 Living Well in Glastonbury ©
Accepting the State of Connecticut award above is Elaine Ducharme, PhD, Priscilla Bengston, Healthtrax; Mary Ellen Dombrowski, Chamber President; Joe Jaconetta, Jaconetta, Burnham & Wimer; Laura Perry, Glastonbury’s Public Health Nurse; Maria Fill, Natural Nutrition; Marcy Manning, Chamber Intern and Andy Chasse, Hansoo Taekwondo Academy.
The Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness presented the first Worksite Award to Living Well in Glastonbury© at their first Annual Statewide Fitness Awards on May 19 at the Capitol.
This award was presented in recognition of our “exemplary work in the area of physical fitness and wellness through innovating program, outstanding individual and group efforts in addition to extraordinary support.”
I had the privilege of accepting the award with Joe Jaconetta, chair of the Chamber’s Health & Wellness Council. Joining us were five members of our Council and our intern, Marcy Manning.
Since that time, we enjoyed a site visit by Eugene Nichols, Health Program Associate of the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health who was “very impressed” with our program and vision. View the Governor's Official Statement.
We’ve kicked off our Summer “Lite”competition anticipating less competitors due to vacation schedules. We’ve added Glastonbury Greatest Loser with the support of Healthtrax and intern Ally Beadle, Tracking Exercise Hours and Pedometer Step Counting for 8 weeks ending August 8. We’re expecting our program to be automated for the fall competition.
Living Well is a model wellness program for small businesses that has been recognized statewide. If your business has not participated, or if you’re taking the summer “off”, resolve to take a serious look at what we are doing and gear yourself and your co-workers up to coming on board in September.
 The mission of the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce LIVING WELL IN GLASTONBURY initiative is for member companies to experience the benefits of offering an ongoing program of wellness for their employees that encompasses moving, eating and thinking well. It’s not necessarily about a weight loss or running marathons, it’s about implementing healthier habits and embracing a lifestyle of wellness.
 This is a program to encourage all of us to incorporate more health and fitness into our daily lives, and reap the benefits in education, good health and better morale. The first such program in the state of Connecticut, LIVING WELL IN GLASTONBURY© is a friendly team competition kicking off with Chamber members, Glastonbury Town Employees and Glastonbury Seniors.
Competitors earn points for exercising, eating a balanced diet, and getting educated on wellness topics by attending weekly seminars sponsored by the Chamber. At the end of the program, the team with the highest accumulated points will be the prize winners, although all contestants are winners. The first six-week program kicked off in February 2008 and a new program is kicked off every season.
There’s no need to join a club or clinic—this initiative takes place right where you are. You needn’t be accountable to people you don’t know—your team members are people you see and work with every day. No need for lots of research—what you need to know to make the most of this program will be presented to you at the seminars.
 What are the benefits? For starters, you can look better, feel better and function better if you eat well, exercise and change your habits. Your workplace benefits from the more energetic and dynamic atmosphere this initiative encourages. What’s more, studies have shown that companies who participate in wellness programs of this type will actually reduce the cost of health care for the company and its employees!
We encourage you to join us in learning how and making better choices to live life to the fullest. Here’s to LIVING WELL IN GLASTONBURY©!
Mary Ellen Dombrowski, President Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce
Joe Jaconetta, Chair,
Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellness Council
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This Fall we’re Living Well in Glastonbury
Receive Healthtrax coupon and become eligible for $100 prize!
Get in the swing of moving well while the weather is still nice and before the holidays hit! Fall Living Well 6-week competition will run from October 26 – December 6.
Registration Information: Thursday, October 23 registration form
- Healthtrax Conference Room B (upstairs) - Noon – 2 pm
- Riverfront Community Center - 3:30 – 5:30 pm.
- Registration for each contest is $10
- All registrants receive a Healthtrax coupon for a free 4 week volunteer exercise program!
- Registration includes blood pressure, body composition readings, weight, waist:hip measurement.
- Flu shots will be available for a fee provided by VNA HealthCare
- Keep track of your own progress and submit your scores to the Chamber on December 8th.
Individual Competition Options:
- Glastonbury’s Greatest Loser: Modeled after television’s Biggest Loser, Healthtrax will weigh in contestants at the beginning, midpoint and end. Greatest Loser will win a 3 month membership to Healthtrax!
- Step Counting: With a good pedometer, track your steps to see how you measure up against other walkers. Greatest stepper wins $100!
- Exercise Hours: For those who want to increase their commitment to exercise, compete with others of like mind to see who puts in the most time in 6 weeks. Individual who exercises the most wins $100!
New Weekly Walking Group: Led by Kathy Walton of Chiroworks, Wednesday mornings, 6:30 – 7:30 am. Walkers meet at Dr. Doug Stranko’s office at 2638 Main Street. Start counting your steps with Kathy.
Fall 2008 Wellness Seminars will be held at 12:30 pm at the Glastonbury Riverfront Community Center on Welles Street. All are welcome!
read more
Wellness Links:
State of CT Healthcare Advocate
Mayo Clinic
Living Well in Glastonbury Sponsorship Opportunities
Living Well in Glastonbury Letter to Employees
Living Well in Glastonbury Letter to Employers
Living Well in Glastonbury Competition Registration Form
Mercury Levels in Fish
Map Out Your Own Walk
Glastonbury Neighborhood Walking Maps
Glastonbury Running
Healthy Diet Food Reviews
Food Tips and Tricks
10,000 Steps
The 20% Boost Program
Courant Article about Walking Group
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