Training for 2021 One America 500 Festival Virtual Mini-Marathon or 5k is no easy feat. But with every step taken, you are taking strides toward overall health and wellness.

Congrats to Courtney Hardy! He is this month's Wellness Champion. Courtney, along with his spouse, has made great strides in creating a healthier lifestyle. They have made changes to their diet focused on preventing disease and improving longevity. Being physically active is also part of their routine and they enjoy cycling together. Keep up the great work, Courtney.

Indiana residents older than 16 can schedule their #COVID19 vaccine appointment.

Almost all of us, well at least 97% of us, snack during the day. It's important to make sure those snacks are healthy and power up your day rather than leaving you feeling drained. Check out this video on snacks that can power up your day or view it HERE.

Join your coworkers for a lunchtime yoga class to destress and get ready for the rest of your day. Virtual Yoga is available to all Citizens employees.

A Couch to 5K is a training program designed to help prepare beginners for their first race. Typical programs use various timed combinations of walking and running to help you build up to successfully finish a 3.1-mile run by the end. There are many iterations of this popular program that last anywhere between four to nine weeks. DID YOU KNOW? Citizens Energy Group employees are eligible for a $30 reimbursement if they participate in a running/walking race, such as a community 5K, marathon, or mini marathon. REIMBURSEMENT GUIDELINES: Employee must provide documentation of race completion to the wellness coordinator within two weeks of race completion. Employee must provide documentation of amount paid to enter the race within two weeks of race completion. Employee may receive a reimbursement for a maximum of three races per calendar year for a total of $90. Contact Melissa Hehmann for more information.

See how you can earn a Wellness Incentive. It's easy, and takes just 30 minutes! Simply follow these instructions.

Who is eligible to receive vaccine? If you are an Indiana resident and answer yes to any of these questions, you are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine:

DID YOU KNOW that employees and spouses participating in CEG's medical plan can earn a Wellness Incentive? You can earn a premium discount and your spouse can earn a $250 deposit to your Health Savings Account (HSA) by meeting the Wellness Criteria (BMI <30 and Tobacco-Free) and/or the Reasonable Alternatives.

January Wellness Champion Congratulations to Jason Moore for being nominated this month’s Wellness Champion. Jason’s coworkers noticed his weight loss. When asked, Jason realized that his weight was unhealthy, and he decided he needed to change some of his lifestyle behaviors. Jason has lost 40 pounds with a lot of hard work and dedication. Way to go, Jason!! February Wellness Champion I’d like to nominate Laura O’Brien as this month’s Wellness Champion. Laura has been working hard to make changes to her diet and exercise habits that are sustainable and enjoyable. She is over ‘quick fixes’ and has been focused on Mindful Eating to gain a better relationship with food. None of this has been easy for Laura, but it isn’t for any of us. The hard part is what Laura is doing, keeping at it. Keep it up, Laura!

Of course, you knew we would say it...artichokes are a nutrient powerhouse! They are loaded with fiber, antioxidants and provide multiple vitamins such as K, B9 (folate) and C. They also contain a substance called cynarin, which helps boost kidney and liver functions. There are only 60 calories in a medium artichoke...which is why we all should be finding ways to include this nutrient all-star in our meals.

Yoga is for EVERY body. Yoga can make you stronger and more flexible. You do not have to be flexible to do yoga. It's a great way to stay limber and energetic. You'll also feel more focused and alert. And yoga can help you feel great and function better in your daily life. Here are a few options to get you started, both FREE and paid options.

Christa has joined the Verve Health Team as a Wellness Coordinator for Citizens Energy Group! Before joining the team, she was a Before and After School Program Director for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. She has held various positions at the YMCA including Wellness Coach. She was a Health Educator for the Vanderburgh County Health Department where she educated the community on anything from how to stop smoking to goal setting.

In this 4-minute virtual wellness class, you’ll learn what prediabetes is, if you’re at risk and what to do to reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Watch it .

Brussels sprouts are part of the cruciferous vegetable family along with broccoli and cauliflower. Vegetables in this family provide a wide variety of nutrients and contain few calories. People seeking a high nutrient diet should definitely include cruciferous vegetables in their diet.

Citizens is committed to improving the health of employees and their families. As part of this commitment, employees will continue to be eligible for a discounted Weight Watchers membership. However, due to IRS requirements, Citizens is required to report any company paid subsidy as imputed income.

We often hear that we should aim to get 10,000 steps per day. The reason? The goal of 10,000 steps adds up to about five miles each day for most people, which includes about 30 minutes of daily exercise—satisfying the CDC’s recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

Step Into the New Year Virtual Wellness Challenge is a 6-week virtual challenge that focuses on increasing your daily steps. The challenge starts on January 20 and runs through March 3, 2021.