WINTER 2012
New Year’s Resolutions… We’re Here to Help! It’s that time of year when many of us start making lists of things we’d like to do to improve our health. Before you overwhelm yourself with numerous, unreachable goals, consider these tips: Be realistic: Breaking down a large, long term goal into smaller, more manageable ones will help keep you focused and build your confidence.
Living Well member update
Focus on behaviours, not outcomes: ‘Losing weight’ isn’t a goal but committing to a 30 minute walk on your treadmill every day after dinner is.
goals with news, events and
Build the behaviour change into your daily routine: For example, if drinking more fluids is a goal of yours, part of your plan might be to take a bottle of water in your car and take a sip at every red light. Once you have a good idea of where you’d like to start, let us support you in your change! If you are interested in quitting smoking, check out our Kick Butt! program which has the highest success rate of any smoking cessation program in Manitoba. If weight loss is on your list, consider joining a Fitter.Firmer.Faster team, visiting our dietitian, or booking a session with one of our Certified Personal Trainers. There are also many free programs listed in our Positively Healthy brochure that may help you meet one or more of your health goals. Not sure where to start? Chat with one of our Wellness Consultants in the gym or book a free Personal Wellness Plan to re-evaluate your current plan and develop a new one to get you on the right track!
helps to connect your wellness programs at the Wellness Institute.
www.wellness institute.ca
This issue includes: FREE Support
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15 Years on the Books
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Wellness happenings
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and more....
MEmber Update: Wellness Institute At Seven Oaks General Hospital
FREE suppor t
for Healthy Lifestyle Change Wellness Institute is launching a new program
FREEway to Wellness
to make it easier for people with health challenges to find support for healthy living. FREEway to Wellness is, as the name suggests, a free program that provides the basics on how to get physically active, eat well, and make positive lifestyle changes, regardless of their starting point.
Come learn the basics of healthy living, including physical activity and nutrition, and get a personal recommendation on how to start making some positive lifestyle changes based on where you’re at right now.
This program, offered monthly starting in January, will guide participants toward the appropriate supports available to help them navigate the road to healthy living. Whether that’s education or exercise programs at the Wellness Institute, an individual program at home or education and activity supports elsewhere in the community, the group sessions coupled with personalized recommendations will go a long way in helping people get on the right track. Executive Director Casie Nishi says the Wellness is offering the FREEway to Wellness program because there are many people either living with chronic conditions or wanting to make changes to their health behaviours who don’t know what their options are. “We are a medical fitness facility and we want
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to make sure we reach people with health challenges, like diabetes or high blood pressure, who need some guidance.” Wellness Institute offers many other free programs, such as diabetes education and a six-week Get Better Together! program for anyone living with a chronic disease (available at more than a dozen locations in Winnipeg). “Purchasing a membership to our gym isn’t the only way to get help,” Nishi says. “The gym programs are something we do well and are proud of but not everyone needs to come to 1075 Leila to be healthy.”
FREE
Upcoming sessions: Tue, Feb 14, 1:00-2:30 pm Mon, Mar 19, 7:00-8:30 pm
Motivate Yourself to Move
FREE
People get involved in exercise for a number of reasons… what’s yours? Improve your health and physical condition? Relieve tension from the stresses of daily life? Lose weight? Regardless of your reason, join us to boost your motivation and learn practical ways to overcome barriers that keep you from achieving your physical activity goals. Tue, Feb 7, 7:00-8:30 pm
Finding Time for Healthy Eating
FREE
Come join a Registered Dietitian and discover some great tips on grocery shopping, meal preparation, portion control and more. Thu, Mar 8, 7:00-8:30 pm
The Wellness Institute Get Expert ur Support for yo e: g an h Lifestyle C 632-3900 ice s Nutritional Serv ng ni ai Tr al on rs Pe he s Weight Loss Coac
Wins International Award! Wellness Institute is pleased to be recognized by the International Council of Active Aging as a leader in healthy aging, and is proud to be the recipient of the 2011 Bronze Rebranding Aging Award. This award was based on the 2011 Active Aging Day held at the facility in September. As an ICA A award winner, Wellness Institute will be featured in an upcoming article in the International Journal of Active Aging.
NEW at the Wellness Institute in 2012‌ Functional Movement Screening
Meet one on one with our staff to assess 7 basic movements and find out how to improve your mobility and reduce your risk of injury. When the screening is complete your weakest links and areas of imbalance will be identified. Corrective exercise follow-up will be available for those who are interested, including a brief assessment and exercise prescription to target your areas of weakness. This screening is ideal for anyone involved in regular activity and wanting to prevent injuries or flare ups of chronic injuries.
We would like to welcome two recent additions to our rehab staff: Melanie Talastas and Kerry St. George Melanie Talastas is a Certified Athletic Therapist who graduated from the University of Winnipeg Kinesiology program. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer and is available for those of you requiring assistance and motivation in a fitness or weight loss program. Kerry St. George is a graduate of the University of Manitoba Physiotherapy program. Her preferred area of practice is in orthopedic musculoskeletal therapy. Kerry completed a Masters of Clinical Science in Manipulation (advanced hands on therapy) at the University of Western Ontario and is also certified in acupuncture.
If you are currently experiencing musculoskeletal injuries, aches or pains we invite you to stop by our newly renovated clinic for some first class therapy from Melanie, Kerry or any one of our other therapists.
Living Well winter 2012
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15 Years in the Books! The Wellness Institute is proud to have reached another significant milestone in our history – 15 years of providing health and wellness services to the community. We first opened our doors on October 17, 1996. The place was a little different back then… fewer machines, a smaller complement of staff and a shorter list of programming. Our mission remained the same, however, and by staying true to our core values we’ve been able to grow into the organization we are today. In November we were fortunate to gather over 200 members for a group photo and a coffee and chat to follow. We took the opportunity to ask what keeps our members coming through our doors each day and one strong theme emerged. Not surprisingly, it was based around the people and the sense of community that has developed within the walls of our organization. Judy Winnicky speaks highly of the connections she’s made at the Wellness Institute. “I’ve met a ton of wonderful people here who have helped me through some difficult times. It truly seems like we are all part of one big family and that keeps me coming back!” Rina Weiszner agrees. “The camaraderie amongst members creates a very congenial atmosphere.”
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Paul Hope recognizes that the diversity of the people makes the place special. “I like the fact that there are lots of different ‘types’ of people – young, old, fit, those trying to be fit.” Susan Prohaska, who’s been coming to the Wellness for 15 years, concisely summed up what so many others were saying – “Wellness is my second family.” As we celebrate 15 years of Wellness, we tip our hats to all of our members who have made us a part of your lives. Regardless of your reason for coming, you’ve made a choice to bring health and wellness into your life and we’re glad that you’ve chosen to do that with us!
162 of our rs original membe from 1996 are still active ! members today
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Wellness happenings Interested in...
what’s been going on around the building? Here’s a breakdown of some of the recent projects we’ve been working on: Hot water boiler replacement – Our old hot water boilers were replaced with new high efficiency units. The installation of these boilers took several weeks and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.
Crawlspace – Although the crawlspace is rarely seen by members and most staff, it is a part of the building that needs repair to improve ventilation, decrease humidity for maintenance workers, and prevent the possibility of water leaking in. Renovation work is underway and will continue over the winter.
Preventative Therapy Pool and Whirlpool Maintenance – Preventative maintenance was done on our pool mechanical system in December. Although we schedule pool shut down for preventative maintenance twice a year, the scope of this repair was more significant and required a longer shut down. Correcting the problem in its early stages will prevent a much longer period of pool closure in the future.
3 Hour Parking
New to the Wellness Institute – jacobs ladder
Wellness employees are not permitted to use the lot and hospital employees who are members are only allowed to use the Wellness member lot while they are accessing the gym.
This unique piece of fitness equipment was installed in October and is the best low-impact training tool on the market today! It emulates sprinting or stair climbing without incurring the high impact on joints, making it an ideal cardio machine for those coming back from an injury. Universities and professional sports teams have also found the Jacobs Ladder to be the ultimate fitness experience as its unique design allows for both aerobic and high intensity anaerobic workouts..
We are optimistic that this new policy will help to lessen parking challenges, especially during our peak times and seasons.
Why not give it a try and add variety to your workout?
Wellness Institute has been diligently tracking parking lot use in order to preserve capacity for member use at peak times, and it appears as though some members are parking for up to 8 hours and aren’t actually in the facility. In an effort to eliminate unauthorized parking and preserve capacity for all members accessing the facility, we have instituted a new 3 hour parking policy. You are still more than welcome to stay at the facility for longer than 3 hours; you will just need to register your vehicle at the front desk. Vehicles that aren’t registered and are in the lot for longer than 3 hours will be ticketed and/or towed.
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Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Let’s...
upcoming... JANUARY Sunday Afternoon Skis
FREE
Dig out, dust off or rent some cross-country skis for this one! Join us every Sunday on the groomed trails at Bird’s Hill Park. Get out and enjoy the winter instead of hibernating through it! Call Paul at 632-3931 for more details Sun, Jan 15-Feb 25, 12:00 pm
Sunday Morning Group Runs
FREE
Join us for a group run departing from the Wellness front doors. Sign up required. Call Paul at 632-3931 for more details. Sun, Jan 15-Apr 29, 8:00am -9:00am
FEBRUARY Matters of the Heart
FREE
Join Dr. Neal Lerner for an in depth discussion about hypertension and learn how to manage the silent killer disease. You may also partake in free blood pressure readings, exercise and relaxation breaks and more! Tue, Feb 14, 9:00am -12:00 pm
100 Miles… Are you For Riel?
Come join us for our 3rd Annual 100 Mile Louis Riel Day Stationary Bike Ride – you decide how far you want to go! 14 Spinning bike spots and 50 bike and trainer spots available. Call Paul at 632-3931 to register. $5 Mon, Feb 20, 8:00am set up 8:30am ride
MARCH 23rd Annual Cerebral Palsy Association Stationary Bike Race
Last year this event raised a total of $155,482 to help provide equipment and support for affected individuals. There are 14 riders per team and each participant rides for 25 minutes. If you’re interested in joining the 2012 Wellness Team, please contact Nanci at 632-3927. Sat, Mar 10
APRIL Taking Control of Diabetes: What’s in Your Toolkit?
FREE
Join us for exhibits, samples, prizes and more. Sun, Apr 29
Invite a friend or family member to join you in making Wellness part of their day! Fri, May 11th Tue, June 12th Mon, July 16th Sat, August 18th
Wednesdays, Jan 25-Feb 29, 1:00-3:30pm Wellness Institute, 1075 Leila Ave Tuesdays, Feb 7-Mar 13, 6:00-8:30pm Reh-Fit Centre, 1390 Taylor Ave Wednesdays, Jan 25-Feb 29, 1:30-4:00pm Health & Social Services Centre, 3401 Roblin Blvd Wednesdays, Feb 8-March 21, 1:00-3:30pm Youville St. Vital, 6-845 Dakota St Tuesdays, Feb 7-Mar 13, 1:00-3:30pm Klinic, 870 Portage Ave Tuesdays, Jan 24-Feb 28, 1:00-3:30pm Access Transcona, 845 Regent Ave Mondays, Feb 6-March 26, 1:00-3:30pm (no class Feb 20) Youville St. Boniface, 33 Marion St
Guest Days 2012 Fri, January 13th Wed, February 22nd Sat, March 17th Thu, April 12th
Free Winter Programs for Living Better with any Chronic Condition
Thu, September 13th Tue, October 16th Wed, November 14th Fri, December 14th
Fort Garry Location and Times TBA For updates on location details, visit www.wellnessinstitute.ca/gbtdates or call the Wellness Institute at 632-3927
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Living Well is a Wellness Institute member publication Contact us at: 1075 Leila Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2P 2W7 632-3900 • info@wellnessinstitute.ca • www.wellness institute.ca
FREE
EVENT
Matters of the Heart 113. Thursday, February 9:00am – 12:00pm
14th
Heart Health Matters! Keynote with Dr. Lerner: 9:30 – 10:30am “What’s the Hype with Hypertension?”
Join Dr. Neal Lerner for an in depth discussion about hypertension and learn how to manage the ‘silent killer’ disease. Event registration required (as space may be limited). Call 632-3900 for details.
Plus join us for free blood pressure readings, exercise and relaxation breaks and more.