September 28, 2016 is the 15^th Annual National Women’s Health and Fitness Day.

There are many who mark the occasion by lacing up their tennis shoes, putting on their workout clothes and heading out to the fitness club.

Are you one of them?

Ok, so maybe you don’t have to be a gym junkie to mark the occasion!

Janice Hollingsworth is taking the day to recognize how far she’s come and what she’s learned on her almost year long journey towards better health.

The CHRISTUS Health Patient Account Services Rep has lost more than 75 pounds, and owes a lot of the toning and strength, she’s been able to achieve over the year, to the small gym at CHRISTUS Health System Headquarters.

“Women get pulled in a lot of different directions. We work and then a lot of us have to go home and start a second shift of taking care of the house.  I’ve learned that when I get home, it is all that much harder to get back out and do something for me,” Janice explained.  “I need convenience, I need a support group and CHRISTUS Health has afforded me that.”

Janice’s road to better health has been a challenge, but she’s been up for it…. quite literally.

Last month, CHRISTUS challenged Janice along with all 42,000 of its Associates to take steps, get moving and make their healthy habits a change for good.  The newly announced walking initiative allows CHRISTUS Associates to track steps by synching data from a variety of mobile apps and fitness devices and compete in a fun walking challenge throughout the year.

“The walking challenge is a great way for Associates to get active and get involved in a friendly competition,” explained Marty Margetts, CHRISTUS Health’s Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services and Chief Human Resources Officer. “We work hard to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and improve our patients’ quality of life. So, it’s only fitting that we take the time to do the same for ourselves, too.”

Janice and a group of other CHRISTUS Health System Associates have begun what they call a morning eye opener. They take a walking lap around CHRISTUS Health’s headquarters every morning at 10:30 a.m.

“The brief walk gets us all rejuvenated to return to our work tasks. We’re here to improve our patients’ quality of life and make sure we take care of them. Why not work on our own selves so we can serve others better?”