Wellness Trail Opens

Wellness Trail Opens

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Take a stroll down the path to wellness at Kirby.

Kirby Medical Center’s Wellness Trail is a one-mile long, 10-foot wide paved path open to everyone in the community. The trail expands on Kirby’s wellness programs and encourages healthy lifestyles by offering opportunities to walk, run or bike. Four “Reflection Points” are located along the trail with benches for resting or relaxing. A bridge at the corner of the Forest Preserve Park tree line connects the trail to the Healing Garden and Apple a Day Café.
The first phase of the Wellness Trail opened to the public in September 2015, with the long-term goal of creating a network of trails throughout Kirby Medical Center’s campus. The trail is an embodiment of the collaborative effort between Kirby and the community and serves Kirby’s mission to provide compassionate, high-quality care close to home.
Built upon the philanthropic leadership of the Kirby family, the Wellness Trail is funded by private, tax-deductible gifts. Contributions of all sizes support the maintenance of the trail and construction of new trails. Sponsors have the option to donate in memory or in honor of a loved one with an engraved bench, plaque or brick. Know that your generosity ensures that future generations of Piatt County residents will have the opportunity to utilize the Wellness Trail. Every gift makes a difference!

To find out more about the Wellness Trail, visit our website, call The Kirby Foundation at (217) 762-1509 or email Director of Development Sarah Ross at sross@kirbyhealth.org.

CrossFit Coming Soon

CrossFit Coming Soon

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CEO Steve Tenhouse, second from left, enjoying his fit lifestyle

The push for wellness continues at Kirby Medical Center. Fresh off the opening of its one-mile long Wellness Trail, Kirby has announced plans to open a CrossFit gym (known as a “box” within the CrossFit community).
CrossFit workouts incorporate elements from high-intensity interval training, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, gymnastics and other exercises, all supporting the basic, fundamental movements that people need to do activities of daily living.
The CrossFit movement has inspired Kirby CEO Steve Tenhouse, who describes his fitness journey by saying, “I was one of those millions of people in the U.S. that had fallen prey to a sedentary lifestyle. Sometime in late May 2013, our Therapy Director Karin Sykes talked to me about CrossFit, and she put me in contact with the CrossFit manager at CrossFit Enhance in Decatur.
“The instructor’s primary focus wasn’t what I couldn’t do; it was on what I could do, by finding a good substitution for the regular movements, and then doing the substituted movement correctly. The first two or three months were really tough. What kept me coming back was the support of my CrossFit classmates, and it’s something that is organic within any good CrossFit gym.
“Fast forward two years to present day. The proof is tangible. First, my clothes fit better around the waist, I’ve built muscle tone, and my endurance, strength and agility have all made great strides. ‘Activity’, not ‘exercise’, is now a regular part of my day.”
Kirby has received approval from CrossFit, Inc. and plans to construct a 3,200-square-foot building that will house CrossFit. It will be located in a separate building next to the current ambulance garage.
CrossFit services will be open to the public as an extension of health and wellness services developed by Kirby Medical Center. CrossFit, Inc. has pledged $21,000 to outfit the gym with equipment traditionally used in CrossFit workouts, including weights, bars, rowers, pull-up rigs, medicine balls, dumbbells and kettle balls.

Information on classes and pricing is still being determined. Additional details on CrossFit, Inc. are available at www.crossfit.com, or by calling Kirby Medical Center at (217) 762-2115.

Women's Heart Health Expo

2013-2015 Kirby's Kitchen Series

For more information about the Nutrition & Wellness Program in DeWitt, Macon and Piatt Counties,

please contact Caitlin Huth, Extension Educator, at

chuth2@illinois.edu or by calling 217.762.2191

or visit our website at go.illinois.edu/dmp.

American Heart Month

American Heart Month

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February is American Heart Month - a time to reflect on the sobering fact that heart disease remains the number one killer of both women and men in the United States The good news is you have the power to protect and improve your heart health.
Certain risk factors - like getting older or having a family history of heart disease - can’t be changed. But you do have control over some important risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, excess weight and physical inactivity. Many people have more than one risk factor. To safeguard your heart, it’s best to lower or eliminate as many risk factors as you can because they tend to “gang up” and worsen each other’s effects.
To tackle your heart risk factors, it helps to know your numbers. Ask your physician to measure your cholesterol and blood pressure. The higher your cholesterol, the greater your risk for heart disease or heart attack. High cholesterol itself doesn’t cause symptoms, so you can’t know if your cholesterol is too high unless you have it tested.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is another major risk factor for heart disease, as well as for stroke. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because, like high cholesterol, it usually has no symptoms. Blood pressure is always reported as two numbers, and any numbers above 120/80 mmHg raise your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Your weight is another important number to know. To find out if you need to lose weight to reduce your risk of heart disease, calculate your body mass index (BMI, a ratio of weight to height). A BMI between 25 and 29.9 means that you’re overweight, while a BMI of 30 or higher signifies obesity.
If you find you’re at a high risk of developing heart disease, improved diet and exercise can make a significant impact for the better. A heart-healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as lean meats, poultry, fish and beans. Make physical activity a pleasure rather than a chore by choosing activities you enjoy. Take a brisk walk, play ball, lift light weights, dance or garden. Even taking the stairs instead of an elevator can make a difference.

Cardiac Rehabilitation at Kirby

Kirby offers a two-part outpatient rehabilitation program, Phase II and Phase III Cardiac Rehab, for those living with heart disease. The program offers a combination of physical exercise, education and counseling tailored specifically to each patient’s needs.
Phase II Cardiac Rehab is an individualized outpatient exercise program for those who have had a cardiac event. Participants wear a heart monitor while they exercise three times a week. The program lasts from 6-12 weeks and includes education on heart disease, risk factor modification, dietary consultation and lifestyle change.
Phase III Cardiac Rehab is a maintenance program for those who have completed Phase II Cardiac Rehab or who have appropriate risk factor modification needs. Participants monitor their progress under the supervision of the rehabilitation staff.

If you think you would benefit from Kirby’s Cardiac Rehab program or would like more information, please call (217) 762-1830.

Triple Crown

Triple Crown

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Allerton Race runners

Whether you’re an avid runner, enjoy a long walk or are a complete fitness novice, the Triple Crown in Monticello will give you a lasting goal for the new year. Running and walking lower stress levels, increase bone and muscle density and strengthen your immune system. So get ready to earn your Triple Crown prize!

What is it?

The Triple Crown is an honor bestowed on those motivated individuals who complete a series of three races held in Monticello each year. The Kirby Derby is one leg of the Triple Crown, and while the Allerton Races and The Allerton Park Trail Run make up the remaining two legs.
Those runners/walkers who complete all three races are awarded a special prize - a premium garment with the Triple Crown crest - sponsored by Kelly's Accounting Service. To earn your Monticello Triple Crown prize, sign up and participate for the Allerton Trails Half Marathon or 10K on April 9, 2016 (OR the Trail-Glo 5K on April 8), The Kirby Derby 5K or 10K in May, and the Allerton Park Trail Run (5.7-mile run or two-mile walk) on October 30, 2016.

What can you expect?

Dean Hixson organizes the first Triple Crown event, the Allerton Races, and says, “The Allerton Races are comprised of the Trail-Glo 5K run on Friday night and a 10K and Half Marathon on Saturday morning. The Trail-Glo 5K is a night run on roads and trails in Allerton. It features music, lighting effects, glow sticks everywhere, chili, hot chocolate and good times all around! The 10K and Half Marathon take runners and walkers all over Allerton’s 1,500 acres of beautiful upland and riverfront woods and through gardens and statuaries. We also feature music and fun surprises along the way.
“Last year we had about 700 people participate. It was a great group. The Trail-Glo was a beautiful thing to watch, and we got nothing but enthusiastic feedback from all the runners and walkers as they finished up their events in the Fu-Dog Garden on Saturday. Everyone enjoyed the music, food and awards afterward. As part of our awards ceremony, we present a giant check of funds raised to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year it was more than $14,000!”

The 50-yard road stretch from frontage trail to Centaur trailhead. Water ahead, ladies!

Ben Newell organizes the last event in the Triple Crown, the Allerton Park Trail Run, and says, “The Allerton Park Trail Run is Second Wind Running Club's signature race and consists of a 5.7-mile trail run or an untimed two-mile fun walk. October 30, 2016, will be the 29th running of the race.
“Participants should expect beautiful fall scenery in a very unique setting as the course takes you through the grounds of the former Robert Allerton Estate. Along the way you will see wonderful sculptures, so it is a great way to see the park for those that haven't been there before. Being so close to Halloween, we encourage runners and spectators to come in costume to compete for the costume awards. After the race there is a DJ and a potluck style brunch for all participants and their families, which is always a big hit.
“Last year we had a very good turnout of over 400 participants with about a quarter of those completing the Monticello Triple Crown.”

Why get involved?

Kelly Finet of Kelly’s Accounting Service says, “I sponsor the Triple Crown because being fit is such an important aspect of my life. The Triple Crown is a unique opportunity because the three races are spread throughout the year, which encourages fitness as a lifestyle instead of a short term 'fad'. We understand that not everyone is going to be able to run a 10K or half marathon, so we've structured the prize to require participation in any one of the races offered during the event weekend, which hopefully will allow and encourage more people to accomplish the Triple Crown.”

Visit www.allertonraces.com and www.kirbyderby.org for more information

Kirby Derby 2016

Join us for the Kirby Derby 2016:

Each spring, Kirby Medical Center sponsors the Kirby Derby – a 5K walk/run and 10K run for community members who want to get out and get active! Kirby Medical Center also hosts a training program and runner/walker forum to help runners prepare for the big day. The Kirby Derby is the second leg of the Triple Crown, a series of three races held in Monticello each year.
Last year’s event was the biggest yet with 1,242 participants, including hundreds of local children who joined in for a special Kids’ Race. Friends and family members cheered on the athletes for two good causes. This year’s Kirby Derby raised money for the Wellness Trail and for The Chris Streigel Fund.
Many volunteers and sponsors helped make the event possible, and we are grateful for their continued support. Every year the Kirby Derby grows and evolves, and we look forward to another successful event in the coming year.
For more Kirby Derby related information, visit www.kirbyderby.org.

• 5K run/walk and 10K run
• Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 8:00am
• Online registration is now open at www.kirbyderby.org
• Early bird registration pricing ends Friday, March 25!
• Training program beings Tuesday, March 22, at 5:30pm (and continues every Tuesday at 5:30pm until race day)
• FREE Kids’ Race
• Option to commit to training year-round by participating in three local events for the Triple Crown