Being the Pied Piper...

I feel like the Pied Piper of wellness at the office.  Maybe my enthusiasm is contagious, but I truly believe that moving more and eating well (and clean) are huge.

I am also the pseudo HR assistant here at the office.  I see the insurance expense and exposure.  If we all did something just a little better today than yesterday, how much better would we feel?  Down the road, how many health meds (bp, cholesterol, diabetes, etc) would we be able to stop taking?

When I have had spots of time with nothing to do (truly does not happen often) I contacted the insurance administrator to ask what could the Company do to promote wellness?  What wellness programs are available, low to no cost, and easy.  Let's face it, there are not more than 24 hours in a day!!

The first thing I promoted and pitched to the company was Weight Watchers.  Would Elite be willing to comp out a small portion of the bill?  While the boss contemplated that, I called weight watchers to see what it would take to have on site meetings.  I needed to get 15 people to commit to the program and weekly meetings.  Have I mentioned in the past that I work in an office with 3 girls and 50+ guys??  It took me 2 months, lots of begging/cajoling, and offering the deal to some friends outside of the office but we finally got there.  On a weekly basis I have 4 girls and 11 guys attending meetings.  To help them along, I have posted Points Plus Values (ppv) on the vending machine in the kitchen, by the candy jar (chocolate candy) on my desk.  It is odd to hear the guys talking up the ppv on different foods, to hear them say "that is not worth the points"....didn't we think only women felt that way?!  Everyone is having success, the guys are moving faster than the girls but they always lose faster.  Grrrr!!

This pied piper then set up a wellness screening at the office.  Everyone was offered the opportunity to do a short fasting blood screening.  There was a brief questionnaire that needed to be completed.  I had about 40% participation.  It is a start.  Again, to hear them talking about their cholesterol and what it takes to get it lower makes me smile.  The best part is it was free to all employees and their family.

In the spring I will be putting together a wellness fair where different vendors/stores from the area will stop by with a service/sample/etc to make the employees aware they are here in the area, participating in our PPO.

These are all great strides......and speaking of strides I have purchased pedometers for anyone in the office who wants it.  Truly no cost to them.  I am also rolling out a walking program.  There is a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award that I am asking the guys to join me in.  Get steps/activity anyway they want, just record it.  If they can't figure it out they can give me the information and one time per week I will update the forms.  I have offered them a discount on Jazzercise classes (my favorite form of exercise) but not many have taken me up on the offer........what?  Are they afraid of a little spandex??!!

All of these things will make us a healthier, happier work force.  I have had a few guys come up to me to tell me that  their doctors are impressed with the strides they have made to date.  Again, a big smile on my face to think I might have had a little something to do with it.

I am their cheerleader and support.  If they have questions/concerns they know if I don't have the answer I will find it.  I see people all around me (at work/ facebook buddies) that are doing it and doing it consistently.

Maybe that is the key?  Consistently moving, eating better and not stressing about it.....whoodathunk?