2013 is the year to REFRAME YOUR THINKING!

This year, reframe your state of mind. Maybe working out and eating well can be enjoyable, aging means empowerment and  benefits information is exciting stuff (especially when you budget and save)!

This month:
-What it really means to be gluten free or vegan
-Fitness apps. Can they help me?
-Be a warrior when it comes to living with or around cancer
-Mentoring: for your health?
-Adjust your HSA contributions to meet your needs
 

January Success Story: Kirsten Bartels

A FAMILY WHO EATS TOGETHER

Kirsten Bartels, an Honors Faculty Fellow, shares a vegan lifestyle with her daughter, Lauren. Lauren (who is 12), became a vegetarian due to her passion for animals.  Through watching documentaries such as Food, Inc. and the Future of Food, she decided to take it to a more sustainable and planet-healthy level by becoming vegan. 

Kirsten is  inspired by the commitment Lauren has shown to being a vegan because it is much harder for her, especially at her age.  “She is in seventh grade, and she is faced daily with the fact that she has chosen to go against the main stream.  She shows more dedication than anyone.” 

Kirsten decided to do the same because of what she learned from teaching a year-long course on food.  She stated, “I would not be able to teach what I was and remain unimpacted by it.”  Another hallmark of Kirsten’s new lifestyle is making sure that 51% of her diet comes from raw fruits and vegetables.  She has been faithful to being vegan for 6 months and has no intention of returning to her old ways. 

Kirsten’s son, Jake (who is 15) and husband, Bart (who is a member of the SCDI team here at Grand Valley) have not followed suit on becoming vegan, but they fully support Kirsten and Lauren in this endeavor along with adopting a much healthier diet as well.  Kirsten mentions that it was hard at first to realize that this wasn’t just a whim, but over time they have happily accepted it.  The men of the house eat significantly less meat than before, and the entire family tries to exercise every day.

When asked how they made this a part of their life, Kirsten said that both she and Lauren decided to do it and not to undermine how difficult it can be for some.  They made the commitment and have stuck with it.  Not being challenged at home seems to have helped in this transformation.  Jake advises that you need to be supportive of the people making this change, and provide an option for them as well so they feel welcomed and accepted in any setting.  These are wise words that everyone should work to fulfill. 

Interested in learning more about Veganism?
• vegangr.com
• vrg.org/nutshell/vegan.htm
• vegansociety.com
• vegansociety.com• chooseveg.com/vegan-food-pyramid.asp

Choose Your Hard:Fitness and nutrition for every level

Losing weight is hard. Maintaining weight is hard. Staying overweight is hard. This month, “choose your hard”. Reframe your thinking in what hard means for you and what can make "hard" less so.

Fit Camp
Like a challenge? Stay active whether it be for fat loss, general conditioning, or elite level athletics! For more information and to register online please visit us HERE..

Food is Tough
Working out can be hard but understanding how to eat healthy is no cake walk either. Go easy on yourself this year. Check out our new program Gluten Free Foodies or Weight Watcher's at Work.

Cool Fitness Apps
Make fitness easy and fun! Myfitnesspal offers a variety of different fitness apps so that you can track activity levels, calories, and more with the touch of a button!

Test Your Limits at the Gym
Looking into a gym membership? GVSU offers a number of discounts and options for faculty and staff.

Make a contribution (to your benefits) today!

Remember, even though the annual benefits open enrollment has ended you can still make a new contribution election for 2013 by completing a HSA Contribution Change Form. Click HERE for a copy.

Supplemental Retirement Accounts Contribution Limits For 2013
The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the supplemental retirement account contribution limit for 2013 has increased by $500. There was no change in the catch-up contribution limit. The 2012 Grand Valley State University 403(b) and 457(b) supplemental contribution limits are:

                                                                    403(b)       457(b) Contribution Limit                                     $17,500     $17,500
Catch-up Contribution (age 50 and older)  $5,500       $5,500

Roth Post-Tax Option
A Roth post-tax 403(b) supplemental contribution option is available for the GVSU 403(b) Retirement Plan. For more information go to www.gvsu.edu/healthwellness.  
If you interested in changing your current contribution amount just go to www.gvsu.edu/healthwellness and click on “Benefit Services” then “Forms”, complete the appropriate salary reduction agreement and forward to HR at 140 LMH. If you have specific questions about any of the retirement programs at GVSU please contact Human Resources at X12220 or e-mail us at healthandwellness@gvsu.edu.

Use Or Lose Your Health Flexible Spending Account
Don’t forget – if you are not enrolled in the GVSU High Deductible PPO Plan, you have until March 15, 2013 to incur expenses for reimbursement from your 2011 GVSU Health Flexible Spending Account. Receipts for all 2012 GVSU Health Flexible Spending Account claims must be submitted to UMR no later than April 30, 2013. If you are a new enrollee into the GVSU High Deductible Plan for 2013 you must have your 2012 medical flexible spending account used up by December 31, 2012.
 

For more information contact us at 1-2220 or healthandwellness@gvsu.edu.

Help yourself while helping others

Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month?

To be a mentor, you don't need special skills, just an ability to listen and to offer friendship, guidance and encouragement to a young person. And you'll be amazed by how much you'll get out of the experience! Mentors often gain satisfaction by sharing knowledge, expertise, influence, and seeing the student develop.

United Way's Schools of Hope program uses mentors in the form of tutors, helping struggling readers. GVSU supports Schools of Hope by allowing staff to participate, with supervisor approval, without having to use personal time!

Help us tackle illiteracy in Kent County by participating in National Mentoring Month:
• Become a Schools of Hope tutor and mentor children in Kent County
• Join "I Am a Mentor" Day on January 10

Are you a Cancer WARRIOR?

Nearly 14 million cancer survivors are celebrating birthdays this year!
If you’re facing a cancer diagnosis, have a loved one battling cancer, or you are through treatment and on the road to recovery; connecting with others who have traveled this journey can be a source of comfort and hope!

Staying healthy during and after battling cancer means maintaining both physical and emotional health. Some great ways to accomplish this are:

-Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly
-Attend all follow-up appointments
-Be open about your fears
-Keep busy
-Maintain good relationships

For more information on how GVSU is helping cancer warriors visit our Cancer Warriors Network website or Facebook Page.
 

The Age of Empowerment

People in the U.S. are living longer than ever before! Many seniors are now living more active and healthy lives. In addition to being more physically fit, senior citizens are improving their emotional health by increasing their knowledge about technology. Through using devices such as ipads, game consoles, and cellular telephones senior citizens have been increasing their communication with loved ones, improving memory, and most importantly gaining a sense of empowerment in their own capabilities!

The Age of Empowerment is the theme for the 8th annual GVSU Conference on the Art and Science of Aging scheduled to be held on February 8th. Breakout sessions include topics on caregiving, Alzheimer’s, living with resiliency, how to age well and more.

To register and for more information visit our website:  Conference on Aging

Check out this article to learn more about how senior citizens are using technology as a tool of empowerment! HealthBlog