VPs team up for Live Healthy Iowa challenge

	Sue Buckley (left), vice president for human resources, and Carroll Reasoner, interim vice president of legal affairs and general counsel, have formed a team of UI vice presidents for the 2010 Live Healthy Iowa program. Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

The word is out: the University of Iowa vice presidents are looking for some healthy competition.

Sue Buckley, vice president for human resources, and Carroll Reasoner, interim vice president of legal affairs and general counsel, have formed a team of UI vice presidents for the 2010 Live Healthy Iowa program—a 100-day, team-based weight loss and physical activity program.

“As UI leaders, we are committed to supporting a culture of health on campus for students, faculty, and staff,” Buckley says. “We thought it important that we demonstrate this commitment by our own actions. Participation in the team-based Live Healthy Iowa program is a great opportunity to support physical activity across campus.”

Live Healthy Iowa (LHI), which runs from Jan. 14 through April 23, features teams of 2 to 10 members striving to lose weight or increase physical activity. LHI participants have numerous incentives aside from the natural health benefits that come from increased physical activity.

“For a small $15 registration fee, participants receive a t-shirt, magazine subscription, a number of discounts around the state, and access to e-tools and resources from Live Healthy Iowa,” says Megan Moeller, coordinator of UI Wellness, a division of Human Resources.

“To support employees’ efforts, the University will reimburse $15 to benefits-eligible University employees who submit their weight and/or minutes of activity for at least 12 weeks of the program,” Moeller added. “This reimbursement will appear on their May 1 paycheck.”

Last year’s winning teams had impressive results—one team lost 7.87 percent of its collective body weight, while another had an average of 263 hours, 46 minutes of physical activity per team member during the 100-day period. The 2009 leaderboard provides the VP team with lofty targets for 2010.

“We’re a moderately active bunch, but we’re looking to increase our levels of physical activity,” says Reasoner of the VP team, the first such group of UI officials to organize for the annual LHI challenge. “Our fitness levels vary, but we do have some past athletic champions on our team.” [The VP team’s roster can be found at right.]

So what’s the team’s primary goal: inspiration or victory?

“Inspiration is the team’s goal, but we are all competitors so winning isn’t too far behind,” Buckley and Reasoner say. “If we can help to provide a motivational boost for other UI teams then we’ll consider our participation a successful venture.”

Since LHI includes a statewide University Challenge component, UI teams have an interest in seeing one another do well. In 2009, The University of Iowa led the University Challenge in weight loss and minutes of activity, edging out Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.

“In 2010 we also want to lead in participation, as Iowa State had more participants than us in 2009,” says UI Wellness health coach/wellness consultant Erin Litton, who coordinates the Live Healthy Iowa efforts at the University. “Our goal for 2010 is to get 1,000 UI employees to participate.”

Ronnie Chalupa, a clerk in UI Student Health Service, is doing his part to help the University reach that goal. Chalupa is in his third year of LHI participation, and had a hand in organizing four teams from Student Health Service. His team members share the same goals: be healthier, look better, be happier.

He welcomes the VP team into the mix.

“The vice presidents’ participation is great. Higher titles do not mean they aren’t human just like the rest of us,” Chalupa says. “We all have the same difficulties when making lifestyle changes. The fact that we are all striving for the same goals will make it a more challenging and fun experience.”

Chalupa can vouch for the support system that LHI provides its participants.

“There are many emotions—discouragement, anger, frustration—and setbacks when trying to reach this type of goal,” he says. “Having the support of team members who are sharing the experience with you is very beneficial. It’s a great opportunity to share ideas and recipes and learn strategies for overcoming problem areas.

“Seeing the success and results each year is why I keep participating in this program.”

Litton echoed these sentiments. “Social support is key in sustaining healthy behaviors,” she says. “When the office is creating ways to support each other, like going on walks or planning healthy lunches, individuals are more likely to accomplish their goals. If co-workers are making healthy choices with you, it is easier to be successful.”

“And given the competitive nature of the VP group, I’m sure we’ll see some internal competition,” Reasoner and Buckley agree. “A little friendly competition can be a good thing.”

by Christopher Clair