At Work teams receptive to changes of mind and body

Exercising has incredible mental health benefits.

Participating in physical activity, even as little as 30 minutes a day over the course of the week can increase the happy chemicals in your brain and reduce anxiety. It can also improve your mental acuity, increases your creative thoughts, and reduce stress.

It's easy to see that the At Work teams have been experiencing awesome changes.

Team Helen's Heroes clipped out their published Daily Herald photo for motivation.

"Personally, it's been a worthwhile experience just to know what I'm putting in my body. Being more conscious about what the nutritional values, serving sizes and benefits of certain foods are has made me feel better about how I am treating my body, " said Chris Renkosiak, team member from Helen's Heroes of Helen Plum Library. "Colleagues have been very supportive of the initiative. Having the photos up in the break room invites questions and sets an example for healthy living."

Another amazing story came from a team member of Elk Strong from the Elk Grove Park District. This team member is ecstatic to be joining her husband in his running activities.

"Her family has given her much support and encouragement that really keeps her going. Her husband runs lots of races of all different lengths. She and her sons have been there to support him for many years," said Team Captain Aileen Tischauser. "She signed up for the Foodie 5K in Wheaton. When her husband told the kids that Mom was running this time, their faces beamed with delight. She was so happy to see those faces and feel that love."

Bill Buchholz, Jr., team captain of the Buckateers from Buck Services, gave a glimpse into the struggles and statements that take place in the office: "Are those pretzels healthy for you? How much sodium is in that pretzel? You are eating the tortilla chips again? I thought we were eating healthy? Get that candy away from us!"

The teams are enjoying their clothes feeling looser, sleeping better, having more energy throughout the day and their co-workers and family expressing compliments and pride.

Many of the team members are certain they would not have been as successful without being in a team.

Their positive changes have boiled over into family life, as one of the tougher issues the teams faced was staying healthy on the weekends. Several teams have converted their household into a healthier lifestyle.