Showcasing the success stories of Movecoach participants
What is mental health?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as ‘a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to her or his community’. Mental illness can impact anyone, of any age and background. Achieving and maintaining good mental health and well-being is important for everyone.
How common are mental health issues?
It is estimated that, 1 in 6 working age people can suffer from mental illness. Another 1/6 of the population can be affected by symptoms associated with mental ill health, such as worry, sleep problems and fatigue, which, while not meeting criteria for a diagnosed mental illness, will be affecting their ability to function at work.
Have a conversation:
It's okay to feel stressed out or unsure of how to cope with the daily demands on your plate. Keep a pulse on your heart rate, behavior, and mood. If you notice changes, have a conversation!
> Choose a trusted friend, coworker,
> Select a private and comfortable place and time
> Discuss the changes you’ve noticed
> (if you are having a conversation about another person's well-being) encourage them to talk openly. Don't complete sentences or jump in to provide a solution or opinion.
You have rights in the workplace. Read more about the US Equal Employment Opportunity Coalition and National Alliance of Mental Illness.
Take 5 simple steps toward better well-being:
1) MOVE : Exercise is a great way to release stress, improve your mood, and increase energy.
2) MINDFULNESS : Pay attention to the world around you. Focus on the present.
3) NUTRITION : Choose wholesome food choices, a colorful plate, and hydrate often.
4) GIVE : Perform acts of kindess. A simple gesture goes a long way for you and the reciever.
5) CONNECT : Increase the amount of positive relationships in your life. Reduce the negative and time consuming.
Like a lot of people, David has struggled for years with his weight. Now, he plays ice hockey and is making a concerted effort to move more. He's lost 50 pounds.
"I can see the difference," he says, "on the scale and in the mirror and in others' eyes."
In the Spotlight: Genentech
David Tesarowski
What prompted you to start working out? I've always struggled with my weight and have been on a roller coaster with diets and exercise regimens for decades. I've had one knee replaced and am about a year away from the second. Though active, I needed to do more to help with weight loss. Most importantly, my younger brother recently passed away from diabetes complications so my wife prompted me to make changes in my lifestyle so I don't have the same fate. Working out more was part of the equation. Being stronger would also help me with my other endevours! I've lost 50 pounds since our daughter's wedding in 2015, 30 since March!
What is the most rewarding part of moving more? Moving more is rewarding because I can see the difference on the scale and in the mirror and in others' eyes. Diet isn't the only answer. There are 2 parts of the equation for success. Eat less and move more.
What is the most challenging part of moving more and how do you get over it? Some of my colleagues look at me twice when I say I am going to the gym in the middle of the morning. I get over it by recognizing that our Wellness program is supportive. It doesn't matter when I do it in the day as long as I also get my work done, which I always do.
What advice would you give to other members of the Movecoach community? Start and keep at it!
Anything else you'd like to share about your experience? There really aren't any excuses. At least try and get 10000 steps in each day.
In the spotlight: Visa Moves 300,000 Miles Challenge
Stephen Tsoi-A-Sue
Stock Plan Analyst/Human Resources
Favorite Fitness Activity: Rock Climbing and Bouldering
What is the secret to your success? Finding an active hobby. That way it feels like you're having fun and not exercising.
What is the biggest obstacle to moving more and how do you overcome it? The biggest obstacle to moving more is finding the time. It's easy to get caught up with work and life in general. I consider my future health and see my actions now as the foundation for a long happy healthy life. With this in mind it's always a priority to get out and do something.
What is the most rewarding part of this challenge? Running more often. I started running again around April of this year, and usually run two to three times per week. I was really into distance running in the past but stopped for some years. It feels good to get back into a rhythm again. I was training for the San Francisco Half Marathon. I was doing runs on my own but the Wednesday runs hosted by Movecoach kept me on track and motivated me to keep training. I am not training for any events right now but I would like to do another half marathon next year.
Share your Movecoach success story here!
Click here to join the Visa Moves 300,000 Miles Challenge!
Download the Movecoach Moves Visa App for iPhone or Android.
Cassandra Wilson knows that the rewards of moving more transcend any single workout.
“I am stronger, I have greater endurance, and I’m proud of all that I’m investing into my fitness while still feeling like I’m being a good mom, wife, and employee,” she says.
In the Spotlight: LinkedIn
Cassandra Wilson
Sr. Program Manager, GTO (HR)
Favorite Fitness Activity: TRX classes and walking in the park with my family
What is the secret to your success? Signing up for workout classes and blocking the time on my calendar. It reduces the number of excuses I have and the classes keep me motivated.
What is the biggest obstacle to moving more and how do you overcome it? My biggest obstacle to moving more is a shortage of time. I set a goal to attend one workout class a day, Monday through Friday, and I sign up for the classes by Sunday night so that the time is blocked on my calendar. I try to do mornings so that I keep evenings for my family and unwinding after work. As long as I don't have to take early meetings, it works well!
What is the most rewarding part of this challenge? The most rewarding part of this challenge is seeing myself make progress and stick with it! I can go up more flights of stairs, take longer walks with my family, carry my son around for longer, recover much more quickly from my workouts, clock the best time in my TRX-Circuit class, and, most notably, run the Bay to Breakers race this year with my best time ever—even after 3 weeks of not working out. I feel so much better and see results in my workouts as I add weight and improve my form and bounce back by lunchtime after working out really intensely in the morning.
What advice would you give to your fellow challengers? My advice is to keep trying and don't be afraid to adjust your goals if you need to.
Share your Movecoach success story here!
Click here to join the Challenge, and help LinkedIn Moves 1 Million Miles!
Download the LinkedIn Challenge App for iPhone or Android.
In the spotlight: Shea Companies
Catherine Tinerino Moore
IronOaks Fitness Center/Front Desk
Shea Homes
Favorite Fitness Activities: Walking, Golfing, swimming, yoga
How did you start? I completed a marathon when I turned 50. I did it as a walk/run and completed it in six hours. I now exercise about 6 days a week, and I work with a Personal trainer for an 1 hour once a week. I now practice yoga 2 to 3 times a week, and golf 2 days a week. I'll do intervals, alternating between running and walking. I had a fear of water, so about four years ago I learned to swim and now I swim laps 3 to 4 times each week. Swimming, has really help me with my golf. Yoga has helped me focus and relax.
What’s the biggest obstacle to moving more and how do you get over it? The biggest obstacle is time. So, I just get up earlier, and fit it in.
What is your feedback on the Movecoach experience? Movecoach pushes me to do more. I now swim some extra laps, now I jog a little longer, just to get to my milestone.
Share your movecoach success story here!
Click here to join the Shea Moves 750,000-Mile Challenge
Download the Movecoach moves Shea app for iPhone or Android.In the Spotlight: LinkedIn
Tuseet Jha
Human Resources
Favorite fitness activity: Running
What’s the biggest obstacle to moving more, and how do you get over it? The biggest obstacle is my mind! I now am able to recognize the feelings and thoughts that hold me back and it has become easier to overcome those because I am aware what they are or where they are coming from.
What’s the most rewarding part of moving more? The confidence I get once I complete the challenge. I feel like anything is possible!
What advice do you have for other members of the LinkedIn Challenge to Move 1 Million Miles? Recognize how to overcome the mental triggers. For example, in my case, I know that no matter how lazy I feel, the moment i put my shoes on, the mind automatically gets ready to run .
Share your movecoach success story here!
Click here to join the Challenge, and help LinkedIn Moves 1 Million Miles!
In the Spotlight: LinkedIn
Dan Dancescu
Engineering Manager, LinkedIn Feed
Favorite Fitness Activity: Cycling
What’s the secret to your success? Being competitive and always wanting to improve my performance compared to previous workouts. For example, if I go cycling, I want to get there faster than I did last time. If I get on the elliptical, I want to go a longer distance in the same period of time.
What’s the biggest obstacle to moving more, and how do you get over it? Everybody is busy, and it's not easy to find time to work out, but setting up a block of time, just like a meeting and making a point to always attend it, does it for me.
What advice do you have for other members of the LinkedIn Challenge to Move 1 Million Miles? Set a goal for yourself, then move up the bar higher and higher.
Share your movecoach success story here!
Click here to join the Challenge, and help LinkedIn Moves 1 Million Miles!
Terry Henlin
Concierge
Blue Star Golf & Resort
In the spotlight: Shea Companies
Favorite fitness activity: 18 holes of golf. My husband and I play three times a week, and a boot camp once a week. You can also find us walking in our neighborhood and gardening in our beautiful yard! I also do a boxing class once a week.
What is the secret to your success? Having a partner you exercise with keeps you accountable! And it is more fun. I just turned the “BIG” 60 and I wanted a physical activity I could do with my husband into our 90s. And we will be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. This keeps up our energy for our three grandchildren and other activities. When you slow down from raising kids and working full time it is a very important time to keep the body moving.
What is the biggest obstacle to moving more and how do you get over it? To start any exercise it is best to join an organized class that you pay a fee! It is fun to groan with many people and a dedicated partner who holds you accountable to work out with!
What is the most rewarding part of moving more? The health rewards are many! Lower blood pressure, sleeping and a fun activity to do with my husband.
Share your movecoach success story here!
Click here to join the Shea Moves 750,000-Mile Challenge
Download movecoach moves Shea app for iPhone or Android.
In the Spotlight: Genentech
Kara Teklinski only started running 10 years ago. But she’s already completed more than 85 endurance events, from Ironman triathlons to 100-mile ultramarathons, using the Marin Headlands and Mt. Tam as her training grounds. “I see any race or event I do as an accomplishment‚” she says, “no matter how fast or slow I go.”
Kara Teklinski
Group program manager
Favorite fitness activity: trail running
Are you training for anything in particular? I see any race or event I do as an accomplishment no matter how fast or slow I go. Right now I have my sights on the San Diego 100 Mile Endurance Run in June. I did not finish this same race in 2016 due to missing a time cut off by 4 minutes around mile 70. The past 6 months have been complete focus and dedication to finishing it this year. Fingers crossed!
What advice would you give for any aspiring trail runners? Just go out and try it! It may be a mile or ten, but the first step to getting into trail running is taking it to the trails. If most of your running experience has been on the roads though, be prepared to be a LOT slower on trails. And trails mean hills! It’s okay to take a few walk breaks. a The first and hardest step is getting out the door. I do most of my training in the Marin Headlands and Mt. Tam, since it is basically out my backdoor. I train for ultra-distance events, so I have been come very familiar with this area. If anyone is looking to head out on the Marin trails feel free to reach out to me with questions!
What advice would you give to other members of the Challenge? Register for an event that takes you out of your comfort level. Train with friends. Have a training plan that you will stick to that is still flexible with your life andwork changes.
What’s the biggest obstacle to moving more?Sitting at a desk all day. I try to take breaks or at least walk to a different building for meetings.
What’s the most rewarding part of the Genentech Moves 500,000-Mile Challenge? Seeing others move more!
In the Spotlight: Genentech
Jeanne Cheung
Senior Scientific Supervisor, Cancer Immunology
Favorite fitness activity: long hikes with friends
What’s the secret to your success? Staying active on a such a regular basis means that it feels awful (mentally and physically) to slack off for more than a few days. It also helps to have active friends.
What’s the biggest obstacle to moving more and how do you get over it? The weather, as I usually prefer to be active outdoors than in a gym. I also sometimes just feel lazy but I force myself to work out anyway (even in the gym) because I know I will feel great afterwards. Half the battle is just getting ready to go and starting up.
What’s the most rewarding part of participating in the Genentech 500,000-Mile Challenge? Post workout euphoria and knowing that if I indulge a bit food-wise I won't feel too guilty about it. Also--not gaining weight!
What advice would you give others? An active lifestyle is a disciplined choice. If you make the choice and stick to it, the rewards go far beyond more Genentech schwag. You'll feel better, stronger, more energetic and your body will thank you as you try to age gracefully.