Summertime is fast approaching and many are taking the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and warm weather. Did you know many of your outdoor tasks count as exercise? Walking, gardening, doing yard work, cleaning house, playing fetch with your dog and anything else that increases your heart rate count as exercise.

Exercise is an important part of managing your overall health, and offers diverse benefits, including reducing and helping control diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association, exercise can:

• Improve your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol

• Lower your risk for diabetes, heart disease and stroke

• Help you relieve stress, increase your energy levels and help you sleep better

• Help insulin work better

• Strengthen your muscles, bones and heart

• Improve your blood circulation

• Keep your body and joints flexible

You don’t have to spend hours exercising to see results and begin to feel better. By increasing your physical activity to 30 minutes, you can improve your overall health. You can even split the time into smaller 10 minute sessions. For example, try walking for 10 minutes after each meal.

Employees in the Chickasaw Nation Division of Treasury recently embarked on a challenge to get healthy, exercise more and lose weight. Over a three month period, 25 employees combined to lose over 300 pounds by making healthy choices and exercising. Christy Dean stresses the importance of taking any weight loss or exercise program day by day, “even if you cheat one day, go right back to eating right and exercising the next…don’t say I’ll just start over Monday.” Kay Wynn urges everyone to set a goal and commit to it and utilize available resources. “We have a lot of great resources available here at the Chickasaw Nation, and everyone was willing to help us” said Wynn. Nutrition Services and the Wellness Center played a key role in their exercise and weight loss challenge by providing helpful counseling and tips.

The Chickasaw Nation Wellness Centers are available to help you meet your exercise and wellness goals as well. The centers provide education, mentoring, monitoring, incentives and access to activities to promote exercise, nutrition and overall improved health. The facilities are open to Chickasaw citizens, Chickasaw Nation employees and American Indian senior citizens free of charge. The facilities are also open to the public for a small fee.

Program Requirements:

• CDIB, tribal citizenship card or employee badge

• Children must be 12 years of age or older to use equipment

Locations:

Ada

229 W. Seabrook Road, Ada, OK 74820

Phone (580) 310-9661 • Fax (580) 310-6666

Ardmore

911 Locust Street, N.W., Ardmore, OK 73401

Phone (580) 222-2828 • Fax (580) 222-2829

Tishomingo

821 E. 6th, Tishomingo, OK 73460

Phone (580) 387-2711

Hours of operation for all facilities:

Monday-Thursday 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to noon Closed Sunday and federal holidays

Equipment and Services:

• Treadmills

• Arc Trainers

• Recumbent Bikes

• Weight Machines

• Personal Training

• Evaluations/Consultations

• Free Weights

• Aerobics/Cross Training

Nutrition Consultation The Chickasaw Nation encourages all employees to be active and improve their overall health through the Employee Wellness Program. For more information in this program, please Melinda Ward or Erica Berryman at (580) 310-9661.

You should always see your doctor before beginning an exercise program. Your doctor can advise you about modifications to your exercise plans for any conditions you may have.