ON TRACK TO WELLNESS
Kevin Woodward, reporter
Herald-Whig "Workplace"
Sunday, Dec. 10, 2000

Breaking a sweat at work doesn't always have to come from stress.

Many area employers hope it comes from exercise, even during the holidays.

Throughout the year, companies encourage employees to exercise and eat right, but as the calorie-laden holidays engulf everyone, it behooves workers to pay even more attention to their well-being and fitness.

At Knapheide Manufacturing, employees can get a 50 percent reduction in membership fees to the YMCA. State Street Bank offers a 50 percent reimbursement to fitness centers and maintains a fitness center at the main bank. Blessing hospital runs an instructional campaign and runs a fitness center for its employees.

State Street bank recently finished the goal-setting part of its wellness program. Employees sign up Feb.1 with the goal of completing at least 150 workouts
between then and Nov. 30. Employees are asked to complete at least 50 percent of those workouts at the gym or health club. The other half can come from vigorous walking. Walking through the mall doesn't count.

Participants are expected to abide by the honor system when counting their workouts. Participants turn in their workout log books each quarter.

Sixteen employees participated in the program this year.

Bobbe White, who works in the bank's business development office and coordinates the program, said setting a goal helps participants stay motivated.

White said experience showed that most people, when used to working out routinely, will keep up the exercise through December and January.

"Our goal is to push the fitness aspect," White said.

State Street Bank uses three levels of goals in its program-level one is based on 150 workouts; level two, 175 workouts; and level three, 200 workouts.

White said having the encouragement from upper management is crucial to the program's success.

Employers find that healthier employees can mean a better and more efficient workforce, said Debbie Surrock, manager of Curves for Women, a fitness center.

"People have fewer sick days. They're in better condition," Surrock said of people who workout. "A lot of times people will change their eating habits."

Exercise involving weights also helps, she said, because lean muscle helps burn stored fat.
At Blessing Hospital, where a corporate goal is to improve the health of its consumers, Cheryl Hintz coordinates the Enhance Your Road to Health and Fitness Center for its employees.

"We feel we have almost a responsibility to help them with certain lifestyle choices," she said.

The program covers nutrition, exercise, heart health, cancer prevention, safety, exercise, smoking cessation and stress reduction.

Hintz also sends out a monthly newsletter and annual calendar to Blessing's almost 1,800 employees.

Blessing also brings in speakers on various topics to brown bag lunches.
It's Well Street program has proven popular, too.

Playing off the Wall Street image, Well Street participants receive a card and when they attend programs they receive credit on that card.

Hintz said the hospital's fitness center is free to employees and the cafeteria serves a low-calorie meal.

"We try to make it fun," Hintz said.

"Our idea is to move people through a stage of change. We try to focus on getting information to people who are considering starting a program and encourage those in one to stay in it."