Don't Forget To Get Your Box


The Downtown Rotary Club has asked Allen Health System to fill over 100 boxes. This is a fun project to do with your kids, or get together with your coworkers to fill boxes. And at a cost of $25-30 per shoebox (less if you take advantage of summer sales!) it’s hard to turn down this opportunity to help a child. So, even though it’s months away from the holiday season, let’s all get a little Christmas (in July!) spirit and fill these boxes!

If you are interested in filling a shoebox, please contact Angie in the Foundation office – 235-3960 or fullerad@ihs.org. Thank you for helping! 



World Breastfeeding Week

Allen Birthing Center Breastfeeding Support Services would like to acknowledge World Breastfeeding Week, August 1- 7, 2011.  There will be an open house in the OB Classroom on Tuesday, August 2 from 10:00 am - 11:30 am for associates who nursed their babies.

How Some Allen Associates Are Working Toward Personal Health

Many of us make New Year’s resolutions; start out truly motivated and then slowly fall back into old habits. I know I have, at least until this past January. I began my association with the NLXF Program (Next Level Extreme Fitness) at the urging of several co-workers. It was not a resolution, but something I finally decided I needed to give a try. Working out with a group of friends seemed more motivating than going it alone. As a mother of four, it had been a long time since I had done anything for myself – my family had always came first. I had no idea what I was in for – this was some of the hardest work I have ever put myself through. All of us struggled in the first few weeks of class, but together we hung in and kept going. Looking back, this has been the best thing I have done for myself. By making a conscious effort, I have totally changed my eating habits and outlook about my health. Since January, I have lost 51 lbs, lowered my cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure. I feel better than I have in a long time. To quote our instructors, Ryan and Creed, “It’s easy to be lazy; it takes work to be fit.” Peggy Frost

At 40 years old, my joints were stiff whenever I got up from a resting position. I started with an activity I enjoyed, which was weightlifting. You can see and feel the toning benefits of weightlifting in a short period of time which helps with motivation. As it became difficult to get to the gym for weightlifting, I switched to walking. Treadmill in the winter, outside in the nice weather. My workout buddy is my dog Buddy. He loves to walk! It's been 10+ years since I started a more active lifestyle and my joint pain is long gone, my 30 pounds has not come back, and I feel better than I ever have! Also, as you get older, learn to listen to your body. It really DOES tell you when it's full. Also, my husband and I almost always share a meal when at a restaurant. That way, we eat less, still get full, and still get a WHOLE beer!

In 2008 I started bicycling to work at Allen. Since 2008 I have made many adjustments to my route and equipment to make the ride safer and more satisfying. The most important safety equipment I have are my helmet, a rear-view mirror which attaches to my glasses, front & back lights plus numerous reflectors. In 2008, I made 25 commutes to work. Last year I made 68 and in 2011, my goal is 100. The greatest benefit to bicycle commuting is that I feel better mentally and physically. My ride is about 8 miles each way using the trails. That burns quite a few calories. I save money on gas, and my major aerobic exercise is incorporated into my daily activity instead of being tacked on and becoming one more thing I have to do. I encourage anyone who wants to try cycling to work - just keep safety as the #1 priority. Pat Colwell

In January, I started the Farrell’s program in Cedar Falls and it has changed how I look at my health and well-being. I feel so much better – I lost weight and body fat, toned up and most exciting, lowered my cholesterol 53 points. I am so excited about the program that I talk about it to a lot of coworkers, and after hearing about my success, Kristin Wentworth from AHEC decided to give it a try. Although most days we work out at different times, once or twice a week we end up in the same class and it’s been a lot of fun working out together, encouraging each other, giving each other tips and ideas, and sharing our success. It’s great knowing that when one of us has had a rough workout and has some soreness, we both know EXACTLY how the other is feeling. And while we empathize with one another, we still push each other to work out to Level 10 the next day! Angie Fuller

Two years ago, I decided I wasn't getting any younger and soon I would be experiencing health issues if I did not do something about my weight. So I gave up soda, started using a smaller plate so smaller portions were easier, tried to eat slower and pay attention to my body signals for fullness, drinking more water up to 3-4 liters per day. Exercise was just increasing walking and stairs with daily activities. Now I ride bikes or walk 2-3 times per week. I have lost 80 pounds over two years and kept it off. I feel fantastic!! Now I am working on motivating my family, friends and co-workers. Even if they are not overweight, we all need to be more active.

UMP Radiology is a physically fit department! Many of us walk, snowshoe, run, kickbox, bike and even do triathalons. There is a large number of runners in our department and we have participated in many races, from 5K mud runs to marathon distance races. We have participated in the Pink Ribbon run for breast cancer awareness. A group of us even dressed up like the Wizard of Oz characters and did a cross country race! We motivate each other at races and sometimes do long runs together. It helps make us accountable and we have fun while doing it. Even our non-running coworkers are supportive and one has even come to some of our races to cheer us on! Working in the healthcare field, I think we are constantly reminded of how important our health is, the consequences of bad health choices, and the fragility of our lives. We are trying to set a good example for our patients, children and co-workers, one step at a time!

I started jazzercise over 15 years ago. I had recently taken the nurse manager job on what was then 4 surgical and my youngest child was about 15 months old. I needed a way to destress and get back into shape and Jazzercise had come to where I live in Denver. I feel so energized and positive after an hour class, it is a great way to destress!! I continue to attend classes 3-4 times a week, Monday and Wednesday classes start at 5 am, the other classes are in the evening and on Saturday morning. I stay motivated by being the class manager; I am expected to be there to sign in the participants. Our HR department has been great about bringing in Weight Watchers to Allen for an at-work meeting. This has helped me stay focused on eating healthy since I also have high cholesterol. We care for others every day and sometimes we forget that we are important too.  That is why I take my hour to myself to jazzercise and do something that makes me a better person inside and out! Rita Borrett

I workout Monday -Thursday at 4:30 - 6:00 a.m., Saturday and Sunday 1/2 hour. Work days I walk stairwells and hospital corridors during am, pm and lunch breaks. I try to have a healthy diet most of the time. Love to walk and do yard work.

In December of 2009 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I have sucessfully completed treatment, which included a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. In March of 2010, I started taking yoga classes to aid my recovery and reduce lymphedema and have continued taking them along with adding running to my training. I also stopped consuming soda, eliminated most sugar from my diet and planted my first vegetable garden to increase my raw/organic food intake. I trained for and completed the 2011 Dam to Dam 12.4 mile run in Des Moines along with Molly Quinn, my colleague here at Allen College and we are in a training group for the upcoming Park to Park Half Marathon to be run September 10, 2011. My doctors told me that I can reduce my recurrance rate by eating well and exercising - I plan on a very long, healthy life! Kristin Teig Torres

If you and the scale are having issues, why not attend the Open House opportunity for Allen associates to join the Weight Watchers at work program.  Open House   Thursday, August 4   3:00 - 4:00 pm   Meeting Rooms 3 & 4 Sessions will be every Thursday, starting on August 18.

Movie Saturday, July 30 Crossroads Theater Doors open at 7:45 am and movies start at 8:30 am. Limit six tickets per associate.  $2.50 per ticket. You must show your associate badge to purchase tickets. Ticket sales at Crossroads Theater only!  No sales at Allen Hospital.

Hope Blooms for Breast Cancer Order your tulips and daffodils by August 19 for fall planting.  Tulip sales support breast cancer services in the Cedar Valley. Click here for more information.  Click here for order form. Sponsored by the Beyond Pink Team.