From KT – June 3, 2012

Greetings to the Good People of DaVita!

Today over 2500 of us launch Match the Mayor for the 5^th year (also known as MTM V). Please take a moment to step back, close your eyes, and picture yourselves getting exercise or eating well with 2500 good partners! While we can’t make it true in the sense of being in the same place, it IS true in terms of us actually doing this together.

A partnership for healthier lives. Starting with our own!

The 2500 registrants already puts us ahead of last year, where we got to about 2200, which was a big jump over the previous year, which was ahead of the prior year, etc.

My goals are:

To get my weight down from 189 to 184 (I weigh myself first thing in the morning, and only on the same scale, the one I have at home).
To exercise 35 minutes on 4 of the 5 weekdays, and allow myself only 25 on one day when I am more rushed.
To exercise 2.5 hours over the weekend.

Village Vitality will post my weekly results versus goal. I will try to send a note out at least every other day, and look forward to reading many of yours. We are in this together! Speaking for myself, I know I have lived a healthier life in each of the first 4 MTM’s, because I know I have to report to all of you, and because I know I have partners in pursuing health.

A quick report on my day today.

I did 28 good intensity minutes on life cycle
2 sets of bench press, 3 sets of curls. 14×120 on first set of bench, 17×20 on first set of curls.
100 crunches
4 minutes of stretching
All in all not a strong weekend regimen, for reasons I will explain. But the total minutes was 43.

Now a moment’s context which will explain why this could be a rough MTM for me. For whatever reason I have had more days of illness and injury in 2012 than the last 10 years combined. So while I usually get exercise 6.5 days a week, this year has been far lower. And 2 weeks ago exactly I pulled a hamstring while attempting to get back into running with a 5 mile loop. Not the most thoughtful move, I know.

So I cannot do the longer outside weekend bike rides I am used to, nor even a long hike. Yikes.

But knowing that many of you have equivalent or bigger obstacles will help me deal with this, get it fixed, and carry on in the meantime.

I flew to Los Angeles yesterday to be a part of the HealthCare Partners Leadership Institute Graduation dinner. For those of you who did not notice, we announced that we were acquiring HealthCare Partners about 2 weeks ago. Their institute is similar to some of the stuff we do at DaVita University. It was a wonderful dinner, 50 graduates – and they spoke of their Mission and culture and good work for patients with the same passion and practicality that we do. It felt like it could have been a DaVita event. They bring us 5000 new teammates and an incredibly track record in improving the health of large populations, taking care of all their needs, not just dialysis.

Today I am flying back to Denver. I will have a couple business calls tonight, then sit back and enjoy a quiet Sunday evening.

Yours in service, yours in exercise, yours in health, One for All, KT

Read more blog posts

« From KT – May 10, 2012 | From KT – June 4, 2012 »

Maggie Lopez said,

June 4, 2012 @ 2:39 am

KT!
I’m so happy we are doing this again, looking forward to reading your progress and cheering everyone on.

Wishing you well,
Maggie Lopez

Tammy Maynard said,

June 4, 2012 @ 5:51 am

Yes Kent, I agree with Maggie! I am so glad that even in the face of an injury you are willing to cheer us on and work to get yourself back in shape. Many of us have had health issues that hold us back and make excuses convenient….but knowing there are 2500 teammates all heading out the door and getting powered up helps to keep me motivated! Looking forward to feeling more energized as the weeks go by..Thanks KT!

Paula Longo-Gilligan said,

June 4, 2012 @ 6:29 am

You go! I’m fairly active, exercising 6 days a week. It’s difficult to say the least b/c I’m not getting any younger-LOL! Additionly I have two young ones at home (11 and 5) but like it is said “When something is important to you time will always be found to do it.” I think is it so important to set a solid example for my kids so that when they get older they realize being active is pivotal to a productive lifestyle.
To keep me motivated I have two quotes in my office at Team Liberty both from the DaVita calendar. 1: “Take care of your body, its the only place you have to live”-Jim Robin 2: “Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”-Edward Stanley
To keep me honest I just began using a great application on my mobile. It’s called My Fitness Pal. It’s really helped me be conscious of what I eat all day every day even down to the half and half in my coffee! Great App! Keep on Keepin On! One for all! PLG

Marla Lewiski said,

June 4, 2012 @ 7:18 am

Good Morning,KT!!
This is my first ‘Match the Mayor’ and I’m way overdue in taking control of my ever-increasing weight. Thanks for offering this opportunity and challenge at a time when I need it most!
I started working out with a trainer the end of April and have taken advantage of the gym available to us in the new Malvern office; however, while I may be getting stronger, I’ve gained 5-6 lbs during this time. Now I need to focus more on my diet while keeping up the workout regimen. My goal is to lose 10 lbs in the next 6 wks, then – here’s the hard part! – keep it off while on vacation for 2 wks 🙂
Here’s to better health – together!!
Good Luck,
Marla Lewiski

Kathleen said,

June 4, 2012 @ 7:38 am

Thank you for having this program. My goal is to get into the habit of at least walking on my walking machine everyday, so that when this ends, and I can’t track here anymore that I will have formed a good habit. I started to work for DaVita in September, and have never seen a company with such wonderful programs. I wieghted 228lbs when I started, made it down to 210lbs, but over the past 4 weeks, have gone back up to 214.4. My goal is to lose at least 1 pound a week through this program so that I will end it below 210 pounds. Thank you for this program, and thank you for the wonderful new gym at Team Evergreen.

Diane Auger said,

June 4, 2012 @ 7:48 am

Yes me too! I have lost 60lbs in the past 2 years in part to Match the Mayor and was asked to share my story. I had knee replacement surgery in 2007 which in turn led to back surgery in 2008. Once I got over the recovery period I discovered I could move pain free and I had a knee that worked! It was like Christmas! So with this new lease on life I was able to exercise and the weight started comming off. I do have about 20 lbs to go and part of my motivation comes from Davita teammates and the Mayor-if you guys with schedules as busy as yours can get in there and exercise I can certainly find the time to get healthy. I also have part of a speech written by Theodore Roosevelt given over 100 years ago on the wall at my desk–I believe it’s called “Man in the Arena”. I box so I relate to the boxing analogy. I can post it if anyone would be interested in reading it or you can get it on the internet. Really a great speech. Well Happy Monday to all and I am looking forward to reading everyones posts!

Beverlee Stemple said,

June 4, 2012 @ 8:02 am

Whoot! Whoot! MTM V is on! I am hoping to run my first 5K this year. I figure if I can ride 250 miles on a bike, I should be able to run a 5K. I’m also hoping to finish the Tour DaVita century ride before the sun sets this year! 🙂

KT – Hope your hamstring heals quickly…

Marsha Barrett said,

June 4, 2012 @ 9:01 am

Greetings from a newbie to MTM! Timing is everything. As of June 1 I have a new team so what better way to start then by forming a team and dragging, I mean encouraging my new teamamtes to join me in MTM. We are small this year but I bet once everyone sees what fun we had they will want to join in the next opportunity. I am armed with lots of info on my new state of MA that promises lots to see and do. Been her 18 months and haven’t seen or done much yet so I’m looking formward to it. Lots of hiking trails in and around New England so I can get in a bit of travel too. Goal to lose 25 pounds which seems like a lot in 6 weeks but I am one of DaVita’s better nourished teammates so I think its possible. And I figured out three laps around my office building is one mile. So a couple of those a day paired with healthier eating and no iced coffeee, soda or ice cream for 6 weeks and we will see what happens. Best of luck to all.

Lourdes Castillo said,

June 4, 2012 @ 9:26 am

This is my 1st MTM I really need to go back on shape, so I hope with your support and encouragement I’ll be able to do it… and overcome all my obstacles specially my biggest one “The couch”

Let’s do it !!!

Jon Walters said,

June 4, 2012 @ 9:54 am

I wish this started in Jan! I have lost 30 lbs since then and continue to get in better shape. Thanks for the opportunity to get something else out of it, somedays its hard to get motivated to exercise, This will give me an added boost.

Thanks again,
Jon

Wendy Nedley-Flinn said,

June 4, 2012 @ 11:19 am

Hello!
I am so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the Match the Mayor experience! As a new teammate,coming to DaVita was more than I ever expected from an employer! I found life balance (after I got my feet on the ground with my IC role)something I had been missing for five years at my previous job. I recently started to change my eating habits, incorporated a walking program and feel so much better than I have in years! I have a team that is so supportive (and competitive:))and always there to cheer you on! I look forward to this challenge & seeing IMT building a healthier life together, much success to all!

Nadia Sawaya said,

June 4, 2012 @ 1:53 pm

Today is my first day at Davita and as soon as I heard about this program, I jumped in and signed up!! what a great program! I recently started Pilates and cardio training on a regular basis– this program is quite motivating and looking forward to following up on all your journeys and experiences– !

In response to comments on his June 3 Journal KT said,

June 7, 2012 @ 1:38 pm

Nadia Sawaya – Today is my first day at Davita and as soon as I heard about this program, I jumped in and signed up!! what a great program! I recently started Pilates and cardio training on a regular basis– this program is quite motivating and looking forward to following up on all your journeys and experiences !

KT – Welcome to the Village! kt

Village Vitality said,

June 7, 2012 @ 3:10 pm

Wow – we are off to an amazing start to MTM V! It’s wonderful to see so many teams signed up. We hope MTM V will help everyone stay on track and also help in achieving new goals! Here’s to an exciting 42 days!
– Village Vitality Wellness Team