Be Active

The Lesson – Be Active!

A collector mentor reader who is new to the industry recently sent an email asking for tips on keeping healthy while spending 40 hours a week sitting at a desk. It seems that the transition from being on her feet all day in retail to sitting all day at a desk was causing a few concerns. So, in the July/August issue we responded with a few suggestions, one of which was to incorporate some type of regular physical activity into her routine.

In June, CNN ran a story titled, “Is your desk job bad for your health?” The article states, “The hazards of sitting all day long–whether you’re staring at a computer screen at work or watching TV on the couch at home–are better understood now than ever. In recent years, researchers have linked too much sitting to back pain, repetitive stress injuries, obesity, and even an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.”

On September 17, 2010 the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) will sponsor the 5th Annual Run@Work Day to “promote and provide the opportunity for individuals to incorporate at least 30-minutes of exercise, in accordance with the National Physical Activity Guidelines, into their daily routine either before work, during lunch, or immediately following work.”

Promotional material for the event further states that, “The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) estimates that 64% of US adults are either overweight (33%) or obese (31%), meaning they have an excess weight of 30 lbs or more. For over 20 years, the CDC has been tracking obesity trends, and they have reported that the rate of overweight adults in the US has increase by 18% in those 20 years. The causes of overweight and obesity can be complex. However simply put, overweight and obesity results from an energy imbalance. Eating more calories and not getting enough exercise or physical activity results in the energy imbalance that causes obesity. The rise of overweight and obesity and the resulting health conditions has a dramatic effect on health insurance costs around the US. It is estimated that overweight and obesity health related medical costs have reached an all time high of $75.8 billion per year (www.cdc.gov).

The Challenge

This week commit to exercising for at least 30 minutes in support of Run@Work Day.

Walking during break/lunch with coworkers or biking to work is a great starting point for people who don’t have an existing exercise routine established. If you enjoy your 30 minutes and want to make exercise an ongoing part of your life, be sure to check out the Mayo Clinic’s article “Fitness programs: 5 steps to getting started.”

However, if exercise is already a regular part of your weekly routine, you might consider inviting a friend or family member to join you on your next trip to the gym.

Attention Employers: Free Resources!

Looking for information to boost your wellness program? Check out WellnessProposal’s online information library of more than 10,000 FREE handouts, posters, guides, and other resource materials that you can use in your employee wellness program.

The Reflection

1.    What tips do you have for staying fit while spending 40 hours a week at a desk?
2.    What does your company do to promote wellness?
3.    What are the biggest challenges you face in exercising regularly?

Be active!

Gary Jensen
Editor | collector mentor

To download companion worksheets to use with The collector mentor Challenge, please visit www.collectormentor.com/thechallenge.