booths

·       Activities

·       Prizes

·       Giveaways

·       Much more!

*Not in Helena?  Thanks to our Wellness Champions, we have “mini events” planned in two other locations.  Make sure and come meet your fellow participants, get a walk, and register to win prizes!

·       Deer Lodge** – Montana State Prison

Cynthia Davenport – 406-846-1320 ext. 2229

July 1, 1 p.m.

Meet in the lobby of the Wallace Building

·       Missoula** – Palmer Complex

Suzanne Habbe – 406-329-5461 shabbe@mt.gov or Jessica Worthy Casey jcasey@mt.gov

July 1, 10 a.m.

Meet at the Palmer Complex in the parking log between 2675 and 2677 buildings

2675 Palmer St., Missoula, MT

**Not in either of these locations either?  Send us the location you want to meet and the time, and we’ll invite others to join you.

The Governor’s Stay Active Challenge is a FUN, EASY way to inspire ourselves to stay healthy!  We hope you can join us. http://benefits.mt.gov/governorschallenge.mcpx  

Once you’ve registered, stay tuned.  You will get instructions about how to get started in July 1.

Questions:

benefitsquestions@mt.gov

(406) 444-7462

(800) 287-8266

(406) 444-1421 (TTY)

Governor's Stay Active Challenge!

June 2013

Dear State of Montana Employees and Retirees:

I am pleased to present the first ever Governor’s Stay Active Challenge. 

In partnership with the Health Care and Benefits Division and the Live Life Well State of Montana Wellness Programs, this challenge asks each of us to make health a priority in our lives and our work.  I encourage each and every one of you to participate this year, and hope you can join me on July 1^st at the Capitol Rotunda to kick off the Governor’s Stay Active Challenge.

In Health,

STEVE BULLOCK

Governor

**********

Governor’s Stay Active Challenge!

Mark your calendar, it’s finally here! The Governor’s Stay Active Challenge (formerly Spring Fitness) will run from July 1- August 25, 2013.  What to do NOW – let us know team names.  See number 6, below.

 

NEW!

1.     There is NO CHARGE to participate!

2.     It’s EASY!  Our step entry system will be on the regular Internet and accessible from anywhere, anytime. 

3.     Each person will enter their own steps into the system – team captains are off the hook.

4.     It’s FUN!  We have a GREAT kickoff event planned (see below).  There will be more opportunities to get to know your fellow participants with weekly group physical activity opportunities.  Sign up to talk to a coach one-on-one.  Plus our much-loved weekly challenges and recipes.

5.     There are LOTS of PRIZES.

6.     The teams must be pre-loaded into the system.  If you have a specific team name that you’d like to have added, you MUST let us know by June 14, 2013 by clicking here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/teamnames13.  

7.     Stay tuned for more details (like how to register) VERY SOON!

Join us for the challenge opening!

Helena - July 1 - 9am-2pm - Capitol Rotunda 

·       A message from the Governor at 10 a.m.

·       A walk around the Capitol with the Governor 

·       Booths

·       Activities

·       Prizes

·       Giveaways

·       Much more!

The Governor’s Stay Active Challenge is a FUN, EASY way to inspire ourselves to stay healthy!  We hope you can join us. http://benefits.mt.gov/governorschallenge.mcpx  

Stay Tuned!  There will be more details coming soon that should answer most of your questions! 

Questions:

benefitsquestions@mt.gov

(406) 444-7462

(800) 287-8266

(406) 444-1421 (TTY)

Live Life Well!

Thank you for your help!

Thank you to those of you who filled out our survey and gave feedback on our new wellness program slogan!  We are pleased to announce that in a VERY close vote (993 for the winning logo – without the punctuation – and 931 and 783 for the two runners up), your new slogan is “Live Life Well.” 

When you see this logo and slogan, it is referring to all the excellent resources that are available through Cigna, CareHere, Delta Dental, and Health Care and Benefits Division.  Check out all the details at: www.benefits.mt.gov/wellness.mcpx.

Congratulations to the winners of the water bottles:

Jo Grossman ~ Kimberly Lemmon ~ Linda Corcoran ~ Sherri Row ~ Lynne Coon ~ Julie Dietrich-Kelly

Just a reminder about some of the fun to be had:

·        Our fitness challenge, previously known as Spring Fitness, is getting a face-lift and is moving into July.  More to come on that soon! 

·        We are working on the details for a “mini” activity challenge that may be available as soon as May.

·        Our next Healthy BINGO game will begin on June 17.

·        We are recruiting Wellness Champions and would like to find representatives from each agency and location around the State.  If you are interested in more information about the Wellness Champion Network, click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wellchampion. 

·        We are wrapping up our first Healthy BINGO game this week, and the Strive For Five Challenge is currently underway: http://benefits.mt.gov/wellness.mcpx. 

For more information please contact:

State of Montana Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program
(406) 444-7462
(800) 287-8266

(406) 444-1421 (TTY)

 

How to Commute Clinic

Dear Helena-area employees & families,

Interested in the idea of biking or walking to work or school, but not sure it will work for you? 

How to Commute Clinic: Bike Walk Helena is hosting an informational clinic for beginning commuters April 26, 12 p.m. at Women’s Park with tips on commuter safety and what gear to use.

Open Streets: The next Open Streets event is scheduled for Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Two blocks of Last Chance Gulch will be closed to motorists and open to a whole array of activities, including Zumba, Irish Dancing, CrossFit demonstration, live music, food, bike polo, bike soccer, a bike decorating contest, kids’ foot race and more. View the calendar for more information www.bikewalkhelena.org

Walk to the Capitol Day: Friday, May 17, Bike Walk Helena will be having a morning walk from the City-County Building on Park Avenue to the Capitol, beginning at 7:15 a.m. There will be a special prize drawing at the Capitol for anyone who participates in the walk. The special prize is Blackfoot Brewery jersey and bicycle tune-up from Big Sky Cycling.

Registration is now open for the May Commuter Challenge at www.bikewalkhelena.org  

Questions?

Melinda Barnes

(406) 438-5368

melinda@bikewalkmontana.org

P.S. There is a national commuter challenge as well, if anyone outside Helena is interested: http://www.endomondo.com/campaign/national.

May VitaMin

Every month we get a “VitaMin” (vital information in a minute) e-mail from Cigna with good information and a healthy recipe. This month's recipe is "Baked Ziti with Summer Vegetables" and the topic is "Spending Time With Friends is Time Well Spent." 

You can find it at www.benefits.mt.gov/wellness.mcpx, scroll down under "Staying Healthy."

Please feel free to forward or use as you see fit.
Enjoy!

We Need Your Help!

You might have noticed…our State of Montana Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program has an expanded list of fun benefits this year, and there is more to come!

This year, in addition to the great resources available through Cigna, CareHere and Delta Dental, we are also adding lots of fun ways to stay healthy every day. Here are our plans to date:
• We are currently running the first of three Healthy Bingo games: http://benefits.mt.gov/healthybingo.mcpx.
• The Strive For Five Challenge will begin soon: http://benefits.mt.gov/striveforfive.mcpx.
• Our fitness challenge, previously known as Spring Fitness, is getting a face-lift and is moving into the summer. Lots more to come on that very soon!
• We will have “mini” activity challenges available, likely starting in May.
• Plus there will be more fun activities later in the fall!
• We will be recruiting Wellness Champions and would like to find representatives from each agency and location around the State. If you are interested in more information about the Wellness Champion Network, click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wellchampion

Now is where you can help!

Since this is YOUR wellness program, we want your feedback on a slogan that will reflect what we are working on together and what represents our program for the future. We have narrowed our choices to the top three. Tell us which one you like best, and you can enter to win one of six Camelbak water bottles!

Ready to vote? Click here! We promise, this will take one minute or less. Thanks in advance for your input!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SOMHELPslogan

For more information please contact:
State of Montana Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program
(406) 444-7462
(800) 287-8266
(406) 444-1421 (TTY)

NEW! Wellness Challenges are coming!

NEW! Healthy Bingo and Strive For Five Challenges are coming!
Are you looking for easy, fun ways to stay healthy? Would you like to have a chance to win great prizes? If so, we have some new and exciting challenges for you this year.

Healthy Bingo is simple, fun, and easy, and will begin in late March. Mark off squares as you do the activity listed to get a “Bingo,” and return your card to be entered into a drawing for prizes! Strive for Five is also simple, fun and easy, and will begin in early April. Keep track of how many servings of fruits and vegetables you get and turn in your completed entry form for a chance at still more great prizes.

Look for details on both these challenges very soon, or let us know if you are interested and we’ll add you to our mailing list right now. We will be sending more information very soon, but if you want to take the challenge just e-mail: benefitsquestions@mt.gov with your name, e-mail and mailing address.