Wellness professionals like me cringe when reading headlines about the weakness of programs designed to address the challenges of unhealthy lifestyles. Employers and wellness coordinators have the power to change the course. Take the condition of obesity. Actually, I should say disease: Last June the American Medical Association officially recognized obesity as a disease. Obesity is out of control. A recent CNN report asked… [Read More]
Wellness— It’s Infectious!
Despite knowing all the benefits associated with being active, and having a real desire, getting to the gym has been a real struggle for me this year. That is, until just a few months ago. Now, I’m at the gym most mornings by 6:00 a.m.! So, what changed? One thing…my social circle. I have several… [Read More]
More Than Dollars – Just Good Sense
Calculating the impact of employee wellness programs is a challenge due to the sheer number of variables that come into play. The list seems almost infinite. For example, did winter weather take its toll on employee health and, thus, drive up claims? And, while we work to develop programs that are targeted, supported by senior management and… [Read More]
Workplace Wellness: Ready, Set, Game!
Whether on the playground or in the workplace, playful competition can be an effective driver of performance. Our unconscious fear of failure jumpstarts and continuously energizes our will to win. It’s a fact, no one wants to be on the losing kickball team or be the one coming in last in a competition against their… [Read More]
How Many Steps? I’ll Never Be Able to Do That!
Most workplace exercise programs ask employees to “walk 10,000 steps” or engage in at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 3 times per week. Uh-huh. Tell that to someone whose walking consists of parking lot to elevator to desk. Oh, and then to coffee pot. Exercise should not be intimidating. That’s what often… [Read More]
Could Losing Cash and Face Spur Wellness Participants?
Having trouble accomplishing a goal? Can’t quite stick to your workout regimen? Well, there’s something relatively new on the scene that may help you activate yourself. You may have already heard about it: It’s called an online commitment contract and you can draw one up on a website aptly called StickK. It’s basically free to… [Read More]
Are Employees Who “Feel Fine” Actually Healthy?
My buddy, Jim, hasn’t been to the doctor in years. He doesn’t go to health screenings offered in his workplace either. “Why should I?” he says, “I’m healthy. I feel fine.” Everyone has a buddy or two or even three like Jim. You may even be a Jim. You feel fine and believe you are… [Read More]
Weight Control: Step One in Controlling Healthcare Costs
Last week, I attended a fascinating CIGNA presentation highlighting the challenges our country and, more specifically, individual employers face with the raging epidemic of obesity. There is no greater risk to the public health and no greater contributor to the cost of healthcare than the overweight population and the resulting web of illnesses triggered by… [Read More]
Trouble Getting off the Couch? Try the Couch-to-5K Challenge
Know someone who joined a gym as a New Year’s resolution? Or bought a treadmill because “This is the year I lose. . .” or “run,” or whatever? Gyms are crowded for the first few weeks of the year. But you can bet the spin class that was full on Jan. 5 will have space… [Read More]
Frenkel Employees Act to Bring Their Ages Down!
Frenkel recently kicked off our 2012 Smarter Choices Wellness Program with two successful health and wellness fairs that launched our new health risk assessment (HRA) tool, AgeGage. AgeGage includes virtual coaches, educational videos, and health calculators but goes beyond the usual. In addition, it takes the HRA results that discuss risk and puts a tangible number to them. If I’m 40, rarely… [Read More]
