Our consultants live all around the country and that, combined with the pandemic, has made it impossible to get together in person for team meetings, game nights, lunchtime strolls, and happy hours. However, when it comes to exercise and fitness, we have been able to stay connected virtually using the Strava app.
The existence of our Continuus Strava group alone tells me that there is a connection that my colleagues have made between their physical well-being and the culture at Continuus. Many articles, studies, and reports connect physical health to professional performance, so I asked my fellow Strava group members about staying active and how they personally believe it helps strengthen our team and their professional performance.
Why do you think connecting with your coworkers regarding fitness/wellness in general and on an app like Strava is important?
Chris Patrick: It’s a great way to spread some positivity outside of the work environment!
Chrystal Kingstad: I think it’s helpful to have others to help motivate me in general and it’s nice having coworkers with similar interests in that regard.
Lauren Busalacchi: Spending 8 hours straight at a desk is clearly not a great idea for general fitness and well-being, and I think the nature of our work as BI engineers makes us a little more prone to do that even when we aren’t in the middle of a pandemic. I see this group as a really great way for us to cheer each other on in our attempts to get up and move!
What is your favorite part of using the Strava app/Continuus group?
CP: My favorite part is being able to see colleagues achieve goals and connect with them outside of work emails and video calls.
CK: Favorite part is when people give “kudos” for someones run even when they weren’t particularly great speeds. In general, I like how Strava tracks fairly accurately and the UI overall is super slick.
LB: It’s a fun way to socialize while we can’t see people in person.
What are the benefits of maintaining your physical wellness when it comes to your professional life, especially in the socially distanced and work-from-home world we're currently living in?
CP: Too many to count. I feel that without exercise, bad habits and negativity could easily take over. Taking a break from “doom scrolling” to get some fresh air and step away from the webcam helps keep me grounded as person. It’s also a great stress relief for when those days of meetings just never seem to end! Taking the time to be outside and appreciate the scenery, even if it’s a park loop I’ve done hundreds of times, seems to be a way to reset and connect back to the real world.
CK: I started running because I was getting stressed with working from home, multiple client workload, and just overall professional stress. Running helps me channel that stress into something productive and helps reduce it. It really helps with both my mental well-being and physical well-being.
LB: Right now, it’s a big part of how I get outside. I’m high risk and there’s not a lot I can do outside of my own home right now, and I definitely noticed my mental health is a lot better when I stay active, especially outdoors. Days that involve a workout also help me focus better, because I’m either planning and accomplishing my work so I don’t feel guilty when I log off to work ]out, or I’m too tired to be distracted because I already worked out!
What benefits can come from having any sort of wellness outlets within an organization?
CP: I believe that 95% of the work in a workout is getting out the door and the remaining 5% is what you accomplish once you’re out there. Anything we can do to help encourage each other to get out and be active is a huge win! Whether it’s an organized event, a positive comment, or “kudos,” those little bits of encouragement add up to help us all collectively improve our physical and mental health.
CK: Overarching, it actually helps lower risks of high health insurance costs for the business I believe, which is why a lot of businesses actually subsidize gym memberships or offer membership discounts.
LB: I just think it’s a great way to connect with coworkers, and groups like this one are one of many ways we can make ourselves more approachable when we do need help with a project!
Do you think you could beat Matt [Moeser] in a race?
CP: Without a doubt.
CK: Honestly, I’m not sure! I’m more of a jogger so if it’s a longer distance, maybe; but short-burst, probably not because I’m slow :)
LB: Maybe if you didn’t tell him we were racing?
What's your favorite way to stay active?
CP: Running! I’ve found that running is a great way to clear the mind, explore new areas/parks, and burn some calories. I used to be bigger into cycling, however.
CK: Running, barre, or hiking are my top activities.
LB: Skiing!!! It’s my main motivation for re-starting workouts, especially this time of year. When there’s no snow, hiking or long walks at a dog park.
Why do you use the Strava app and, more specifically, why did you join the Continuus Strava group?
CP: I use Strava to see my personal fitness progression and track stats – being a data nerd, after all. I’ve been on the platform since 2013 and have logged thousands of miles running and biking. It’s amazing to reflect and see progress that is often hard to realize on a daily basis. I also love Strava to see what my friends, family, and colleagues are up to. Everything from walking the dog around the block to ultra-marathoners and Olympic level activities are on my feed.
I actually created the Continuus Strava group, so I can speak to that! Being a remote employee (first California, and now New York), it’s great to foster some of the personal connections I miss by not being in Milwaukee. After getting the chance to run with a colleague while he was visiting my client, I realized this could be a hobby more people at Continuus share. That, combined with COVID-19 upending everyone’s daily routine, was the spark to build the virtual club to help bring us together. It’s great to pass along “kudos” (virtual thumbs-up), see pictures, and engage in the occasional friendly competitive banter.
CK: None of my friends like to run, and during our bi-weekly BIDS meetings a few of us kept talking about running, so Chris recommended creating the group. I joined because I like the accountability and motivation of having a group to keep me running.
LB: I only just started using it, but I hope seeing everyone else workout inspires to be more consistent with my own workouts!
Note: Continuus Technologies has no affiliation with the Strava app; it is just the app of choice that we use to stay connected and to track our own personal exercise.
