In this issue….

Instant Access to Screening Data

WELCOA Benchmark #3:  Collecting Data to Drive Health Efforts

Workplace Wellness Programs Study

This Month\’s Super Lunch Suggestion

Four Week Phone Coaching Program

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 Instant Access to Screening Data

WELL Connect provides a corporation the ability to instantly access important data about its wellness program.  It is technology developed that enables those managing wellness programs to access real-time data by downloading screening data files from a secure site, or using an automated process via WELLConnect’s application programming interface to feed data directly into a corporation’s wellness program system. Accessing real-time data provided by its employees enables a corporation to respond, adjust and enhance its wellness program.

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  WELCOA Benchmark #3:  Collecting Data to Drive Health Efforts

The 3^rd benchmark addresses collecting data via corporate culture audits, health risk appraisals and knowledge and interest surveys. The following provides significant reasons and emphasizes the importance for needing to collect data to facilitate the implementation and ongoing success of any wellness program.

1. Provides a snapshot of the current overall well-being of the workforce.
2. Captures ongoing data tracking the overall health status of the workforce.
3. Assists in keeping senior level executives in the loop concerning employee health and well-being.
4. Helps to promote transparency.
5. Provides accountability.
6. Aids in keeping the workforce informed about overall health and well-being of the collective company.
7. Can be used as a recruitment tool for new employees.
8. Use to benchmark data against other companies.
9. Provides the ability to definitively measure change.
10. Demonstrate value to shareholders.

  Workplace Wellness Programs Study

The Rand Corporation conducted a study to investigate workplace wellness programs. They looked at the characteristics of such programs, how prevalent they are in the workplace, what impact such programs have on the health of employees and medical costs, what factors enabled success, and the role incentives played in such programs. Rand used four data collection points to capture and analyze information. They found that approximately ½ of United States employers offer wellness initiatives to its employees. The investigation revealed that employees embracing worksite wellness programs seem to be limited with fewer than ½ employees (46%) in companies surveyed completing clinical screenings or health risk assessments (HRAs), which are used to identify which employees may need intervention. They found that the cessation of smoking seemed to be the only behavior that has a greater reward than actually participating in the program. They also found a key facilitator was handling workplace wellness programs with a continuous quality improvement perspective, soliciting employee feedback to assist with improving the program.

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This Month\’s Super Lunch Suggestion

\”Try this trick to get ultrathin fresh mozzarella slices: Pat mozzarella ball dry, and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes. You\’ll be able to cut paper-thin slices, which allow for more creamy, cheesy coverage.\”

Three-Cheese White Pizza with Fresh Arugula

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces refrigerated fresh pizza dough
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2/3 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons canola mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1.5 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, finely shredded (about 1/3 cup)
• 3 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, very thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1-1/2 cups baby arugula

​Directions:

1. Remove dough from refrigerator. Let stand at room temperature, covered, for 20 minutes.
2. Place a pizza stone or heavy baking sheet in oven. Preheat oven to 500° (keep pizza stone or baking sheet in oven as it preheats).
3. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes or until garlic is lightly browned. Remove garlic with a slotted spoon. Finely chop garlic. Reserve oil.
4. Place chopped garlic, ricotta, mayonnaise, thyme, pepper, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese in a medium bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium-high speed until almost smooth (about 2 minutes).
5. Roll dough into a 14-inch circle on a lightly floured surface; pierce entire surface of dough liberally with a fork. Carefully remove pizza stone from oven. Arrange dough on pizza stone. Bake at 500° for 5 minutes. Spread ricotta mixture over crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Arrange mozzarella over ricotta mixture. Bake at 500° for 10 minutes or until crust and cheese are browned.
6. Combine reserved oil, juice, and vinegar in a medium bowl. Add arugula; toss to coat. Top pizza with arugula mixture. Cut pizza into 4 large pieces.

Four Week Telephonic Health 

Coaching Program

Week 1: 45 Minutes

* Review Biometrics and complete lifestyle questionnaire

* Discuss current exercise habits, food choices, drink choices, cravings

* Discuss barriers to improving eating and exercise habits including existing beliefs and habits

* Discuss main health concerns (i.e. hypertension, obesity, etc)

* Develop plan for food consumption, replacements and substitutions, increased fruit/veggie intake, etc

* Develop plan for exercise based on goal of weight loss, stress reduction, injury prevention, etc.

Week 2: 20 Minutes

* Review plan developed in week 1 and discuss progress

* Discuss barriers to making progress (if needed)

* Enforce small steps solutions

Week 3: 20 Minutes

* Review plan developed in week 1 and discuss progress

* Discuss barriers to making progress (if needed)

* Enforce small steps solutions

Week 4: 45 Minutes

* Discuss current exercise habits, food choices, drink choices, cravings

* Discuss barriers to improving eating and exercise habits

* Review main health concerns (i.e. hypertension, obesity, etc)

* Review plan for food consumption, replacements and substitutions, increased fruit/veggie intake, etc

* Review plan for exercise based on goal of weight loss, stress reduction, injury prevention, etc.

Employee Report – includes food choices, exercise recommendations, nutrition recommendations, alternatives to harmful habitual behavior

Employer Report– includes employee aggregate progress report, employee ratings based on standardized scale

Cost: $250/participant

Contact Kim Farmer, kfarmer@milehighfitness.com to set up your coaching program today.