Welcome to Quarter 4!

It's the 4th Quarter...can you believe it! ONLY 3 more months left in 2012!  That's crazy!  This is going to be a fun quarter!  We'll do our best to help motivate you to make this the best 3 months of the year!  What have you wanted to accomplish all year but haven't yet....?  Here's your chance!  If you need ANY help or suggestions for how to reach your goals, or if you just want a little extra motivation contact us!  We want to help you be the best you can be!
karis@utahcounty.gov.  Let us know how we can help!

Why Have a Worksite Wellness Program?

Worksite wellness programs have become an integrated part of many companies within the past few years. Why the sudden rise? Why are they even needed? Here are some of the top reasons. Wellness Programs...

1. Decrease worker and employer health care cost. In recent years health care costs have been on a staggering rise for both worker and employer. In the year 2002, annual premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance were $3,083 for single coverage and $8,003 for family coverage ($2,137 from worker contribution and $5,866 from employer contribution). Currently in 2012, the average annual premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance are $5,615 for single coverage and $15,745 for family coverage ($4,316 from worker contribution and $11,429 from employer contribution. That is an 82% increase in premiums for single coverage and 97% increase for family coverage. This growth in premiums has outpaced increases in both workers’ wages (1.7% since 2011 and 33% since 2002) and inflation (2.3% since 2011 and 28% since 2002). 

2. Increase Productivity. Healthier employees are more productive on the job and accomplish more during the workday. Presenteeism, which is the loss of productivity while on the job associated with health and work/life factors, is reduced in workplaces that have wellness programs. Additionally, healthier employees miss less work, thus reducing absenteeism.  

3. Better Morale. When a company begins to change as a result of the worksite wellness program, there is a new energy within the company. Employees who feel cared for by their company feel a better since of loyalty to the company and are more likely to enjoy the work atmosphere.

Wellness Week!

This week, September 17-21, is wellness week! Each day comes with a challenge, and if all the challenges are completed then you will be entered to win a prize! Just sign the flier you received via email and return it to Kari Matheson (2700 of the HJB) at the end of the week. Remember, your body does so much for you! Time to pay it back. Be healthier than you were yesterday.

Here are the daily challenges:

9/17-Fuel Your body! Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies today!

9/18– Sleep is important to get a fresh start to your day! Get 8 hours of sleep tonight.

9/19– It’s the middle of the week, but don’t be stressed! Take 15 minutes to relax today! Listen to your favorite music, take a walk,...Anything that helps you relax!

9/20– “I like to move it, move it!” Spend 30 minutes being active!

9/21– Exercise your Brain! Take the time to exercise your brain today. Memorize something, do a crossword, play Sudoku, something to give your brain a work-out!

September's Brown Bag!

         Last Tuesday, September 4, Kari Matheson presented the monthly brown bag entitled, “Tips and Tricks for Helping your Family Eat Healthier.” Her presentation centered around behavioral economics which focuses on the psychological variables involved in making decisions and how these variables can be translated to the way we eat. Brian Wansink, author of Mindless Eating, said, “Our taste resides in our head as well as in our mouth.” Even before the food touches our mouth we are hit with psychological cues including the name of the food, visual appeal, ingredient associations, packaging, lighting, and odors and scents. Kari gave an example of a bakery that was having a hard time selling their brownies. Someone decided to sprinkle some powdered sugar on them and sales went up almost immediately. Therefore, when feeding a family it is important to think about these psychological factors and how changing one or more of them can be the difference between a family member eating vs not eating a food item. Kids can be especially picky when it comes to what they will and won’t eat. Some ideas to help them eat their meals include the following: making stories out of their food, creating visual associations (broccoli=dinosaur trees), involving children in meal planning, giving children food choices, and cutting food into different shapes.        
         After the presentation we put this idea into practice. Everyone made a pancake and mixed in healthy ingredients including flaxseed, sunflower seeds, almonds, and pecans. After the pancake was cooked everyone tried to make it as visually pleasing as possible with fruit, whipped cream, jam, and syrup. Take a look at some of the creations!  

Thank you to all those who came to September’s brown bag, and don’t forget about the next brown bag on October 10! Earthquake lady will be giving a presentation on emergency preparedness!

 

End of the Quarter....

The end of the 3rd Quarter is coming up...September 30th!  Can you believe it!?!  Don't forget to contact your coach, track your goals, do your health education and physical activities or whatever else you need to do to finish the quarter up!  If you have any questions contact Kari at 851-7098!.

25 Super Snacks with 100 calories or less!

Click this link!
http://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-100-calorie-snacks?ecd=wnl_din_082712&ctr=wnl-din-082712_ld-stry

Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity!

Volunteers are needed to help build the South Franklin Community Center in Provo. Located at approximately 700 South 750 West, this center is a unique public/private partnership between Provo City, Horizon Management, Provo City Housing Authority, the United Way of Utah County, and Community Action Services and Food Bank. Shifts are available weekdays from 8:00 am-noon and 1:00-4:00 p.m. Click the Volunteer tab at http://www.habitatuc.org/ to sign up!

Another successful 5k!

Thanks to everyone who came out for this year's 5k!

We had a great time!....stay tuned for more pictures....

Forget the Shoes and Run Barefoot

Interesting article.....I haven't tried it yet but maybe I will....at the HL 5K THIS SATURDAY!!!!

Dr. Michael Wilkinson, an expert in the physiology of exercise, recently discovered that barefoot runners use less oxygen, have faster stride rates, and are not in contact with the ground as long as those who run with shoes on.

In his research, 18 runners from recreational to highly trained, were studied to discover their ways of running when wearing shoes or going barefoot. Each session consisted of six minutes of moderate running to measure each participant's oxygen uptake. This measure was done to determine the amount of energy used by each individual. Each individual also had video taken to study their running form when wearing shoes and when barefoot. Barefoot runners improved their running by six percent in terms of their energy expenditure and had the tendency to land on their midfoot (a good thing) while having increased stride rates.
Since barefoot runners tend to use less force when running to avoid discomfort, they are also less likely to become injured. The participants showed a 6 percent improvement in running economy when running barefoot and showed technique and oxygen uptake benefits as well.
While barefoot running may not be for everyone, it can stimulate less oxygen use and decrease force when landing. If an individual notices they land on their heel when running with shoes, going barefoot may be a great way to increase awareness of landing on the midfoot section and it also may increase running economy.
Article by Kelli Oligney, Associate Editor

How much do you know about ice cream?

Ice Cream is one of summer's favorite treats!  How much do you really know about it?  Take this fun quiz to find out!  http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/rm-quiz-ice-cream-facts?ecd=wnl_din_061112