Happy New Year Everyone!

With the holidays over and the New Year started, getting healthier has become a top priority for many of us. To help in that endeavor, the MPCC WOW Working On Wellness Team has come up with a new walking event that was designed to help get everyone moving again!

The new “Take 20” walking event will run from January 14th to February 8th. During the event, participants will meet daily at a designated location on each campus (NPCC North and South, and MCC) promptly at 12-noon and will walk throughout the building (or outside, weather permitting) for 20 minutes – hence the name “Take 20.” (Those who wish to participate at the extended campuses can email the WOW Team at WellnessTeam@mpcc.edu and we will help you figure out what will work best at that particular campus.)

Now, the WOW Team realizes that many individuals can’t walk at noon each day, but they would like to participate in the event. So, despite the name, the 20-minute walk can be taken at any time during your work day Monday through Friday. Weekend walks are strongly encouraged; however, the time will not count towards this event. The exception to this would be those who do not have a regular Monday-Friday work week. (Those individuals should also contact the WOW Team.)  

Participants who complete the full 20-minute walk every day for that work week (Monday through Friday) will be included in a weekly drawing for prizes. There will also be a grand prize drawing in February for those who have not missed a single day of walking during the event.

It should be noted that the “Take 20” walking event is not so much a competition or challenge as it is a way to get us away from our desks and get moving again. It’s also a great way to socialize and reduce stress as you meet up with friends/colleagues for your daily walk. Also, although this event was designed to be incorporated into your work day, it is to be done on your own time – ideally on your lunch hour – and not on college time. 

Although all MPCC employees are encouraged to walk in this event, only those who have signed up for the WOW Program will be eligible for prizes. This would be a great time to sign up if you haven’t already!! All you need to do is sign a “Release of Liability” form and you’re ready to go! (Again, please contact the WOW Team for this.)

WOW participants who have already signed up for the program should meet at the Fireplace Area on the South Campus; in the Student Lounge on the North Campus; and at the gymnasium on the McCook Campus a little before noon on Monday, January 14th. It doesn’t matter where you walk, just WALK for 20 minutes and mark it on your calendar for that day. Then do the same thing the next day. Each Friday, if you have walked for 20 minutes every day that week, please send an email to Denise Poss at possd@mpcc.edu so she can enter your name for the weekly drawing. 

That’s all there is to it. Now………

Last Update: 01/25/2008 Send Inquiries to: Wellness Team