The Wellness Program, designed to help people live healthily, has recently become a way of life for most of the staff at Notre Dame Academy.

The Wellness Committee, staff volunteers who organize the weekly challenges, issues a new challenge every week.  Their aim is to give people facts about bad habits and suggest changes to affect well being and health.

Mrs. Gina Fredrick, a member of the Wellness Committee, is happy with the response of the staff.  “Personally, I was hoping for a lot of participation and enthusiasm and we got it. I am excited to learn about different options in eating, exercising and overall wellness and I think the other employees are excited as well.”

Organized into 11 teams, most of which have weird names, NDA staff members “survive” from week to week by adhering to the guidelines. Each person must succeed for the team to gain points toward a final prize. Over 90% of the staff is participating.

The teams are currently finishing their second week in the seven-week challenge called "Survivor.”  The first week’s challenge was to increase water intake to 64 ounces per day.  This week’s challenge is to limit sodium intake. The challenge for next week is focused on “the soul and spirit.” 

Team members are challenged to either attend the daily morning Mass or spend at least 10 minutes in the school chapel in prayer.  That’s for Monday through Friday, November 8-12.

At a recent inservice, Principal John Ravizza brought in a speaker from Prevea Health who suggested the program and helped the Wellness Committee organize a program for the NDA staff.

The school started this as a team-building activity as well as to educate the employees on healthy living and making good choices. It is meant to be a whole-body wellness--mind, body and soul--and not specifically weight loss or cutting out foods from diets.

The advantages of the water challenge as the first challenge of the seven weeks is that it got people laughing. Participants were so consumed with drinking 64 ounces of water every day that it really made people visit more. The faculty and staff got out of their other-beverage routines, such as drinking tea, coffee and soda, and pushed themselves to drink more water.

People were talking, sharing stories, laughing and visiting the bathrooms.

Mrs. Fredrick said she had not expected to feel different after just four days but actually felt more energetic with all the water intake. “It's amazing what a lot of water can do to you,” she said.

Some staff members want to carry on with this program even after they have finished with the challenges.

“Our first challenge was to drink 64 ounces of water each day. This is what everyone should drink on a daily basis and it's really difficult. It made me realize that I shouldn't be making excuses for only drinking a little water. My body needs more water and I know now that it can be done. It's hard to get used to, but I hope to continue it after this week is over. I think the upcoming challenges will be just as eye-opening for me,” said Mrs. Mary Valitchka.

Teams that survive the challenges will be treated to a healthy meal, not to mention the start of a healthy way of living.