Principals' Fitness Challenge 6 Winner

Congratulations to principal Elizabeth Hostin and her staff from Martha Reid Elementary for winning the sixth challenge in the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center's Principals' Fitness Challenge.

Challenge 6 was entitled, Portion Distortion. Hostin and her staff have become proficient in reading food labels, sharing healthy home-cooked meals, and bringing fresh fruit and vegetables to school. Plus, increased exercise and group encouragement helped lead them to first place.

From the challenge: Restaurant portions are nearly twice the size they were a few decades ago. Some restaurants provide enough food for at least two meals at once. This is a problem because research suggests that people will eat more when more food is in front of them. Large portions have been blamed for the increase in obesity in the United States. The key to reaching or maintaining a healthy weight is portion control.

Portion distortion — Seek out quality over quantity. Taste and savor every bite!

1. When eating out, box up half of your meal before you begin eating
2. When eating at home, read your labels to see what a single portion should be and eat only that amount
3. When eating at home, use a salad plate instead of a dinner plate

Elizabeth Hostin and her staff also won Challenge #2. Congratulations Martha Reid Elementary.

Principals' Fitness Challenge 3 Winner

Congratulations to principal Christie Alfred and the staff from Worley Middle School for winning the third challenge in the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center's Principals' Fitness Challenge.

Challenge 3 was entitled, Move a little, lose a lot.

Alfred motivated her staff by appointing team leaders who encouraged teachers to participate in the challenge, sending friendly reminders to keep moving and deeming Wednesday “jeans day” — all in the spirit of fun, healthy competition.

Christie Alfred’s leadership abilities extend well beyond the Principals’ Fitness Challenge. She was recently promoted to Frontier High School/Ben Barber Career Tech Academy.

Make physical activity a regular part of your day. Choose activities that you enjoy and can do regularly.

Check out the challenges as they're posted and get some additional tips for healthy living.

Principals' Fitness Challenge 2 Winner

Congratulations to principal Elizabeth Hostin and her staff from Martha Reid Elementary for winning the second challenge in the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center's Principals' Fitness Challenge.

Challenge 2 was entitled, Rethink your drink . . . Reduce your soda intake

Hostin and the school's staff successfully completed Challenge Two by replacing their sodas with unsweetened tea and implementing an iced water hydration station donated by the schools' PTA. Encouragement also came from Mary Costa, Martha Reid Elementary School's health mentor (she just completed her first Ironman®), who motivated everyone to get moving.

From the challenge: "Regular soda adds empty calories. Some research also indicates that drinks with artificial sweeteners (i.e. diet soda) may increase cravings and lead to higher daily calorie intake.

Instead of sugary drinks and diet soda, try water every day and add a slice of lemon or lime, or even fresh mint to your water for a boost of flavor. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger and could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80 percent of sufferers. Lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily will hydrate your body. Thirst is sometimes mistaken as hunger!"

Check out the challenges as they're posted and get some additional tips for healthy living.

Principals' Fitness Challenge 1 Winner

Congratulations to principal Scott Shafer from Brooks Wester Middle School for winning the first challenge in the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center's Principals' Fitness Challenge.

Challenge 1 was entitled, Walking for better health . . . Walk 10,000 steps everyday.

Shafer is a former athletic trainer and is known for his competitive spirit. He won the challenge by motivating his teachers to walk the minimum amount of steps. If they walked the minimum they could wear jeans for week. His strategy worked and all 66 teachers walked the minimum amount of steps.

Check out the challenges as they're posted and get some additional tips for healthy living.

Avoiding the common cold and flu

By Angel Biasatti, Director of Community Relations and Marketing for Methodist Mansfield Medical Center

The arrival of fall can often usher in a cold or flu, requiring us to seek relief, but taking a few preventive actions can reduce the chances of becoming ill.

Jeff McDaniel, MD, an independently practicing physician on the medical staff of the Methodist Family Health Center–Lake Prairie recommends a seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against the seasonal flu. “People with underlying health problems, chronic illnesses, or in high-risk groups, including pregnant women, children younger than age 5, and people age 50 and older are urged to get a flu shot,” Dr. McDaniel says. “They are safe and effective, and this year’s vaccine protects against influenza A, B, and H1N1.”

Most important wash your hands often with warm soap and water. “Colds are most commonly spread with hands or objects contaminated with nasal secretions from coughing or sneezing,” Dr. McDaniel says. “Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze to keep from spreading flu viruses to others, then discard the tissue after use.

“You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to prevent the direct spread of the virus from your hands to susceptible areas on your face, and avoid contact with sick people to keep from being infected,” he continued.

In addition to maintaining good hygiene, the foods you eat can make a difference. Dr. McDaniel recommends eating healthy high-energy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains that will enhance the immune system, as well as drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. He also advises getting plenty of rest, at least seven to eight hours a night.

If you do get sick, it is important that you take good care of yourself and visit a family care physician who can help you recover without significant complications.

Dr. McDaniel reminds us that a runny nose, watering eyes, body aches, and high fever typical symptoms of the flu. If it is allergies, the eyes will be watering and itching, the nose will have a discharge, and your head will ache. Cold symptoms are usually a stuffy nose and sore throat without a fever or headache.

To schedule an examination call 972-522-0691 or visit www.MethodistHealthSystem.org/FamilyHealth.

Jeff McDaniel, MD, is an independently practicing family medicine physician on the medical staff at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. To find a physician on the Methodist Mansfield medical staff, call toll-free 877-637-4297 or visit MethodistHealthSystem.org.

(Photo: wellcomeimages)

Methodist Mansfield Medical Center is a Mansfield ISD wellness partner.