Power Henrico

Team Henrico Captures First Place in the Concept 2 Fall Team Challenge Rowing Competition

Christy Nealey

Every year, Concept 2 launches a Fall Team Rowing Challenge from September 15th through October 15th, and the goal is to create a team and collectively row as many meters as possible against hundreds of other teams worldwide (view Concept 2’s Challenges). Team Henrico has been conquering since their first 1st Place Corporate Division finishes in 2019 and then again in 2020. After a loss in 2021 and taking a year off in 2022, Team Henrico rejoined this year with a fresh new outlook.

Team Captain and Public Safety Fitness Trainer Joshua Gaskins began to recruit employees in a new way. He enlisted participation from the Division of Fire’s (DOF) 80th Recruit Academy, Henrico Police Division’s 78th and 79th Basic Recruit Academies, the Sheriff’s Office 66th Recruit Academy, the Public Safety Tactical Strength & Conditioning Class, the Fire Training Tower Fitness Class, the Fit Plus exercise group, and Senior Fitness Trainer Joey Pacelli’s Foundations class, to the many already individually registered employees from all public safety divisions and general government. Throughout the competition, participants completed Joshua’s uniquely designed rowing workouts to enhance adherence and enjoyment and increase the meters rowed.

After much diligence, Team Henrico completed a total of 4,164,729 meters and achieved 1st place in the Corporate Division for the 3rd time! They also placed 7th overall worldwide, excluding the virtual teams competition (view results here)! The DOF 80th Recruit Academy led the team with 759,962 meters, and Deputy Fire Chief Douglas Clevert achieved a new all-time individual participant record with 501,409 meters. 

Team Henrico celebrated with a pizza party hosted at the Woodman Road Fire Training Facility, where Joshua Gaskins gave kudos and well-earned calories to the team members (the number of calories burned rowing 4 million meters equals 109 large pepperoni pizzas). An achievement award was given by the Human Resources (HR) Department and can be seen above the check-in computer at the Henrico Training Center gym.

For 2024, Team Henrico is ready to strive for 1st place worldwide, but not without the help of more avid Henrico County employees. Although Joshua and the Fitness and Wellness Division of HR are still working on a game plan for 2024, their vision includes teams from each department that could designate at least once per week to utilize a Concept 2 Rower to add additional meters to the team total.

 

Go Team Henrico! “We Don’t Quit.”

 

Read More

Join us for a Healthy Eating Lunch & Learn Series

Christy Nealey

Healthy eating learning opportunities impart knowledge and skills to help employees choose and consume healthy foods and beverages.

 

Get answers to one of the most important questions you can ask yourself, how can I live the most extended, healthiest life possible? The Human Resources’ Fitness & Wellness Division has teamed up with Bon Secours Outpatient Nutrition to provide nutrition education programming to County employees in person and virtually. 

 

All nutrition sessions present contemporary scientific information on nutrition and disease prevention while building awareness of ways to preserve optimal lifetime health. From diabetes, emotional versus mindful eating, sports nutrition, macronutrients, and meal planning, you’ll go beyond the ‘fluff’ and explore how to make small and sustainable behavior changes to positively impact your nutritional health and overall wellness.

 

In case you missed the ‘Balancing Macronutrients’ class offered in July, you can view the whole presentation or just the slideshow online. Here is what your co-workers had to say about it:

I enjoyed the presenter’s style… the nutrition information was explained in a way that was not technical and easy to understand.  

This was great… I’m looking forward to the next class on Meal Planning.

I thought the class was very interesting and informative! The presentation was easy to understand, and she was obviously very knowledgeable and a good speaker.

The class was really good and what some of us needed. The information was very valuable, and I’m looking forward to the meal planning one. I am going to change some of the things I buy from now on.

 

Visit the Fitness & Wellness SharePoint site for a complete list of upcoming sessions. 

You can attend in person or virtually and register by emailing Fitness@henrico.us.

 

Join us on August 24 for our next session all about Mastering Meal Planning!

Read More

The 2023 Battle for the Throne

Christy Nealey

The Division of Fire earns top honor with firefighters Zachary Sayles’ and Nathan Beahm’s back-to-back wins.

The June 2nd battle for the “Fittest Public Safety Division of the Year” was like no other in history. The 2023 Public Safety Games teams series was quite the performance to watch, with seven very eager Division of Fire teams competing against one another throughout May in 3 qualifying events: A 60-minute Endurance Run-Row-Bike sequence, a 15-minute Dumbbell Work Capacity Event, and a Pentathlon for the Strength Event. Each team earned points based on their rank from the seven events, and the top 2 teams earned their spot in the Final Obstacle Course Event. After many years of participating in the Public Safety Games, Firefighter (FF) Tanner Kump, with his teammate FF Lam Le, claimed the 2nd place spot to enter into the Public Safety Games final event facing the 2022 defending champions FF Zachary Sayles and Lt. Natham Beahm!

The final event included an 8-stage indoor course that featured many “Strongman” implements like the Yoke, “Strongman” bags, rope climbs, kettlebells, and barbells mixed with echo bikes, rowers, and stair climbs. After completing the first four stages of the course, the firefighters had to finish the course in all of their gear and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). In its entirety, it was a consummation of many performance tasks a tactical athlete could endure that relied heavily on teamwork, communication, tactical awareness, mental acuity, and the overall ability to work for an extended period in a high-stress environment.

Congratulations to Station 6 B-Shift FF Zachary Sayles and Lt. Nathan Beahm for successfully defending their 2022 title and to the Division of Fire for claiming the Fittest Public Safety Division of the Year title for the fifth time! Their names have been added to the Public Safety Games “Fittest Public Safety Division” plaque inside the lobby of the Henrico Training Center.

Alongside the main competition, we had many other public safety personnel support their respective divisions (Police, Fire, and Sheriff) through individual competitions that included cardiovascular, work capacity, and strength events. There were also ten non-competitive, honor-system-based mini-events to give more participants the opportunity to join the fun and support their divisions without worrying about their age or fitness levels. Congratulations to the Division of Police for collecting the most points from the individual competitions. 

All in all, this year’s Public Safety Games were successful, and we hope participation continues to grow! We look forward to the 2024 Public Safety Games, the 8th anniversary of the Games, as our vision continues to unfold.

Head to the Fitness and Wellness SharePoint page to see all the details of the Public Safety Games events, including the preliminary events, final obstacle course, and mini events. There are also plenty of captured moments and videos of the action!

Once again, congratulations to all the winners!

If you are sworn public safety personnel and are interested in either the Public Safety Games or joining any of our sworn only fitness programs please contact Joshua Gaskins at gas001@henrico.us or 501-7218.

For more information about all of our programs, please view the Fitness and Wellness Division Sharepoint:

https://henricova.sharepoint.com/Fitness_Wellness

 

Read More

Eat Seasonally

Christy Nealey

Eating seasonally grown foods promotes health, supports local economies, and contributes to environmental sustainability. In addition, the advantage of aligning our diets with natural production cycles. Seasonal eating provides the freshest and most nutritious foods. Fruits and vegetables that ripen naturally and are harvested at the right time are richer in flavor, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients are crucial for maintaining a balanced diet and overall well-being.

Summer brings a seasonal abundance of delicious new foods and is the perfect time to introduce new fresh fruits and vegetables to the entire family. Try these four summer produce superstars:

  • Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries provide vitamin C and antioxidants that support immune systems and overall health. They’re also a good source of fiber – with raspberries leading the way at 8 grams of fiber per 1-cup serving.
  • Try buttery avocados by adding them to tacos, as a spread on grilled cheese sandwiches, or with eggs in the morning. They contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, fiber, vitamins E and C, and potassium.
  • Technically a fruit, tomatoes provide fiber, vitamins A and C, potassium, and other important minerals. Available in various colors and sizes, their naturally high-water content makes tomatoes a hydrating choice. Slice tomatoes and serve with a bit of olive oil, basil, salt, and pepper. Add them to sandwiches or chop them up and toss them into salads and pasta dishes. Another fun idea – make your own fresh salsa.
  • Nothing says summer like a fresh slice of watermelon. This summer favorite is easy to eat and tastes great. With one of the highest water contents of any food, it’s great for keeping hydrated on scorching days. It is also packed with vitamin C and lycopene – a plant nutrient and antioxidant property. Lycopene is the pigment that gives red and pink fruits their color and is linked to health benefits ranging from heart health to protection against sunburns and certain types of cancers. Serve watermelon wedges for dessert, cut them into cubes and mix them into a fruit salad, or put watermelon chucks in the blender with ice, lime juice, and honey for a refreshing slushy drink.

As different fruits and vegetables come into season, you can explore new flavors by selecting seasonally grown produce as the main ingredient to diversify your meals. By making mindful choices about the foods you consume, you can enhance your well-being while positively impacting the local community. 

Read More

Anthem Corporate 5K

The Anthem Corporate Run is part 5k, part team building, and ALL FUN! Join Team Henrico for this post-work event that is ideal for bringing colleagues together, uplifting spirits, and engaging in some active enjoyment.  With a DJ providing the tunes, this occasion caters to all levels of activity, from avid runners – to joggers – to casual walkers.

2022 marked the first year since 2017 that Team Henrico participated in the event, and we had a blast!  Not only did everyone have a great time at the event but we reclaimed our rightful spot atop the leaderboard for the Military/Government division.  We are encouraging any permanent employee for Henrico to sign-up and help Team Henrico remain in the top spot in at least one of the divisions.  So, dust off your running/walking shoes and start getting some miles in because Thursday June 8th is quickly approaching!

Click here to register for the event and be automatically signed up to be on Team Henrico (use code TeamHenrico if prompted) AND receive the County discount ($20 off).  If you have any questions, please contact Joey Pacelli @ PAC037

Register for the 5k

Read More

Join Us for Henrico’s Life-long Wellness Fair

Christy Nealey

Henrico’s Life-long Wellness Fair: Taking Action To Live Well Now And To Prepare For The Unexpected.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 11 AM – 1 PM

Henrico Western Government Center, Administration Courtyard Fountain – rain back up first level of the parking garage

May is National Employee Health and Fitness Month and Older Americans Month. Both observances aim to improve the health of the workforce through all stages of employment and past retirement. Through initiatives and helpful programs and services, these campaigns encourage employees to make ‘healthy the norm” by cultivating sustainable life-long wellness action beyond May.

The Life-long Wellness Fair: Taking action to live well now and to prepare for the unexpected employee event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 11 AM – 1 PM at the Henrico Western Government Center, Administration Courtyard Fountain (rain site: first level of the parking garage). 

The fair offers a variety of free health, fitness, and preparedness educational vendors such as

  • Blood pressure Screening
  • Free and Discounted gym memberships
  • Employee and community fitness and recreation programming
  • Virginia Extension Office, Keep Henrico Beautiful, HEART
  • Financial preparedness resources
  • Henrico’s Fire Marshall’s office and CARE
  • Bystander CPR, Safety, and AED
  • EngAge Advocate for the Aging & Eldercare resources
  • Wills/Power of Attorney/Probate

There will also be giveaways and much more!

Read More

Monument Avenue 10K Recap

Christy Nealey

Over 100 Henrico County Employees showed up to The Annual Monument Avenue 10K on Saturday, April 22. This was the largest showing of Team Henrico in recent years.  Check out these photos of employees who participated in the race and the cheer team that supported them!

 

Be on the lookout for more information for our next run: The Anthe Corporate 5K on June 8.

Read More

Henrico has H.E.A.R.T. this Earth Day

Christy Nealey

April 22nd is Earth Day, an annual event celebrated since 1970 to promote environmental protection. Henrico County has a long history of environmental stewardship and has recently strengthened that commitment by creating Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team (H.E.A.R.T.). H.E.A.R.T. is a robust committee of county employees representing many different departments. The committee is focused on identifying sustainability initiatives and goals to improve county operations in the areas of green space and recreation, energy resources and conservation, water, mobility and active transportation, and education and outreach. Cari Tretina and Steve Yob are leading the H.E.A.R.T. effort, which will soon expand to involve representatives of the Henrico community, including a youth council.  

Henrico County will celebrate Earth Day this year with a public festival at Deep Run Park on Saturday, April 22nd, from 10 AM – 1 PM, hosted by Recreation & Parks and Keep Henrico Beautiful. The event will feature live music, food trucks, and activities such as face painting, seed planting, a sensory-friendly activity tent, and a vendor fair. County departments, local environmental groups, and business vendors will share information on energy efficiency, recycling, residential solar, air quality, native plants, and more. In addition, Tech For Troops will be collecting retired technology and refurbishing it to help veterans in need. A list of equipment they accept can be found at https://techfortroops.org/support/equipment-donations/. Go green by recycling your old technology to help a veteran.

Read More

Living Longer- the Blue Zone Mentality

Christy Nealey

According to world Blue Zone research, the longest-living people on earth eat a fiber-rich diet and rely on locally grown fruits and vegetables. What began as a National Geographic expedition to uncover the secrets of longevity evolved into discovering the five places around the world where people consistently live over 100 years old, dubbed the Blue Zones. Subsequent studies indicate only about 20% of how long the average person lives is dictated by our genes, whereas our lifestyle dictates the other 80%. National Geographic and the National Institute on Aging researchers found the five demographically confirmed, geographically defined areas with the highest percentage of centenarians – Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; and Okinawa, Japan. Besides having a large percentage of people that live to 100, the aging population also remains active well into their 80s and 90s and typically does not suffer the degenerative diseases common in most of the industrialized world.

The top lessons from the world’s Blue Zones on living a long, healthy life are to move naturally, have a purpose, be in the right tribe, and eat wisely. Moving naturally throughout the day – walking, gardening, doing housework – is a core part of the Blue Zones. Knowing why you wake up in the morning makes you healthier and happier and adds up to seven years of extra life expectancy. The Okinawans call it ikigai (pronounced e-key-guy) and the Nicoyans can it plan de vida. In the United States, the common term is purpose – to have intention. Finding your tribe supports human nature to search for belonging by looking for people who share commonalities or possess the traits we aspire to adopt. The world’s longest-lived people have close friends and strong social networks. The last lesson, eat wisely, combines attitudes toward food and consumption behaviors. People living in the Blue Zones areas stop eating when their stomachs are 80% full and eat their smallest meal in the early evening. They select vegetables, fruits, and whole grains or beans as the cornerstone ingredients of most meals while meats are eaten in small amounts. Finally, the enjoyment of moderate consumption of wine with friends and/or with food is widely practiced.

Creating a Blue Zones lifestyle is possible with focused intention. Moving more throughout the day can be as simple as walking daily. Finding meaningful work and intentionally aligning values to everyday actions are steps to living with purpose. When creating your tribe, looking for people ‘instantly recognizable” or who feel “deeply familiar” is a very Western idea. The downside is pushing to the side the person you don’t feel an instant affinity with. Consider including in your tribe those you resonate with and those who challenge you to see the world in a new way. Most Americans find adding fruits to their meals easy, but we struggle with adding vegetables. Add a salad. Salads are a great way to add a good amount of nutrient-rich vegetables to your diet. Let’s start with three different salad recipes from EatingWell that will fill you up and delight your taste buds.

 

Italian Chopped Salad

Roasted Sweet Potato and White Bean Salad

Lemony Lentil Salad with Feta

Read More