Extra Credit Activities

Participants will receive 10 “extra credit” points for completing an Extra Credit activity. Each item can only be selected once for the duration of the game. A total of 10 Extra Credit Points are available each week.

Choose an active commute
Saving at the gasoline pump isn’t the only benefit of taking public transportation. An active commute is also a healthy commute. Nearly one-third of transit users meet the Surgeon General’s recommendations for 30 minutes of physical activity per day just by walking to and from transit.

If you are not already using transit try it out. Employees who are eligible for benefits can use their King County identification card to ride free on the Metro Transit, Sound Transit, Pierce Transit, and Community Transit bus systems as well as Sounder Commuter Rail, light rail and the Elliot Bay Water Taxi.

Already a transit user? Try to make your commute even more active. Get off the bus a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way or try biking.

Create or update your Personal Health Record
A Personal Health Record can help you understand and manage your medical information to improve your well-being and the quality of health care you receive. With a Personal Health Record you can view your medical record, get test results, and refill prescriptions. You can also share information with your doctor which can help reduce duplicate tests and allow you to receive faster, safer treatment in an emergency. In short, a Personal Health Record helps you play a more active role in your healthcare. To create your Personal Health Record:

• Regence – Register or log in to Regence. Under "Health Management" click "Personal Health Record".
• Group Health – Register or log in to MyGroupHealth
   

Have had/will have age-appropriate preventive screenings and immunizations this year
Regular exams, screenings, and vaccinations can help find problems before they start. They can also help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. By getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances for living a longer, healthier life.




Participate in an organized physical activity event
In order to receive points, the event must occur during the Live Well Challenge. Here are some to consider:

• Bicycle rides (various event dates)  
• Bicycle Alliance of Washington
• Cascade Bicycle Club
• Hiking (various event dates)
• Issaquah Alps Trails Club
• Mountaineers
• Running events (various dates)
• Street Scrambles (various event dates)
• Duathlons/Triathlons (various dates)
• Volkmarches (various event dates)
• Any other organized physical activity event
  
  

Participate in the King County Farm to Work Program or a CSA
Getting fresh produce delivered to your home or your worksite is an easy way to increase your fruit and vegetable consumption.


Participate in a walk during King County Walks Week (April, 2012)
Join a hosted walk from the Chinook building or walk on your own with coworkers. for more info Visit the webpage or call 206-263-9298.

Participate in a King County Weight Watchers at Work ^® meeting or a Weight Watchers^® meeting
King County Weight Watchers at Work^® is a weight management program that encourages healthy eating, increased physical activity, and healthy weight management behaviors. To make participation easier for King County employees, one-hour weekly meetings are held at King County worksites.

Read King County’s Making Life Easier Program newsletter
Each month King County’s Making Life Easier newsletter focuses on timely topics that can help you Stress Less. You’ll find a variety of tools and resources to help you manage your stress.

Submit a healthy recipe to the Recipe Box
The Recipe Box is a place where you can share healthy recipes with your co-workers. Simply enter the ingredients and the number of servings the recipe makes into an online recipe analyzer and the analyzer will provide a nutrition breakdown and a letter grade. If your recipe receives a grade of A or B submit the recipe to the Health Matters team and we will post them!



Submit your Health Hero success story
Have you made a significant change that has caused you to become healthier? If so, we want to share your personal success with others. You could become an inspiration to other King County employees! Please submit your success story or testimonial to: FocusOnEmployees@kingcounty.gov



Take a gardening class
In addition to being great physical activity gardening gives you an opportunity to grow your own healthy food. Plus, being outside in fresh air and sunlight can help reduce stress.



Take a healthy cooking class

Get inspired with useful tips, techniques and recipes that will help you create healthier meals.



Take a health education class

Several local area hospitals offer a variety of free and low cost classes to help you Eat Smart, Move More, Stress Less and Quit Tobacco.



Take a new physical activity class
Free and low cost classes are available at the Chinook Building Activity Center. Or try a new class at your gym or through a local parks department.



Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever it is an option

Taking the stairs instead of the elevator is an easy way to sneak some additional physical activity into your day. In one minute, a 150 pound person burns 7 calories walking up stairs versus 1 calorie riding an elevator.



Use generic medications whenever practical or use Express Scripts to get maintenance medications delivered to your home
Generics are as safe and effective as brand-name drugs but cost less. By choosing a generic medication and by using Express Scripts, you save yourself and the county money.



Use a Choose Well tool from the Health Matters Web site
Navigating the medical system can be confusing. These free online tools can help you find out where to get the best quality health care in the region and how to save money on medical procedures.



Use an Eat Smart tool from the Health Matters Web site
These free tools can help you make healthier food choices. Take a calorie quiz or learn how to read a food label.



Use a Move More tool from the Health Matters Web site
These free tools can help you be more physically active. Watch a desk yoga video or find out how many calories you burn when you exercise.



Use a Stress Less tool from the Health Matters Web site
These free tools can help you manage your stress. Test your stress smarts or find if stress is putting your health at risk.



Visit a farmers’ market
Purchasing locally grown fruits and vegetables from a local farmers' market is a fun way to eat smarter. Find a farmers' market close to your home or worksite.



Walk with a co-worker during lunch or break time
Use one of the existing walking maps or blaze your own trail.