Employee Wellness First Step It Up MUSC winners announced

Step It Up MUSC! is a new program developed by MUSC Office of Health Promotion, MUSC Wellness Center and MUSC Health Innovation Center to promote a physically active workplace and culture of health. The 10–month challenge encourages faculty, staff and students to form teams of 6 to12 and compete for the highest number of steps each month over the course of three rounds, three months each (June–August, September–November, December–February), culminating in a March Madness Finale. Launched on June 1, over 70 teams are now participating in this campuswide challenge, and we would like to congratulate the winning team of the first month, Notorious BMIC, with a combined average steps of 494,319.33. This six–person team represents the Biomedical Informatics Center (BMIC) within the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research (SCTR) Institute. Joining team captain John Clark are team members Lynn Patterson, Jean Craig, Tomoko Goddard, Patricia Rudisill and Cheryl–Lyn Samuels. We asked members of Notorious BMIC to share some secrets to their success:

What motivated you to join the challenge?
Patterson: “Most of us were participating in the FitBit Workweek Hustles and thought it was a good opportunity to add team members and take it to a more competitive level.”

How did you continue to keep up the pace through the month?
Clark: “It was tough. We established a group text and would regularly send out updates on our step counts and activities. The competition was fierce for the No.1 spot. The last week was grueling as we tried to stay ahead of Flower Power. Some of the texts at 9 p.m. were entertaining.” Samuels: “Being part of a team keeps me motivated to keep up the pace as it impacts the whole team.  Knowing that other team members are working hard, encourages me to keep going, even when it is ridiculously hot and humid outside.” Patterson: “I didn’t want to let down the team so I would attend 6 a.m. workouts or walk my three dogs after work. Craig: The group texts and Fitbit cheering were highly motivating.”

Do you walk/run together?
Clark: “Not as an entire group but we would partner up when possible for a walking discussion (instead of like sane people in fancy air–conditioned offices) or a trip across campus for a meeting.”

How did you come up with the name for your team?
Clark: “Each team member came up with ideas and we put it to a vote. Lynn’s pick was the top choice! Notorious BMIC came from Notorious B.I.G.”

How has participating impacted you individually and/or as a department?
A: Clark: “It has opened up communication between team members and has improved morale. Having a common goal connects us and makes us more efficient in the workplace. Individually, my dog might have actually gotten tired of walks last month and my family thinks I am crazy, including but not limited to: walks in the rain, running on the treadmill while watching Netflix at night to make up steps, walking through the neighborhood in the dark with a blank stare; “steps, steps, steps”, I would chant. I also listened to lots of NPR podcasts.” Samuels: “I feel healthier and sleep better. Patterson: I had to incorporate boxing and more spin workouts just to keep up with my co–workers. It was a great team building experience. Craig: I think differently now, I take stairs more frequently, park far away when running errands, take the long way around the yard when I care for the chickens, walk to places where I would normally drive.”

Employee Wellness
MUSC Employee Fitness Series Class: Exercise Bands, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Wednesday, July 20 at the Wellness Center. Take 30 minutes during lunch to learn how a 10 minute exercise band workout can lead to better health and fitness. Class will be led by fitness expert Katie Blaylock. Free day pass to MUSC Wellness Center for new participants.

Sign up online at musc.edu/ohp/musc-moves/employee-fitness-signup.html.