High blood pressure and cholesterol are two genetic traits that unfortunately run in my family. Being susceptible to both means I'm also at a greater risk of heart disease. To combat this, I do my best to make sure I exercise regularly and eat right. Mainly, I stay healthy by distance running (that's a photo of my girlfriend and me at a race this summer). I've been known to run close to 40 miles at a time just for the heck of it, and I even picked my new apartment because its proximity would allow me to run to work.
Since I put a priority on my heart health, it's nice to know that Frito-Lay does as well. Around here, it's not uncommon to see people walking the halls instead of using meeting rooms, coworkers utilizing the stairwells as walking paths during their breaks or groups of runners getting in their cardio on our outdoor trail. Because of this and more, Frito-Lay was recently named a Fit-Friendly Company and awarded "Gold-level" recognition by the American Heart Assocation (AHA).
Being a Fit-Friendly Company means Frito-Lay goes above and beyond when it comes to its employees' health. Below are some of the ways we achieved "Gold-level" recognition:
- Offering employees physical activity support by encouraging stretch breaks and giving access to a gym and other fitness resources such as a running trail, personal trainers, yoga instructors and other fitness classes.
- Providing healthy food options including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and meals designated as heart healthy by the AHA.
- Organizing and promoting employee health programs and having a wellness promotion staff member available to employees for consultation.
- Creating incentive programs such as "60 workouts in 6 months," which rewarded employees for making exercise a regular part of their week.
The hard work put in by the employees that run our Fitness Center also earned the company a 2011 Worksite Innovation award. The Fitness Center team developed and implemented innovative and effective programs both internally and externally, including a trip to a local high school to promote proper nutrition, physical activity and self-esteem to students. At the school, more than 400 students participated in a yoga class before they learned healthy eating tips and created dreamboards to help boost self-esteem and establish long and short-term goals. Internally, the Fitness Center offers services including on-site mammograms, flu shots and blood chemistry exams as well as other health and wellness programs that align with the AHA's Simple 7.
Does your company offer a health and wellness program? Do you do have tips or tricks you use to fit in exercise throughout the day?
- Joe
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