Annual Change is HERE! Attend a Presentation for VERY IMPORTANT CHANGES

Hi everyone,
Just a heads up in case you haven't heard - annual change has begun!  You really need to attend an annual change presentation this year - what you don't know CAN hurt your pocketbook!  Click here for the schedule: http://www.benefits.mt.gov/pages/annual.change.html

Pictures from the Stay Active Challenge!

Check out these wonderful pictures from your fellow participants!

Stay Active Challenge Pictures - 2013

“Camping at the Capital.”

Our group is (left to right): Ryan Bahnmiller, Chris Bacon, Amy Dominick, Liz Lee (back), Yvette Englert. (Glenna McClure not pictured)

As a team, we all enjoy Montana’s beautiful outdoors, in different ways. Ryan’s favorite activity is fishing, Chris’s is hiking, Amy’s is trail biking, Liz’s is ultimate Frisbee, Yvette’s is camping!

 

Blister Sisters Walking and Blister Sisters Cramping

Stephanie Grover Walks in the Rain

 

Wayward Wanderers

 

Denise Gjerde’s Team Mascot – Indy

 

Brett Wall at the Top of Mt. Baldy and Huckleberry picking

I have my "Live Life Well" shirt on! I just hiked to the top of MT Baldy 9462 feet elevation. My hiking partner (not a Stay Active member) said "We had a great time hiking"!

 

Hiked up Big Mountain Huckleberry Picking

 

DPHHS Billings (VR) team: Sharon Moore, Astghik Iknatian, Larissa Forseth, and LeAnn Aders. Missing from the photo are Sally Sjaastad, Jen Bernhardt, Mark Mahnke, and Nellie Tandy. 

 

Cynthia Davenport says, "The MSP Highwall Walkers, to close out the 8 week Stay Active challenge, enjoyed instruction in POUND, a full-body cardio jam session, combining light resistance with constant simulated drumming.  The class was taught by High wall walker Wanda Hislop’s daughter Michelle Post who owns a Dance and Fitness studio in Hamilton,MT. Michelle is the first certified instructor in POUND in Montana and we were her first class. It was a blast to see how fun physical fitness can be and the variety of options open to each of us. http://www.poundfit.com/."

Jeannie Keller at the finish of the York 38 Special

 

Renee Collinson says, “This was taken on one of the ice walls on Mt. Adams.”

 

Rick Bush ready for the Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club metric century bike ride (100 kilometers or in this case 67 miles)

 

Jeff Bollman says, “this is a picture that was taken of me during the Freedom Marathon on 6 July 2013 in Gresham, OR. I ran 4 marathons in 4 days starting on 7/4. And then ran the Missoula Marathon on Sunday on the way home after a vacation on the Oregon coast.”

 

*WINNER!*Amy Ophus says, “Here are some pictures of an event that team Cake did for the Governor’s challenge. A friend of mine made up this game but we altered it slightly and renamed it Cakeball. Basically it is similar to volleyball, except we use a big Pilates ball on a tennis court, and we are allowed to kick the ball in addition to using our arms and hands to get it over the net. It was our first time playing together and we each came out of it with about 7,500 extra steps. It was a blast and we all committed to playing it together every couple of weeks while the weather is still good. So far so good! (Back row, left to right) Emily Klungtvedt, Katie Guenther, Robin Sayler, (Front, left to right) Shaunda Wilson, Amy Ophus

 Stacy Knickerbocker says, “This is a picture from the Missoula Half Marathon (July 14^th).  This was my 11^th Half Marathon that I have completed since 2010 and my best race time to date, finishing in 2 hours 20 minutes.  I love running half marathons because it shows how far I have come.”

 

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!