How personal development led to professional gains

Is a college degree in your future? For Juan Munoz, what started as an idea quickly became a reality as the father of three found himself enrolling in college while working full time. Juan began his career with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in 2008 as a help desk analyst. When he was later promoted to help desk team lead, the wheels started turning.

Juan was eager to further his career in management and thought a college degree might be important to his advancement. He turned to the vice president of his department for some advice and the answer to a simple question, “Do you think I need a degree to further my career?” Familiar with Juan’s skills and abilities, his VP told Juan that, to him, the degree was not necessary; but if Juan wanted to advance throughout the organization, it would definitely be to his advantage to further his education. Juan quickly heeded his advice and enrolled that week.

His decision was made easier knowing that Excellus BCBS offered tuition assistance. “Enrolling in the tuition reimbursement program was really easy,” explains Juan. “The company’s internal website had simple instructions to follow.” He worked with the school to provide information on the classes he was enrolled in and the corresponding costs. His leaders reviewed this information and signed off indicating their approval. Once the semester was complete, he would submit his grades. “The company reimbursed the full cost of my entire undergraduate education,” explains Juan.

But Juan didn’t stop there. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in business management from SUNY Brockport, he enrolled in the Executive MBA program at the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School. As you can imagine, attending school, working full-time and raising a family of three young children was not easy. In addition to the support of his wife, Juan received support from his work family as well. “They provided me with the flexibility I needed,” remembers Juan. “This was vital, especially while earning my bachelor’s degree. I often had classes that started at 4pm so I would need to leave work early or come in late depending on my schedule.” The Executive MBA program took place on the weekends but required one Friday each month devoted to class time. “I was fortunate to have lots of flexibility and understanding from Excellus BCBS. In fact, my letters of recommendation for the MBA program came from within the organization.”

Another employee development benefit he took advantage of was the company mentorship program. This allowed him to build on his leadership skills and seek advice when needed. “The relationship I developed through my mentorship still continues today,” says Juan.

Throughout this process, he not only gained valuable knowledge, but he also experienced career advancement, moving to manager of IT Service Management and then to his current role director of IT Computing Operations Management. “My education provided me with a great deal of background knowledge of business management. At the end of the day, you need to understand how to lead people and how organizations need to operate,” explains Juan. Taking the initiative to continue your professional development can set you apart when opportunities for advancement are available. “I think it goes a long way and shows that you are willing to put in the work,” notes Juan.

With three years spent earning his undergraduate degree and an additional two earning his MBA, Juan looks back on the experience with a great sense of accomplishment and would recommend it to others. “As long as you are willing to dedicate your time to the program and make it a priority in your life, it is a great experience.” He does caution that managing your time can be a challenge. “Your free time is going to be limited so it is important to plan each part of your day.”

Juan’s story is just one among many who have taken advantage of the tuition assistance program to further their own personal development. Excellus BCBS greatly values the pursuit of education, understanding that it strengthens the team and fosters innovation. At the start of 2022, a new option was added to the tuition assistance program that allows employees to receive their assistance prior to the start of their class.

To learn more about tuition reimbursement and other benefits offered at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield visit careers.excellusbcbs.com.

Job Opportunities

Are you looking to take the next step in your career and make a difference in others’ lives?

We have the right fit for you. Positions are available in many departments including Customer Care, Operational Excellence, Marketing and Sales, Information Technology, and more. Check us out at ExcellusBCBS.com/Careers. Get to know our people and our values, and grow your relationship with us. For more information, reach out to Director of Talent Acquisition Jason Helsdon at (585) 453-6215 or Jason.Helsdon@excellus.com.

Caring for Our Customers

Our Customer Care Advocates are often the first point of contact for our members and consistently demonstrate our corporate value of “Passionately Serving Our Customers.” They have the power to make an impact and change people’s lives, and they do. In return, the work they do and members they help make a lasting impression on them.

Maryanne Todd and Peggy Crist, both Customer Care Advocates, share how members touched their lives. Both say their work makes them proud to work for a company that cares about its people, members and community.

Maryanne Todd, Customer Care Advocate

“I have always been in the servicing area and really came to love assisting people over the phones. I love speaking to people, hearing their issues and being a problem solver. I really enjoy interacting with our members. I recently had a call from a member. He had several questions about his account and really needed me to explain in detail each of his questions.

The call lasted a better part of 35 minutes. Just before he hung-up he stated that he really appreciated the professionalism and the time I took to go over his questions in such detail that he was able to understand it. He stated I made his entire weekend and really thanked me for being such a nice professional customer service rep.

I’m not sharing this for “kudos” but to show my passion for my job and our members. Health Insurance is very important and very confusing when you don’t work in the field day after day. I feel like I made a real difference for a member and educated him. This is what I enjoy about my job!!!

Peggy Crist, Customer Care Advocate

“I received a call from a member who had recently been diagnosed with a chronic condition. She needed to see how much her treatments and medicines were going to cost. She was scared. I was the first person she told about her diagnosis. We talked about her life and her family. We cried together. Then I looked into her medications. With much relief to both of us they were all covered with minimal costs. She thanked me for “being her angel” that day. I still think about her.”

“Passionately serving our members is part of our customer care organization’s D.N.A.,” said Alex Levi, vice president Customer Care for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “We aim to provide an experience for our members that is low effort, worry free and full of compassion. Our members have a significant impact on our advocates as they help navigate the health care system, often in very challenging circumstances.”

Job Opportunities

Are you looking to take the next step in your career and make a difference in other’s lives?

Healthy Snacking Tips from a Football Party Veteran

Watching the big game can be grueling when you’ve got a super-sized buffet to celebrate.

But you can approach kickoff with a solid game plan to help you avoid getting sacked by too many fatty barbecue wings or ill-advised slices of calorie-laden pie:

Before you start the bash, have a small, healthy snack such as an apple, yogurt or a handful of nuts. If you’re hungry when you start the game day snacks, your willpower will go ‘wide right.’
Set up a salad bar for a super-sized bowl of produce and more. The possibilities are endless and include mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery, carrots, red onions, broccoli, mini peppers, radishes, chick peas, cooked marinated chicken, roasted vegetables, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, orange slices and feta cheese. Make a salad dressing with olive oil and your favorite vinegar. Experiment with spices such as oregano, crushed red pepper, turmeric and curry powder.
For something different make a cauliflower “steak” or “wings”. Roast chickpeas or kale for a crunchy, fun food.
Baked tortilla chips make just as good a base for nachos as their greasy fried counterparts. Stack them high with shredded lettuce, beans, fresh avocado, diced tomatoes, jalapenos and cilantro. If you’re adding ground beef, use the kind labeled “90 percent lean,” and be sure to drain away the fat.

Looking for a healthy, but sweet snack? Try cookie dough hummus. I promise – it’s tasty! The sweetness of the peanut butter, maple syrup, and chocolate chips hides the fact that this is a bean dip! Click on the video below for the recipe.
Another tip is to first take a 30-second food time out to assess all the choices on the game day spread before deciding on what you really want to nibble on. Then, move away from the table or walk around. If you stay next to the food, you’re more likely to overeat.

By being aware of what you are eating and focusing on portion size, you’ll be able to make it to the presentation of the trophy feeling like a winner.

Success at Excellus BCBS: A veteran’s story

“I started at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield on Sept 23, 2002,” recalls Provider Network and Strategy Manager Chad Tooke. Shortly after being hired, he received news of his deployment. “On my first day, I let them know that I was deploying to Afghanistan on Sept 26, 2002, and it did not feel proper to accept the position I was hired for.” Much to his surprise, Chad was told to fill out the orientation paperwork and that his job would be waiting for him when he returned. He was given the rest of the week off to prepare for his deployment and returned, after nearly a year, to resume his role at Excellus BCBS. “I think that is a great testament to our organization and how they support their employees who serve,” says Chad.

Chad joined the U.S. Army in 1992, earning his badge from Air Assault School at Fort Polk, Louisiana. In Afghanistan, he led a civil affairs team that coordinated and conducted the building of wells, schools, and medical facilities to assist the local populace, as well as provided food and clothing. In November 2007, he was mobilized to Fort Dix, New Jersey, for a one-year tour that turned into nearly five years, training soldiers going overseas to the Middle East and Africa. He retired from the Army in June 2015, but carries with him the unique experience and skill set that can only be gained through military service.

“At Excellus BCBS, I found that my military experience and leadership skills were greatly valued,” explains Chad. “It even led to a promotion.” The organization recognizes the special skill set of military members and continues to explore ways they can be utilized within Excellus BCBS.

Supporting a diverse workforce, including veterans and active-duty military, is a top priority for the organization. One way this is accomplished is through employee resource groups (ERGs). ERGs are groups of employees who join together based on shared characteristics, life experiences or interests. They are an extension of Human Capital Management and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, and align themselves in support of the company’s strategy while enhancing career opportunities and professional development goals for employees. With 10 different ERGs throughout the organization, employees of various backgrounds and interests can find many ways to connect.

The Veterans Network ERG focuses on promoting awareness and support for the veterans within the organization, providing a resource for success and advocating on behalf of veterans and veteran-related issues internally and throughout our communities. Members of this group include veterans, active-duty military, and family of those who’ve served.

Each region of the organization has a Veterans Network chair. Chad is proud to be the leader for the Utica region. Since its inception in 2012, the group has sponsored numerous veteran-based events including parades, award ceremonies, and donations to veteran outreach centers. They are proud to not only provide financial support but take an active role in participating in events such as serving Thanksgiving dinner to veterans in need. “Veterans are all about service,” explains Chad. “It is important to provide an outlet to allow them to continue to serve, not only the community, but fellow veterans.”

The Veterans Network also helps provide support for those within in the organization who have the shared experience of military service. Engaging in activities and events together provides a sense of community and promotes wellbeing.
“Knowing that our company supports the Veterans Network and many other ERGs is great,” says Chad. “It shows that our differences are appreciated while we work together toward common goals. The company is invested in us as individuals.’

Job opportunities for veterans

Are you looking to take the next step in your career and build on the unique skills and abilities you’ve acquired during your service? We have the right fit for you. Positions are available in many departments including Customer Care, Operational Excellence, Marketing and Sales, Information Technology, and more. Check us out at ExcellusBCBS.com/Careers. Get to know our people and our values, and grow your relationship with us. For more information, reach out to Director of Talent Acquisition Jason Helsdon at (585) 453-6215 or Jason.Helsdon@excellus.com

Volunteering Virtually and a Fulfilling New Hobby

Grateful to work for a company that gives employees one paid volunteer day per year, I was straining to find a virtual opportunity that was meaningful to me before the year ended and the generosity was lost.

I had almost given up hope when I stumbled on a topic that I value – history! The Smithsonian Transcription Center depends on volunteers to make their collections more accessible. Transcription turns handwritten, typed, and audio recorded materials into searchable and readable resources.

If you like history, treasure hunting, or learning something new, working with The Smithsonian Transcription Center may be a fun virtual volunteer opportunity for you too!

Smithsonian Transcription Center website

The Day Begins

Most of the historical documents are written in cursive and are faded, which makes reading them difficult. Transcribing them makes them discoverable online and readable for anyone, including individuals who depend on technology for text-to-speech conversion.

So, on Friday, December 11, I created an account with the Smithsonian to begin my volunteer work. I spent the first hour reading all the training materials and transcription requirements. There is no expectation to completely transcribe an entire document alone; volunteers can transcribe a new document or continue the work another volunteer has started. Once the document is finished, it’s submitted for review before it’s published.

A Chance To Leave My Mark on History

I got to work reading about the various projects I could select from, and then chose to begin with the Freedmen’s Bureau. As the Civil War was ending, President Abraham Lincoln and members of Congress wanted to help formerly enslaved individuals make the transition to freedom and citizenship. As a result, in March of 1865, The Freedmen Bureau was formed. Transcribing these records is important to me because it makes them accessible for anyone researching their family history and expands our knowledge of the experience of Black Americans during the post-Civil War era.

The Report of Schools for Freedmen document

The time passed quickly, and it was nighttime before I knew it. I checked my activity history to see how much I’d done. In seven hours, I had supported three projects by transcribing ten pages.

Transcribing rows and columns of the was the most tedious task, but deciphering the 19^th century handwritten letters took a lot of patience and problem solving. Even though President Andrew Johnson had the nicest penmanship of all the documents I worked with, I couldn’t quite distinguish between his capital “I” and “J.” Thankfully it’s a collaborative process and another volunteer helped to decode the text.

Deciphering a document from President Andrew Johnson

Discovery of a Local Hidden Treasure

One of the most exciting discoveries recently completed by The Smithsonian Transcription Center was an antislavery newspaper, The North Star, published in Rochester, N.Y. by Frederick Douglass. Included in the 1848 issue is a letter from Douglass to his former enslaver titled, “To My Old Master,” in which he explains his intentions as a runaway, recounts his life in freedom, and signs off “I am your fellow man but not your slave.”

The Frederick Douglass discovery!

Success For the Project … and My Soul

While the main goal of this volunteer opportunity is to transcribe a document, half the fun comes from learning and the excitement of overcoming small challenges as I develop my skills. Aside from being the first person to read forgotten documents and getting that feeling of finding hidden treasure, making my discoveries accessible to others is even more rewarding.

My new virtual volunteer experience has become a hobby and I hope one day I too will contribute to a famous discovery.

To see more discoveries by The Smithsonian Transcription Center, follow them on Twitter @TranscribeSI.

Hidden Gems: Winter in the Mohawk Valley

Those of us who choose to live in upstate New York do so for a variety of reasons. For many of us, one of the biggest is because we love the region’s four very distinct seasons, each with its own unique opportunities for outdoor fun and adventure.

Eve snowshoeing at Moss Lake

Winter Traditions in the Mohawk Valley

Usually, at this time of year, there would be annual winter-themed festivals that would pull people out of the warm confines of their homes and into the crisp winter air, such as the Ice Harvest Festival in East Meredith and the Cooperstown Winter Carnival, both traditionally held in February.

Even though we can’t do most, if not all, of those types of things right now, we still have plenty of options in the Mohawk Valley when it comes to getting outside and being active during the winter.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Potato Hill Farm in Boonville: My favorite place for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing is Potato Hill Farm. It’s part of the Black River Environmental Improvement Association (BREIA); it’s amazing, beautiful land, and there’s a bonus: there are bathrooms on the trail!
FT Proctor Park in Utica: In the winter season, there are few better places to partake in one of my favorite activities, snowshoeing. The park has some hills and a creek – and provides a very tranquil setting for getting out and exercising.
South Woods Switchbacks at Roscoe Conkling Park in Utica: Another favorite is Roscoe Conkling Park and its South Woods switchbacks. The wooded hills provide a good work out whether you’re hiking, shoeing or skiing; and I’ve seen many deer and a few wild turkeys while out on the trail!
Sherrrillbrook Park in New Hartford: Sherrillbrook Park is great for both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, with its varied landscape through open fields and woods. Dog owners should also take note of the park’s dog run.
Moss Lake Trail in Eagle Bay: The Adirondack Park has a lot of places to go, obviously, but one gem that’s on my favorites list is Moss Lake and the Moss Lake Trail. It’s a relatively short jaunt around the lake, but its location deep in the Adirondack Park makes it a particularly beautiful spot – you’re bound to see plenty of wildlife, and the wooden bridges on the trail afford a pleasant view of the surrounding woods and water.

These, of course, are only a handful of the vast number of great locations to get out and explore, exercise or just relax and do a little sightseeing. If you’re looking for more ideas and other places to go, check out the NYS Parks website here: https://parks.ny.gov/ and the Discover Upstate New York website here: https://www.discoverupstateny.com/. Now get out there!

Expert Q&A: How Has Dentistry Been Impacted By COVID-19?

Our expert: Dr. William Zugner has been a clinical peer review consultant for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for more than six years. He is a past president of New York State’s 7 District Dental Society. He is a Fellow in the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists as well as a Member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr Zugner maintains a private practice in Webster, N.Y. and has for 20 years.

How has the pandemic been impacting the health of our teeth?

(Dr. Zugner) Since the start of the pandemic, one issue within my own practice that I have seen a concerning increase in has been patients presenting with jaw and muscle pain and tooth sensitivity/pain from clenching and grinding due to increased stress.

If left untreated, damage such as fractured/cracked teeth and musculoskeletal disorders can occur. The sooner treatment is initiated, the easier it is to break the habit. As always, I recommend to my patients to continue taking good care of your teeth at home and to follow through with all recommended treatments by your dentist.

How have precautions at the dentist’s office changed?

It is true that since the start of the pandemic, the administering of dental care has changed, but not as much as you think. Dentistry has always followed certain precautions that other parts of healthcare haven’t, because historically, the exposure in dentistry has always been high. Universal precautions, like wearing a mask and gloves, were introduced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1985, mostly in response to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. The profession has adhered to these requirements, and to this day the dental operatory is one of the safest places where healthcare is administered.

For example, between each patient, every surface is wiped and sterilized. Additionally, all instruments are immediately removed, cleaned and sterilized. Anything which is deemed single patient use is disposed of and replaced. Moreover, operatories are not set up or prepped for the next patient until right before the appointment. The doctor and all staff change PPE between each patient, and whenever soiled. These are all standard protocols and have not changed in recent times, thus securing a safe environment for both patients and clinicians.

Where might patients notice a difference when visiting the dentist now?

The changes that have occurred in response to the pandemic include enhanced patient and clinician screenings prior to and upon entering the office. Masks are always being worn by everyone in the office, excluding the patient during treatment. All patients and employees are encouraged to stay home if they feel ill. Also, during certain procedures, specialized masks are being worn by those who provide the treatment and are at a higher risk of exposure.

What would you tell a patient who is weighing the decision to visit the dentist during the pandemic?

One must consider the harm that is caused when treatment is delayed. On routine appointments, dentists screen for not only issues with the teeth, but also thoroughly examine supporting structures and assess for any pathology of the head and neck. Routine care is essential in the proper maintenance of one’s health and to allow for early diagnosis of problems.

Woman using telehealth to talk to doctor

Telehealth Is Here to Stay

The COVID-19 pandemic is shedding new light on telehealth. Telehealth is when a patient and a provider communicate by audio, video or text messaging. The number of telehealth visits soared in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. According to a review of claims data from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the insurer processed 2.2 million telehealth claims in 2020. In 2019, the insurer processed 28,529 telehealth claims.

More Upstate New Yorkers Are Using Telehealth

Most adults in upstate New York (77 percent) have heard of or used telemedicine, according to a recent survey by Excellus BCBS. Of those adults who reported using telehealth, 90 percent did so since the outbreak of COVID-19. According to the survey, the most important features of telehealth were the ability to get prescriptions, the ability to avoid in-person visits and the cost of the visit.

New Government Action Expands Access to Care

In addition to helping people avoid in-person visits and get prescriptions, telehealth also increases access to care for people who may not have otherwise had it. Expanding access to care through telehealth was an area of focus in New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 11th State of the State Address. “The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the inequities in our healthcare system and showed that telehealth is a critical tool to expand access and lower costs for low-income communities, especially for behavioral health support,” said Cuomo, as he took executive action to expand access to remote care.

“When seeing a health care provider in person isn’t possible, or preferable, telehealth offers an effective alternative,” said Stephen H. Cohen, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “Telehealth is here to stay, and our health plan will continue develop and support ways to increase access to this innovative way to get care.”

To learn more about your options for telehealth, talk with your doctor or visit ExcellusBCBS.com/Find-a-doctor/Telemedicine.

Hidden Gems: Southwick Beach State Park

Ever since I can remember, I have always been drawn to the water. Whether it be a pool, creek, lake or ocean… didn’t matter. I just wanted to feel my toes in the sand and be one with the water. Now don’t get me wrong, if I had to choose, I would be headed for the turquoise waters and white sandy beaches of Bora Bora, but, let’s face it, I live in Central New York. Even getting close to the sand dunes of the Atlantic shore is well out of the realm of a day trip. However, about an hour north, I can find a close second, right down to the sand dunes; Southwick Beach State Park.

Overlook at Southwick beach

Southwick Beach: Then and Now

I remember going there from an early age. My family would leave our house early morning so we could get a choice spot under a tree. There at the edge of the beach was a picnic area complete with a picnic table and hibachi. The grounds keepers would still be raking the soft sand with their tractors (although they don’t do that anymore). The distinct smell of the beach and sunscreen filled the air with the sound of the waves crashing on the shoreline. We would stay all day until the sun set. The sunsets there are still spectacular!

Sunset at Southwick beach

The Highlights: Waves, Floats and Sandcastles

The waves at Southwick Beach are the best! When my kids were younger, they knew Southwick as “the beach with the big waves.” Back then (and now) one of our favorite things to do was jump the waves. Today my kids have Boogie Boards and we will ride them all day. Hours and hours of exhausting fun!

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The waves can get powerful and sometimes the water has limited access or can be closed altogether. Rip tides can occur too (I did say this was a close second to the ocean!). Best to pay attention to the beach flags or call ahead. My kids do tend to get disappointed when we go and there are no waves, which can happen too. But now, unlike years past, you can also play catch, frisbee, Kan Jam or bring floats to relax on outside of the lifeguarded areas. And let’s not forget sandcastles! Epic sandcastles have been built by many. There is also a newer playground and a campground for the more adventurous. Boredom will be had by no one!

Don’t Miss: The Dunes

Waves or no waves, the beach stretches for miles in both directions with sand dunes all along. The sand dunes are protected so you are not allowed to walk on them but there are nature trails to explore within and endless amounts of beach to walk. The dunes and beach have gone through major transformations in the last few years as work has been done to help fix the erosion caused by recent flooding. The transformations also include a new bathhouse, store, and community fire pit.

A sunset over the dunes at Southwick beach

So, if you are like me and crave to be “one with the water” and the ocean is just too far a trip for you, Southwick Beach is a close second just a short trip north. Surf’s up!

The Details

Location: 8119 Southwicks Place, Henderson N.Y. 13650
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. seasonally from May to October
Admission: Most state parks charge a vehicle fee to enter the park. Fees vary by season and location. For current information, check the Southwick Beach State Park website.
For more information: Southwick Beach State Park website or call (315) 846-5338

5 Ways to Set and Keep Your New Year’s Resolution

Many of us start the year by setting New Year’s resolutions or making plans for what we want to accomplish over the coming months. Here are five tips for setting New Year’s resolutions that will stick.

Determine resolutions you really want

Ask “do I really want this?” and “why have I not done this yet?” When I got married, I worked hard to get into the shape I wanted to be in. I had a strict exercise routine and an extremely healthy diet. I was in the best shape of my life for my wedding. In the five years since then, I slipped back into old habits but I keep resolving to do it again. I finally had to realize the truth is – I know how to do it; I just don’t want to. While I eat healthy most of the time and work out regularly, I also enjoy cake and nachos and I don’t want to give them up! Realizing that I am happier as I am, I have shifted my goals to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and not worrying as much about the number on the scale.

Set realistic resolutions

If what you want to do feels too overwhelming, you probably won’t do it at all. For example, maybe this year you want to finally clean and organize that cluttered basement storage area. If your basement looks anything like mine, that may feel like a very overwhelming task. So instead of looking at the whole room and not knowing where to even begin, break it down. Make your resolution small, for example pledge to spend one hour every Saturday cleaning the basement or going through one storage bin each week to find items to donate. Small actions feel doable and will be more likely kept.

Do not set too many resolutions

If you set too many resolutions, it is unlikely you will keep any of them, therefore, focus on one or two at a time and build in more later. If you want to organize that basement, start a new fitness regimen, learn to cook, and paint three rooms in your home – you are either going to need a lot of free time or just focus on one to start. In the same way, one resolution can feel too large, having too many can result in doing none!

Make changes

These are YOUR goals. If what you are trying is not working, adjust it instead of quitting. When I set out to run a 5K, I found I was terrible at running and did not enjoy it. Instead of quitting, I started walking instead. I shifted the goal to walking each day, until I got up to five miles a day and then got myself to start running. The shift let me still keep the main point (physical activity) and kept me from quitting when it was initially too hard.

Find ways to hold yourself accountable

Share your resolutions with friends and family or share it on social media. Talk about what you are doing and find people who will cheer you on as you get to your goal. It may sound simple, but it works! When I was learning to run a 5K, every time I went out to run, I came home and told my husband how far I had made it that day. He was thrilled and proud (or at least he said he was) every time I hit a new longest run or best time. Every run when I felt I had given it my all and was ready to stop, I would think, “If I can go just 5 more minutes, it will be my longest run yet and I can go home and share the good news.” It kept me pushing harder every time!

What are your resolutions this year? Share with us in the comments section below.

A Healthier Upstate

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