We’ve had fun celebrating National Physical Fitness & Sports Month throughout May. Although, our NSTers really don’t need a month designated to healthy activity and sports: we live it.

If you haven’t seen our many posts about Major League Baseball, check out Opening Day … It’s Like Christmas at Nuffer, Smith, Tucker to see how baseball is celebrated by CEO Kerry Tucker.

Baseball is also Michelle’s favorite sport. “I played softball from age 9 to age 26 and the tradition continues with my daughter Trista playing Little League now. She is great at first base and has about an .800 batting average!”

Even though workouts at Crossfit Invictus can get competitive, that doesn't stop Price from mastering kettle bell swings.

Some NSTers, like Price, follow a more regimented workout routine. Price has been doing crossfit since January 2010 and it has completely changed her outlook on fitness. “It’s not just about looking good, but also feeling good and helping your body do what it is designed to do,” says Price. “Crossfit Invictus has allowed me to push myself mentally and physically further than I ever thought and increase my confidence and mental toughness.”

For other NSTers, being active outside is a preference.

She's conquered Half Dome in Yosemite, where will Teresa's hiking take her next?

“My favorite exercise by far is hiking, and I’m still surprised by how many hidden hiking trails there are in San Diego County – if you know where to look,” says Teresa. “I love exploring new places and would love to visit as many national parks as possible. I go to Yosemite almost annually, and this year I will be exploring two new national parks: Zion and Bryce.”

Katie (left) and her friend enjoying an afternoon of kayaking on Mission Bay.

For Katie, it’s the location of her apartment that makes it easy for her to stay active. “I live about one block away from Mission Bay, meaning I’m just steps from a bike path, sand and cool bay breezes – the perfect elements for training for my first half marathon.” Good luck, Katie!

We’ve said it before, and Mary will say it again: being fit isn’t just a benefit for our bodies, but also for our minds. “I feel off balance when I don’t exercise, so that’s why I do it at least five times a week. Even when it means waking up at 5 a.m. to get a workout in before my daughters wake up.”

Becky agrees, but adds that a nighttime workout is a great way for her to unwind after work. “Besides actually making me feel better, working out on a regular basis helps me de-stress and relax.” Becky’s workout of choice includes TRX, Pilates and yoga with some spinning mixed in for fun.

And that seems to be the key for us all of us at NST – fun! We balance working hard and playing hard, which for most of us means being active in our personal lives.

As for me, here’s the spectator information to catch me (if you can) at the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll ½ Marathon on June 5!

What’s your favorite way to keep active?

If you weren’t aware, May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, as designated by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition. The purpose of National Physical Fitness & Sports Month is to encourage Americans to get active and play…and we couldn’t be more excited here at NST!

We truly believe in the benefits of living an active and healthy lifestyle and we work hard to support healthy habits in our workplace.

You may have seen our previous blog post about NST’s “Corporate Walking” program, but we’ve outdone ourselves this time.

In celebration of National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, today, May 18, is National Employee Health and Fitness Day and we proudly present to you “C.W. – The Video”. It’s an inside look into the NST C.W. program – rules, routes and why C.W.ing is important to our employees.

Enjoy…and don’t forget to get out there and be active! Also, check back throughout the month for more on how NSTers are celebrating National Physical Fitness & Sports Month.

C.W. – The Video: http://vimeo.com/nstpr/cdub

If you talk to just about any working professional, they’ll tell you the same thing: fitting exercise into a busy schedule can be challenging, especially if long work days are coupled with family or other commitments. What’s the NST solution? A little something we call the corporate walk, or “C.W.” Corporate walking can be defined as a fast-pace walk during your lunch hour. While corporate walkers change into walking attire, it’s preferred C.W. etiquette that walkers include some sort of corporate “flair” in their gear.  Think skirt suits and tennis shoes. OK, we don’t go quite that far, but a Blackberry or iPhone in hand will do. Typically, the NST course starts at our office in downtown, heads up 6^th Avenue, across the Laurel Street bridge, through Balboa Park, and down Park Avenue on the East side of the park. It’s a perfect loop that is about 3.5 miles and takes exactly one hour.

Getting out of the office can be a challenge, but when we do, it’s a good way to get the blood pumping, enjoy the outdoors and beautiful Balboa Park, and take an often much-needed breather. C.W. newbie Krystin Williamson suggested we get NST branded sweat bands. Others think we should get NST branded visors. Whatever the “flair,” next time you are out and about or in Balboa Park around lunch, be on the lookout for a bunch of quick walking PR pros charging their way around town.

Do you have a secret for fitting exercise into your work day? If so, we’d love to hear it.

Aaron Blomberg and the NST Sony Electronics Team – Price Arnett, Rebecca Howe, Katie Rowland and Krystin Williamson.

At NST, our jobs never stop. We’re accessible to our clients whenever they need us, and often that is after hours.  Web developer Aaron Blomberg recently showed he’s on call to make things happen when I sent him an e-mail during the holiday break when our office was closed asking for a website update to be made live. I didn’t know it at the time, but Aaron was traveling that day. While I specified the change wasn’t urgent, he still made the change later that evening. Well, technically, it was the next day since the update was made at 2:58 a.m. when he arrived home from out of town.

Our Sony Electronics team also did some work in the wee morning hours last week when they came to the office at 1:30 a.m. to monitor media coverage for the Consumer Electronics Show. The team tracked coverage from traditional media (newspapers, television, radio) and social media (blogs, Twitter, Facebook), and had recap reports to the client by 7 a.m. each day of the show – just about the time most people were starting their work days.

For 24-hour accessibility and always being ready to help NST and its clients day or night, the Tiki goes to Aaron, Price, Becky, Katie and Krystin.

At our weekly staff meeting on Monday mornings, the NST Tiki Token is given to a staff member who has done an extraordinary job the week prior or who may need a little extra support in the coming week. The Tiki Token winner from the week prior designates the new recipient of the token.

Friday Fodder

‘Twas almost the day before Christmas, and rather than weekly posts and tweets, the NST elves are sharing favorite holiday treats:

Price Arnett: LOVE Bill Murray in “Scrooged,” an impeccable mid-80s remake of the Dicken’s classic. Another favorite from this week, courtesy of Dustin Smith at Davis Elen Advertising: SNL’s Lost Ending of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Dana Carvey is epic as George Bailey.

Tanya Johnson: We love going to Viejas to see the Legend of the Ice Princess.  The nightly show is based loosely on American Indian mythology. It’s the story of Crystal, a young fairy princess whose magical powers bring winter to the holiday season. It’s a short holiday show that makes you feel good when you leave.  We also love to go ice skating out there.

Beatles fan Micki Stockalper surely has this Lennon classic on her list.

Mary Correia-Moreno and Michelle Livermore share a passion for “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  Says Mary: “Ultimate Christmas movie for me.  I just love the concept behind the film – how life would have been so different for others if you weren’t there.  Makes you really appreciate how each person in your life is there for a reason.”  Says Michelle: “I cannot even watch the movie and just see this part and start bawling. I am crying now. What a great thing it would be to see what the world would be without me in it. Or maybe it wouldn’t – who knows.  I love this whole last part. Everyone feeling sad should just watch this a bunch of times. I love that Clarence gets his wings, too.”

For Jessica Northrup, we’re thinking it’s a toss up between favorite singer Willie Nelson or a touch of family on the Big Island.

Janet Elk: When I was growing up in the Chicago area, every Christmas season the best short cartoons played on Garfield Goose and Friends were Hardrock, Coco and Joe,  Suzy Snowflake and Frosty the Snowman. It’s amazing you can still find these classics on YouTube.  I still love them! Takes me right back to being a kid.

Krystin Williamson: I grew up studying ballet and dance, so I’m a true Nutcracker fan at heart. I love the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” with Tchaikovsky’s classic score, the beautiful snowflakes dancing in formation and the exciting Arabian, Spanish and Chinese adaptations. This link happens to be from MGM’s motion picture “The Nutcracker,” but nothing beats seeing it come to life by a local ballet company. 

Katie Rowland: Since I grew up watching just as many black-and-white movies as color films with my mother, it’s no surprise that the nostalgia of the holidays has me longing to cuddle up with a blanket, hot cocoa and watch “Little Women.” Although there are many film adaptations of Louisa May Alcott’s novel, the 1949 version is my favorite. Nothing conveys the holiday spirit more than the generosity of the March girls, who spend their prized pennies buying gifts for their mother and share their Christmas feast with their less fortunate neighbors.

As director of social media, don’t you think this fits neatly for Teresa Siles?

Aaron Blomberg: The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas is/was my favorite Christmas movie as a kid.  I was so obsessed I watched it multiple times a day, every day, year-round for many years.  It follows the misadventures of Ted E. Bear as he searches for the meaning of Christmas.  Not entirely sure of why I was so obsessed with this movie, but I’m guessing a teddy bear named Ted E. Bear had a big part in it.

Natalie Haack is dreaming of a White Christmas.

Greg Kershaw: It’s not often you get to rock out at church, but this song always puts me in the Christmas spirit (and makes my stepmom nauseous).  Transiberian Orchestra’s Carol of the Bells, performed by Lincoln Brewster (at my church).

Rebecca Howe: My favorite Christmas song is My Grown Up Christmas List by Kelly Clarkson.  This song has an inspiring message and reminds you that Christmas isn’t always about the gifts wrapped under the tree.  Plus, Kelly Clarkson is among my top two favorite American Idols (the other is Carrie Underwood).

Bryan Spevak is the office music aficianodo, and we’re thinking Another Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas is apropos.

Kerry Tucker didn’t share, so we’re giving him a leg up.

We’re hoping the vacationing Bill Trumpfheller remembers not to put WD-40 on his sled.

Dave Nuffer loves mariachi.

If three is a trend, then we’re betting trends expert Sharon McNerney says more than 6 million views is some good holiday cheer.

Yours Truly: In some ways, we still believe.