Thanks for stopping by the Activate Elgin website! We’re glad you’re here. The gift of health is priceless- not only does it last a lifetime, but it extends your life. Activate Elgin’s mission is to create a healthier community for us all. This mission involves a journey, and none of us can get there alone. So how can you help? There are many ways that you can become a partner with us in this journey. Where do you fit in?
ADVOCATE
Are you looking for ways to improve your health, but don’t know where to start? Get up and get moving! Exercise boosts brainpower, gives you energy, boosts your mood, and wards off disease. While you’re at it, try keeping track of your diet, and make healthy substitutions when possible. These simple lifestyle changes can have big benefits! Here are a few simple tips to help you get started.
At Home...
· Prepare your meals at home and freeze the leftovers. Home-cooked meals often contain much less fat, calories, and sodium than takeout.
· Eat more fruits and veggies! Experts recommend getting 5-9 servings per day. Not a fan? Try eating one or the other with each meal.
· Exercise. Join a health club or start off slow by taking a walk around the block after dinner. Every little bit counts!
At Work...
· Start a lunchtime walking group. Organize your office staff to walk a 100 miles in 30 days.
· Push for healthier items in your vending machines, or request the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables in your cafeteria.
· Start a worksite wellness team. Distribute monthly newsletters and bring in experts to conduct “Lunch and Learn” sessions. To learn more about Activate Elgin's worksite wellness program, contact the Activate Elgin Coordinator at 847-888-7410.
At School...
· Push for vending policies that eliminate sugary drinks and nutritionally-empty snacks
· Start a “Walking School Bus” program to get neighborhood kids walking or riding their bikes to school. To learn more, click here.
· Start a parent-teacher wellness group with interested parents, teachers, and staff. Or schedule a healthy cooking workshop as an extracurricular session for parents. To learn more about Activate Elgin's healthy cooking workshops, please contact the Activate Elgin Coordinator at 847-888-7410.
In the Community...
· Push for sidewalks, bicycle lanes and pedestrian-friendly intersections
· Volunteer for community events: 5k runs, walks, parades, etc.
We can provide lots of ideas and suggestions for you to try, or you can create your own. When you do, be sure to tell us about it, because what you do counts! We would like to recognize you for the effort, because it’s possible that your effort can inspire others to do the same.
PARTNERSHIP
Do you belong to an organization that wishes to promote health and fitness? Would you like to help us build healthier communities in the Elgin area? We would love to help you promote your efforts.
Activate Elgin is not about competition. We’re not trying to build another fitness gym, health spa or hospital. Our coalition is all about cooperation, collaboration and community connectedness. And since you’re part of our community, we would like for you to consider joining our efforts.
This movement isn’t going to build itself. We believe that collaboration is our greatest asset, and that the health of our communities will improve when groups and organizations share resources and become more involved in the process. Contact us if you would like more information about becoming a partner or getting involved with our leadership team.
Need some support or want to speak out about health and wellness? Give us some feedback! We’d love to hear how you’re doing.
