You have so many options for being active! Here are five ideas to get you started:

1. Weather permitting, you may want to check out The Arc of Washington County’s Walking & Fitness Path.
2. To help inspire you while you walk, participate in the current walking challenge at Aetna Virgin Pulse.
3. Find additional challenges on our Challenges page.
4. Sign up for a fitness boot camp class with FitPro with Tom McCall. Tom offers discounts for Arc WC employees.
5. Check out our Events page for more ways to be active locally.

 

 

 

Eating healthy is about becoming aware of the choices you make for yourself every day.  Here are five ideas to get you started:

1. Drink more water.  The average adult can consume 145 calories per day in sugary beverages alone.  Just one large fountain soda is more than double that amount.  Would you rather drink or eat your calories?
2. ChooseMyPlate helps adults get started to make every plate a healthy plate of food.  There are links to valuable resources, tools, and even videos to help you on your journey.
3. Eating well begins with what you buy.  Check out our Featured Fresh page to learn about the nutritional benefits and how to prepare fruits and vegetables.
4. Browse through tasty Recipes that are good for you, too.
5. Check out our Events page for nutrition events and farmers markets.

Over 115 million people in the U.S. have diabetes or prediabetes.  Here are five ideas to get you started:

1. 1 out of 4 adults with diabetes and 9 out of 10 with prediabetes do not know they are currently living with the disease according to the CDC.  Visit your primary care physician or biometric screening and ask to be tested.  Most insurances cover the exam as part of your annual physical.  Changes you make today can prevent you from becoming diagnosed with diabetes.
2. Check to see if you are at risk at the American Diabetes Association by taking a short quiz.
3. ChooseMyPlate helps adults manage diabetes or pre-diabetes through what they eat.  There are links to valuable resources, tools, and even videos to help you on your journey.
4. Exercise helps control blood glucose.  The CDC advises walking 20-25 minutes a day is all you need.  Check out our Events page for more ways to be active.
5. Joining a support group like TOPS can help you succeed in loosing weight.

Heart disease is the cause of 1 in 4 American deaths every year.  47% of  all adults have one of the risk factors of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a tobacco user.  If you wish to prevent heart disease, here are five ideas to get you started:

1. The American Heart Association recommends that you to visit your primary care physician or biometric screening and ask to be tested.  A family history can place you at greater risk and most insurances cover the exam as part of your annual physical.  Controlling your cholesterol and high blood pressure earlier can decrease certain risks.
2. Get some Cuff Love and know your blood pressure numbers so you can catch “The Silent Killer”.
3. High cholesterol can mean your ratio of bad to good cholesterol is off.  Being less active lowers your HDL (Good) Cholesterol.  Get moving 2 to 2 ½ hours a week is all the CDC says you need
4. Tobacco cessation treatment is free under your approved ACA plan with an in-network provider.

Source: CDC.gov

Prevention really is the best medicine. Preventive healthcare is covered 100% by ACA-compliant healthcare plans when using an in-network provider.  That means No copayment and no coinsurance.  You don’t have to meet a deductible first.   The CDC states only half of us take advantage. If you want to make the most of your plan, here are five ideas to get you started:

1. Annual physical exam includes screenings  for things like cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer that are used to prevent illnesses, disease, and other health problems, or to detect illness at an early stage when treatment is likely to work best. Included, too, are iimmunizations and vaccinations for children and adults or your yearly flu shot.  Don’t forget your annual dental check-up if you have dental insurance.
2. Well-woman exam includes a physical exam and screenings for cervical and breast cancer – the most common cancer in women, 1 in 8 will be diagnosed in her lifetime.  Note to women:  your physical covers different topics not covered in your well-woman exam and it is important to complete both yearly.
3. Well-child exam is for any child through the age of 17, when your child is growing, changing, and developing the fastest.
4. Tobacco cessation can help you quit for good by offering counseling and medications at no cost.  Not only can this help save you money on The Arc WC insurance premiums, but it could save your life.  Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. for both men and women.
5. Prepare:  schedule your appoint in advance, have a list of questions to ask the doctor, and ask health questions to your family members as family history is an important indicator for future illnesses.  Keep your questions related to the physical and schedule a separate appointment for any on-going health concerns.  Note: Costs may apply if the screening or exam becomes diagnostic, includes a treatment, or medication are prescribed.

Stress can often lead to headaches and other physical symptoms.  Here are five ways to get you started.
1. Eating right.
2. Make sure to exercise.
3. Getting enough sleep can help get you back on track.
4. If you are having trouble coping, contacting a qualified EAP counselor is always confidential and may provide the help that you need.
5. Each year, you can earn a $50 Health Incentive Credit for each completed “Aetna Journey”. Each journey is designed to take about 32 days. By the end of that time period, you should have developed a new healthy habit! Log into Aetna Navigator at www.aetna.com.
Under the “Stay Healthy” icon, click on “Health Dashboard.”  From there, click on “Launch My Programs”. By clicking on this link, it will take you to your Welcome page.  There are three steps you may want to take: (1.) Step One: Take the Health Assessment.  Based on the results from your Health Assessment, the site will make recommendations for you; (2.) This is Step Two. Follow your HealthMap;
(3.) Step 3 is “Embark on a Journey. You can either click on a Journey icon or Browse all Options. If you want to skip right to all the Journeys, click on Browse All Options Journeys.