Help me before I fall off the wagon

Did you know that May 19 is National Employee Health & Fitness Day?  It’s the third Wednesday in May each year.

The day was created by the National Association for Health & Fitness, and according to NEHF, it is a “national health observance created to promote the benefits of physical activity for individuals through their work site health promotion activities. Founded in 1989 National Employee Health and Fitness Day has enlisted tens of thousands of participants from employers around the world.”

Visit  www.physicalfitness.org for more information.

So in honor of the day, I decided to attend a wellness expo offered by a friend’s employer.

Any employer can host an expo, which allows vendors to set up at your place of business and advertise health and fitness-related services.  But what I found special about the expo was the employer’s commitment to its employees.

Since I’m not an employee of that company, I couldn’t take advantage, but vendors were offering discounts, screenings and other specials to company employees.  The company even offered on site fitness classes at a discount.  The classes are offered at a fraction of the cost of a gym, and it's at work so you don't have an excuse not to go.

The benefits didn’t stop there; my friend’s employer even offers a reimbursement plan for employees who participate in healthy activities (i.e. memberships to a gym, discounts on weight loss plans, etc…).

So not only does the employer provide a solution if you’re already in need of help, but the company also offers options that promote preventative health care -- helping you before you fall off the wagon!

To say the least, I was impressed and proud to see so many employees taking interest in this event.  I believe most people want to be the best they can be but often don’t know how to begin the journey.

With employers offering financial incentives, you can’t help but open your mind to change.  After all, most Americans work more than 40 hours per week, so a little balance is in order. Check with your insurance company or human resources department to see what healthy rewards are available to you and check out "Five Tips for Staying Healthy and Fit."