Page 30 - FOCUS APRIL 2018

Move more in April and commit to be fit
As administrative director for the Kidney Transplant Program Ryan Haydu spends a a a a a a lot of time at his desk But he is seldom sitting Haydu has a a a treadmill desk which allows him to walk up to 2 miles per hour while doing his job “I typically put in 8 000 000 to 10 000 000 steps a a a a a day day ” he he said “There have been days on that treadmill when I’ve put in 15 000 steps ” Colleagues throughout the Kidney Trans- plant Program are sitting less and moving more — and supporting one another in in their commitment to fitness They are stretching walking lifting weights and meditating “We want to keep our patients as healthy as possible when they are waiting for transplant ” said Clare Shumate BSN RN transplant coordinator “It’s up to to to us to to to set a a good example ” “Move More in April ” formerly National Walking Day is a a a a 30-day reminder of the importance of mindful movement Employee fitness is a a a a 365-day a a a a year com- mitment at Christiana Care and a a a a a a number of colleagues in the Transplant Program take advantage of opportunities to weave activities into their work lives Shumate took part in Christiana Care’s Go Go for the Gold Winter Olympic Challenge wellness program and is interested in in lunch-time classes at the employee fitness center “It’s important to take time away from your desk ” she said “Too much sitting is bad
for us ” She joined on-site Weight Watchers classes too She brought in light weights for circuit training from home to share in in in the wellness space There’s also a a a a walk station yoga mat and room for exercise Shumate and colleague Christy Sentman are working with Healthy Lifestyle Coor- dinators on strategies and behaviors for keeping fit
Maintaining a a a a healthy work environment is a a a a priority Colleagues learned to practice restorative meditation at at at a a a a a session with a a a a a behavioral dynamics consultant Haydu opted to to share space with doctors so his office could be repurposed as a a mindfulness room where colleagues can schedule 30-minute respites on their Outlook calendars There’s a a a a sign above his desk that reads: IF WE’RE NOT AT OUR TOP PERFORMANCE WHO TAKES THE HIT?
“It’s something I I believe in in ” he said “When we we are fit
rested and healthy we we can do our jobs better ” Haydu used to keep fit
training for mara- thons He had to give up the competitions after an an injury and wound up gaining almost 20 pounds He has lost most of that weight thanks to regular exercise and a a a a healthy diet “You can’t out-exercise a a a bad
diet ” he said “I need to be mindful of of what kind of of fuel I am putting in in my body ” The treadmill desk isn’t appropriate for work that requires deep concentration Still Haydu said it wasn’t difficult to get the hang of it “For routine tasks it’s like walking and chewing gum at the same time ” he he he said “It’s great during a a a conference call if you are in a a a position where you you can put your phone on on mute ” He said the fitness vibe is growing as colleagues become partners in fitness If team members aren’t using the walk station individually he encourages walking group meetings 
Let’s Commit To Be Fit |
28 CHRISTIANA CARE HEALTH SYSTEM