View this email in your browser

The memories we make with our family and friends are everything, especially on Thanksgiving Day — all day! That’s why each year we have the Western & Southern Birds of a Feather Family Award at the starting line of the race. Your big happy bunch could be honored with a unique trophy — the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving Day dinner table — and lots of fun gifts.
 
Here’s how you can be eligible to win:  Sign up at least 10 family members or friends for the W&S 10k, the Chick-fil-A 5k, or the ProAmpac Kids Run — then contact us with your list. We will randomly select the winning group, notify you, and set up the starting line party and trophy presentation. Last year, the honor went to Keep Going 25, a local charity with 91 friends and family!
 
Sign up everyone today. You can all share a healthy running tradition together and then share your turkey and pumpkin pie. It’s going to be a great Turkey Day!

We will be more successful if we focus on the positive feelings such as increased energy and making friends. “The only way we are going to prioritize time to exercise is if it is going to deliver some kind of benefit that is truly compelling and valuable to our daily life,” says Olympian Julie Isphording with Secret.

“One of the reasons people fail is that they jump in and do everything – change their diet, start exercising, stop drinking and more – and within weeks they lose the motivation to continue,” says Frank DeJulius, owner of Fleet Feet. “If you haven’t been in shape, it’s going to take time.”

“You don’t want to be miserable,” says Charlie Hall, CEO of Alpine Valley Water. “Find some elements of exercise that you love and make them fun – the feeling of getting stronger, the pleasure that comes with mastering a sport, and the joy of sharing activities with other people.”

“We aren’t in this game to be perfect,” says Mark Becker, CEO of Exercise & Leisure. “What fun is that? Take your exercise program in stride and realize that there will be other demands on your time — family, friends, and work – and that’s ok.”

“Anything that allows you to exercise while achieving other goals provides more gratification,” says Isphording. “For instance, walking with your family, hiking through a beautiful trail, or training for a charity run is more meaningful.”

“When you take up running, it can be tiring just getting out of the door – Where are your shoes? Your water bottle? What route are you going to take? Plan and prioritize,” says DeJulius. “It saves so much time, energy and discipline.”

“If previous fitness programs haven’t worked, don’t beat yourself up – just try something else,” says Becker. “If people fail a few times, they think it’s a failure of the entire project. Remember, it is possible to get back on track.”

“The real measure is that you’re sweating, out of breath, and you’re working at a level where it’s not comfortable to have a long conversation with somebody while you’re doing it,” says Hall.

“Tap into the vast network of fitness podcasts, local classes, Fleet Feet training groups, and online communities when your spirit is waning,” says DeJulius.

“Write out a list of questions before the appointment to ensure you don’t forget details,” says Dr. Bill Barrett, medical director, Barrett Cancer Center at UC, and founder, Cincinnati Cancer Advisors. “More importantly, prioritize the questions in case you don’t get to everything in one appointment.”

That includes herbal and over-the-counter medicines and prescriptions you’ve gotten from another doctor. “And bring the actual bottles with the original labels,” says Barrett. “We can double check the dosing and make sure there aren’t any unanticipated interactions.”

Writing down what the doctor says can help jog your memory after the visit is over. “We know patients forget most of what a physician says as soon as they walk out,” says Barrett. “Don’t feel embarrassed to take notes, ask a question if you don’t understand something and call the office if you need anything clarified.”

Uncomfortable topics, such as poor eating habits, medication adherence or risky practices can cause patients to avoid or lie about the subject. “If you’re not being truthful then we can’t do the best job of taking care of you,” says Barrett. “And please don’t leave things out, such as symptoms that you feel may not be important. Let us be the judge.”

Going to an appointment accompanied by someone is essential if you’re expecting important test results. Older people, who may have trouble understanding or remembering things, can especially benefit. “If it’s a test result that shows cancer, a lot of people will just stop hearing what you say after the word ‘cancer’ and that’s all they will remember,” says Barrett. “Having somebody else there can help with information shared during the visit.”

Don’t skip your follow-up appointment if you didn’t adhere to everything the doctor told you to do… like get more exercise. Instead, discuss with your doctor whether the goal was set too high. “It’s important to develop a treatment plan that you know you can follow,” says Barrett. “I want you to succeed so let me know what’s realistic.”

When a health concern provokes fear and stress, some patients need to work up the nerve to ask about it, sometimes when the doctor is about to walk out the door. “Try not to delay the most difficult issue, even if it’s a tough one, so it gets the right amount of time during the visit,” says Barrett.

“When someone is going through a hard time, even if you’ve experienced something similar in the past, you don’t always have to say something,” says John Barrett, CEO of Western & Southern. “Being a good listener and acknowledging their feelings can let them know they’re not alone.” 

“Bad things are going to happen. When they do, blaming others is not a good look,” says Fred Cernetisch with Pella. “Be accountable. Own up to the mistake. It shows character and can build trust.”

“People don’t like to be reminded when they made a wrong decision. And they certainly don’t like to be reminded that they could have avoided a massive headache if they had only listened to you,” says Peter Frey with Prolink.

Nobody likes to be labeled. “Words like ‘always’ or ‘never,’ no matter how nicely you say them, put people on the defensive. Focus on the problem, not the person,” says Alvin Roehr, CEO of Roehr Insurance Agency.

“This can put someone on the immediate defensive and makes them more cautious of betting on themselves in the future,” says Cernetisch.

“When something bad happens to someone we care about, our initial instinct may be to cheer them up,” says Frey. “Instead, let them lean on you. Few things feel better than the support of a friend.”

“This phrase has a condescending tone. Instead, choose phrases that sound more collaborative,” says Barrett.

“This phrase is somewhat dismissive, so people may feel as if you do not care,” says Roehr.

“Even the smallest expenses can add up fast,” says Tyler Lang, CFA from Journey Advisory Group. Look at your budget and lifestyle and consider ways to cut expenses.”

“Even in the best of times, it can make sense to have a little extra money put aside for emergencies,” says Todd Steinbrink, CFP, Wealth Planning, Corp. a 40-year-old company.  “An emergency fund can provide a financial buffer when an unexpected cost pops up.”

“Not only can debt be overwhelming and stressful, but it can strain your budget, too,” says Lang. “There are lots of different strategies you can use to pay off debt.”

“Diversifying your investment portfolio means investing your money in a variety of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investment options,” says Steinbrink. “Diversification can help you reduce risk — both during an economic downturn and when the market is volatile.”

“Planning for a financial emergency may help ease your mind when the economy is unpredictable,” says Lang. “And it helps to have a plan in case the unexpected brings additional expenses or a loss of income.”

Copyright @ 2024 W&S Thanksgiving Day Race, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you opted in as a current or past participant, charity, sponsor, volunteer, or supporter of the W&S Thanksgiving Day Race.