Amy Treat

Determined to Succeed — My Climb IU Story

Amy Treat, Import/Export Specialist, Laboratory Animal Resource Center, IU Indianapolis

Why I Took the Challenge

I signed up for Climb IU so that I could have an “excuse” to get up from my desk and move more. My job is very sedentary, and it is very easy for me to get focused and work through my breaks. For the challenge, I set reminders on my iPhone to walk up the stairs. Also, there were other employees in my area that were talking about this challenge and it sounded like it would be fun to be part of a team in this way.

My Experience

I was not sure I would be able to keep up the quick pace of the team and decided that I would walk the stairs alone. The first day I decided I would just try to get through the first flight of stairs alive! I was determined, and each day it got easier and I went further. By the end of the challenge, I was walking up all 5 flights!

Who doesn’t want better wellness physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually?

Beyond the Physical

Many of the dimensions of wellness IU promotes for their employees were addressed in my life by this challenge. Not only was I in better physical condition by the end of the challenge, I also found myself encouraging others to get involved with my “If I can do it, so can you!” speech. I felt better about myself, more empowered! During my stair walking I would think about my various work projects/issues and walking stimulated my thought process with new solutions to many of them. I grew spiritually as I felt that God was walking with me and giving me increased strength and encouragement to continue. (The 8 Dimensions of Wellness are: Physical, Social, Emotional, Intellectual, Occupational, Environmental, Spiritual, Financial.)

My Favorite Part of the Challenge

I love having the reason to get up and move more. I feel like IU is not only offering this motivation to us, but also encouraging it when they send out these challenges. Who doesn’t want better wellness physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually? It makes me a better person to accept the challenge!

I think that having the challenge available to all the employees makes it much easier to explain to supervisors and co-workers why I am walking the stairs during my breaks, have their support, and maybe even join me!

Amy Treat

Determined to Succeed — My Climb IU Story

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