Message From the Executive Director and CEO, Spring 2023

Dear 1199SEIU Members,

At the end of last year, I asked you to join me in taking a health journey in 2023. Why? Because good health is the key to unlocking life’s joys. Leading a healthier life gives us the opportunity to live a more fruitful, happier life that we can share with the people we love.

Although each person’s journey is different, they all start with taking that first step. I took my first step—along with more than 3,600 of you—by signing up for WeightWatchers®, our new wellness benefit.

Like many of you, I have good days and difficult days. I know it can seem intimidating to stretch yourselves when you already do so much. But taking the time to care for yourself is empowering, and it’s something that is within our control. When we ask ourselves “Why” is living a healthier life important—we can use the answer as motivation to start and stay on our health journey.

I believe life is precious. We only get one life to live. And that is the inspiration behind my “Why.” My “Why” is that I want to make the best of the one life I’ve been given. And for me that means living a long life to be here with my loved ones. Although longevity runs in my family, it is up to me to care for my health and give my body—my temple—the best chance of fulfilling my “Why.”

I would love to take this health journey with all of you, who give of yourselves every day to care for others. So, let’s do it! Together!

In this edition of For Your Benefit, we share healthy eating tips and information about programs that will support you on your journey. You will hear from three members who joined WeightWatchers and are ready to share their “Whys.” In addition, we explore the idea of “food as medicine” and that what we eat has the power to help us feel better and live longer, fuller lives.

Additionally, for those who are living with Type 2 diabetes, we are pleased to introduce you to Virta, an alternative nutritional program to help reverse the condition of Type 2 diabetes.

So, I hope that you take a moment to read through this edition of For Your Benefit. And, wherever you are in your health journey, join me and many others in taking these steps: answering our “Why,” setting achievable goals, signing up for WeightWatchers and our other Healthy Living programs, and celebrating all of our victories great and small!

In good health,

P.S., Our Healthy Living Resource Center is also a good place to find information on all the programs that are available to help get you started on your health journey—so please visit our Healthy Living Resource center regularly to discover all that it has to offer.

P.P.S., Also, we asked WeightWatchers to create our own 1199ers group in the WW app, and they did. If you joined WeightWatchers, I hope you will find me there and share your tips, recipes and achievements.