Dolan People: Oklahoma City’s Journal Record staffers are getting healthy
Aug 29th, 2011 | By Dave | Category: Top News, Work Life
By Amanda Compton, Dolan People staff writer – Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Journal Record staffers in Oklahoma City are getting healthy through exercise and better food choices.
Around the first of the year, the junk-filled vending machines were removed from the newspaper’s break room and replaced with Tupperware-style drawer cabinets that now hold healthier food choices such as 100-calorie snacks and fresh fruit. The break room fridge is filled with juice, flavored water, and diet soda that can be purchased on an “honor system” by dropping money into a pink piggy bank.
Journal Record Online Products Managing Editor Dave Rhea running his first half-marathon (13.1 miles) at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon April 25, 2010.
“The honor system has been a hit!” said Journal Record Publisher Mary Mélon, who had the vending machines removed after multiple requests for healthier snacks were ignored by the vending machine company. “I haven’t heard one complaint from the staffers and, in fact, the supply has to be replenished more often than the vending machines ever had to be.”
Additionally, The Journal Record management team holds a monthly contest where participants get free pedometers to track how many steps they take at work. The staffer who takes the most steps gets a gold-plated (spray-painted) pair of running shoes to display at his workspace for the month.
Mary is very passionate about the bad health situation in her home state. “Oklahoma is ranked the very worst in so many categories including obesity, smoking, diabetes and heart disease,” explained Mary. “Promoting a healthier lifestyle starts at home and at work, which is where we spend so much of our time.”
Mélon does more than walk the walk — she also talks the talk. On her own time, Mary does volunteer work related to improving her community and state’s health. In her workplace, not only has she improved her employees’ food choices on-site, but she also offers partial membership dues payment at the YMCA to encourage more physical exercise.
Dave pictured after the Memorial Marathon with his two boys, Cash, 3, and Campbell, 7, on April 25, 2010, in Oklahoma City, OK.
In fact, Journal Record Managing Editor of Online Products Dave Rhea and Managing Editor Ted Streuli take advantage of their YMCA memberships at least three to five days a week.
Ted used to run in his 20s and picked it up again three years ago. Dave started running in November 2008, when Ted invited him to participate in the “Santa Run.”
After running six 5K races and, by his sixth, breaking 30 minutes, Rhea said he ”was hooked and the next logical step was to do a half marathon.” In April 2009, the Oklahoma Memorial Marathon had its 10th anniversary half marathon and Rhea jumped at the chance to run in it.
“Ted and I motivate each other,” said Rhea. “You would think it would be tiresome to spend so much energy in the middle of the day, but it really energizes me the rest of the day.”
On running days, Dave packs his lunch which he says does three things: 1) It helps him save money. Rather than spending ten dollars at a deli, he eats for free at his desk; 2) His lunches are healthier than restaurant fare; and, 3) Eating from his desk allows him the time he needs on the YMCA treadmill. “My sack lunch is a time saver, a money saver and a life saver,” said Dave.
To pass the time on the treadmill, Dave said he enjoys listening to podcasts of NPR’s “Car Talk.” He says this cancels out the boredom associated with the “dreadmill.” During a race or long outside runs, however, Dave said he “kicks it up a notch” and listens to This America Life podcasts. “Ira Glass is so energizing!” he added with a laugh. (Ira Glass is an American public radio personality and host and producer of the radio and television show, This American Life.)
“It is spiritual. It’s solitary,” said Dave about running. “It relieves stress and quickens the mind. Yes, it’s physical, but on so many levels, it’s emotional and cleansing. When you can defeat that part of yourself that thinks you can’t, that is when you are pretty much addicted to running.”
For his 40th birthday in November, Dave plans to run the Tulsa Route 66 Marathon, his first full marathon. “It’s hard to imagine running 25.2 miles but, with proper training, it is not at all impossible.”
While Dave enjoys competitive running, Ted does it to stay fit. “I suppose we’re competitive on some level, but mostly I think we are glad that we both like to run and we offer each other a sense of accountability,” said Dave. “I can’t think of a better way to keep in great physical shape than running with your boss!”
Awesome. Look at you go.