Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2018

Keep your resolutions relevant all year By Andrea Nagel Millions of Americans make resolutions every year— to lose weight, eat healthier, feel financially stable or to reduce stress levels. With less than a 10 percent success rate among these goal-setters, the way you go about reaching your goal may be more important than you realize. “Creating specific, measurable steps will help you achieve your goals,” said Jason Crouse, certified health coach for Kootenai’s MyHealth employee wellness program. “For example, if you want to lower your blood pressure, don’t use an objective like, ‘lower blood pressure.’ Instead try, ‘I will go for a walk after work for 30 minutes four times each week.’ This goal is action-based and realistic and details exactly what you should do.” Reaching health and fitness goals alone can be challenging. That’s why Jason recommends teaming up with others with similar goals for support and accountability. This past year, a group of co-workers at Kootenai Heart Clinics That Stick Northwest in Spokane teamed up to extend Kootenai’s Weight Watchers group to their office. Together, the group of about 10 people has managed to lose over 370 pounds since April 2017. “I’m thrilled Kootenai is supporting us and allowed us to start a second meeting here in Spokane,” Kathy Walker, certified medical assistant, said. “Because we’re away from the main campus, we don’t always have the same options here, and the organization and MyHealth team have been really supportive in bringing more wellness services to us.” In 2017, the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane Weight Watchers groups, totaling approximately 30 Kootenai Health employees, lost a combined 860 pounds. Group members credit this success to the support and accountability offered in a group setting. “The group meetings feel safe. There’s no judgment, and we celebrate each other’s successes,” Karla Jones, Kootenai Clinic business services manager, said. “Kudos to Kootenai for doing this for us.” Goals 12