You and Your Family

STORY ARCHIVE

Health Week - Fun, Free Activities!
3:30:3 Pledge Challenge Winner
3:30:3 Pledge Challenge Winner
Congratulations to all who submitted 3:30:3 Pledge Success Stories!
Power Walking on Park Avenue - Local Women Walk the Talk

Healthy Central Florida Lived Up to Its Name with Over 3,500 Participants in Health Week!

People walked, ran, rode their bikes, heard fascinating free lectures on health, shopped at our farmer’s markets, took pictures with our big orange carrots and won prizes - or just got out and played in the beautiful weather during March. 

For non-smokers, we had a very special treat.  For the entire weekend of Mach 22 – 24, most restaurants at the Winter Park Village went SMOKE-FREE on their patios.  Non-smokers enjoyed the best seats in the house during the beautiful spring weather, without having to smell smoke while they dined.

Our very special thanks to the participating restaurants which included Brio, Cheesecake Factory, Lime, PF Changs, Pizzeria Caldiano, Sakari Sushi and Truffles.  We continue to encourage everyone to speak up and let it be known that you prefer smoke-free dining on outdoor patios.  If you're smelling it - you're breathing it, so politely let the manager know that you would love their restaurant even more if it were smoke free!

From the Tour de Cure for Diabetes, a 100-mile bicycle ride on Sunday, March 17 to our Smoke-Free Weekend, there was something for everyone.  One of the key highlights of the week was a presentation from Dr. Richard Jackson, host of the PBS mini-series Designing Healthy Communities.  Dr. Jaskson explored the link between health and the way our communities have become totally car-centric.  They impede our ability to walk, bike, connect and be active and we must consciously work to redesign our communities to promote activity and health.

The discussion of Dr. Jackson's 4-part mini-series Designing Healthy Communities continues throughout the month of April at the Winter Park Library.  Join us to watch and discuss the acclaimed mini-series every Thursday in April from noon to 1:30 p.m. to view each episode and discuss how we make our community healthier.  For more information click here.

Also, we hope you’ll join us on our free weekly walks in Winter Park, Maitland and Eatonville.  For questions, or more information about Health Week, please contact Asher Levine at 407.644.2300 ext. 241 or by email at alevine@healthycf.org.  

Congratulations to Winter Park High School Teacher, Meg Pietkiewicz, winner of the 3:30:3 Pledge Challenge!

During a Publisher's Clearinghouse-style surprise presentation including students, staff and community leaders, popular marketing teacher, Meg Pietkiewicz was awarded the grand prize, an all-expense paid trip for two to New York City to see a live taping of the Dr. Oz Show! She was selected for her enthusiasm, originality and her success in her efforts for better health using the 3:30:3 Pledge. She was also selected for engaging others on the health journey - faculty, students and family.

Her journey began more than 90 days ago when she attended the kickoff of Healthy Central Florida, an initiative founded by Florida Hospital and the Winter Park Health Foundation to make Central Florida the healthiest community in the nation, beginning with Winter Park, Maitland and Eatonville.

At the kickoff, Dr. Oz delivered the keynote address and urged community leaders to make healthy changes in the places where people live, learn, work and play to help make the healthy choice the easy choice.

He also challenged residents to take a 3:30:3 Pledge to get active three times a week, for 30 minutes a day for the next three months, and hundreds did. Those who successfully completed the challenge were eligible to compete for a trip to New York City to sit in on the filming of the Dr. Oz show.

Of all the entries, the essay from Ms. Pietkiewicz stood out because she was able to create a healthier environment at home, school and the community. "She also brought to life a key Healthy Central Florida principle, that of making getting healthy fun!" said Jill Hamilton Buss, Executive Director, Healthy Central Florida.

 

Congratulations to Winter Park High School Teacher, Meg Pietkiewicz, winner of the 3:30:3 Pledge Challenge!

During a Publisher's Clearinghouse-style surprise presentation including students, staff and community leaders, popular marketing teacher, Meg Pietkiewicz was awarded the grand prize, an all-expense paid trip for two to New York City to see a live taping of the Dr. Oz Show! She was selected for her enthusiasm, originality and her success in her efforts for better health using the 3:30:3 Pledge. She was also selected for engaging others on the health journey - faculty, students and family.

Her journey began more than 90 days ago when she attended the kickoff of Healthy Central Florida, an initiative founded by Florida Hospital and the Winter Park Health Foundation to make Central Florida the healthiest community in the nation, beginning with Winter Park, Maitland and Eatonville.

At the kickoff, Dr. Oz delivered the keynote address and urged community leaders to make healthy changes in the places where people live, learn, work and play to help make the healthy choice the easy choice.

He also challenged residents to take a 3:30:3 Pledge to get active three times a week, for 30 minutes a day for the next three months, and hundreds did. Those who successfully completed the challenge were eligible to compete for a trip to New York City to sit in on the filming of the Dr. Oz show.

Of all the entries, the essay from Ms. Pietkiewicz stood out because she was able to create a healthier environment at home, school and the community. "She also brought to life a key Healthy Central Florida principle, that of making getting healthy fun!" said Jill Hamilton Buss, Executive Director, Healthy Central Florida.

 

Congratulations to all who submitted
3:30:3 Pledge Success Stories!

We were overwhelmed with the quality and quantity of entries and will be sharing excerpts as well as the complete story of our winner very soon.  It’s exciting to see that a simple step, like taking a pledge truly can be life changing.  If you haven’t done it yet, don’t delay. Join hundreds of your neighbors and take the pledge!

Our first-ever 3:30:3 Pledge winner will be notified by June 14th and will have the opportunity to begin planning an exciting, fun-filled trip to New York City to see a live taping of the Dr. Oz Show!  He and his staff are excited to learn who the winner will be – so are we!  Stay tuned...

Whether you entered the contest or are just beginning your journey toward greater health, please continue to share successes along the way. We can all help each other be healthier by offering tips, encouragement and praise for a job well done. 

If you got to the gym, took a lap around the block, climbed the stairs or even parked in the farthest spot today – congratulations!  Small steps do add up – and when you lose (calories, fat grams, salt) you win!

 

Power Walking on Park Avenue -

Local Women Walk the Talk

When Dr. Deb German became Dean of the UCF College of Medicine, she brought with her a healthy habit she'd begun years before. While living in Nashville she'd participated in a walking group and so she asked Helen Donegan, a Vice President at UCF to help put together a walking group with other professional, busy women who didn't always find much time to exercise, or to keep up with each other.

That was four years ago. Ever since, the group of women has met every Saturday morning, weather permitting, in Winter Park. They take different routes to enjoy the city's beautiful scenery, get exercise, catch up, and exchange information about community events and often to gain support. Helen Donegan puts a high priority on the experience she calls, "combining a healthy initiative with a pleasant experience." She admits it's hard for women with their schedules to find the time, but that it's important they make this time, which enhances their lives by giving them a good workout, and a weekly chance to connect with each other - and have fun! They've made it a habit they treat like any other commitment and benefit physically, emotionally and mentally.

The group varies in size, but generally at least five or six women show up. The stalwarts are Dr. German and Ms. Donegan; Karen Dee, Region President of Fifth Third Bank; Dr. Ann McGee, President of Seminole State College; Lawrie Platt Hall of Platt Hall and Associates; Amy Pempel, Senior Corporate Communications Specialist for Siemens Energy; Deborah Robison, Director of Communications for Sanford Burnham and Mary Stokes, Physician Relations, Florida Hospital for Children. Talk about power-walking!

They set a great example in the boardroom and on the sidewalk. We hope you'll follow their lead and get a friend-or two-and start walking!