HEALTH and Wellness
Wesley’s Movement …
There’s an ‘app’ for that!
By Elaine Hopkins*
Technology makes it easier to monitor how well we’re getting (or staying) fit for life. Lovers of Apple’s iPhone – and I admit I’m among them – can use the free app “Lose It” to track weight loss and nutrition content, to compare calories in salads at Panera or Chili’s and to enter the time spent each day walking, lifting or even horseback riding, all in a matter of seconds.
If only technology could help us with our will power. Like all conveniences, new devices are great for charting progress and setting goals, but they can’t get us into our gym shoes. However, sometimes other motivators can. The new Virgin HealthMiles, an employee health program the East Ohio Conference is involved with that pays people to get healthy, is among them.
I’ve had some experience with a similar program. Several months ago, John and I took part in a steps challenge among 12 couples on the Council of Bishops. Six of us were on a team named Wesley’s Horse No. 9 and six other couples formed team Wesley’s Horse No. 16. (You may recall John Wesley believed riding horseback to be such good exercise that he designed a chair for his London home to simulate riding when he wasn’t traveling. Now that’s will power!)
The challenge began with an individual assessment of our physical health, eating habits and stress levels. It was performed at the Church Health Center** in Memphis, Tenn., one of our United Methodist medical ministries. We were evaluated alongside others who can’t afford insurance as part of a wonderful ministry started by a local church.
After making certain we were all able to begin a pretty serious walking or jogging program, we donned uploadable pedometers, (just like the new Virgin HealthMiles pedometers in use here in our conference) and began to work toward daily step goals.
I was already a regular walker and John a serious jogger. An hour a day five to six days per week was pretty routine for me. But seeing the number of miles I accumulated as I plugged the pedometer into my laptop each night had the effect of motivating me to do even more.
I found myself adding a more leisurely walk after dinner and frequently John would join me. We used this time to catch up on the day’s events and to check out what was happening in the neighborhood. No electronic devices were allowed … except for the iPhone stopwatch of course.
When traveling, often we found ourselves walking in parking lots around motels just to get in those extra steps. To our surprise, when we added this extra 30 minutes of walking to each day, our fitness indicators began to get better. (And did I mention Wesley’s Horse No. 9 won the challenge?)
Whether you are working to shed extra pounds, control your glucose levels or lower your blood pressure, adding a daily walk of 30 minutes can have a real impact just like the experts say. And for us, participating in East Ohio’s Virgin Health Miles program will keep us feeling accountable to all of you who are working hard. You are our new teammates!
I’ll continue to check “Lose It” to help me with choices about what to have for lunch. Sometimes technology can add some fun to the personal discipline it takes to be fit for life (and fit to serve). I think Wesley would be proud to know the Methodist movement in East Ohio is … on the move.
*Elaine Hopkins is the wife of John L. Hopkins, resident bishop for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.
**Find out more about the Church Health Center (HopeandHealing.org)
