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Cardiac Care - February '08
Start! creating a culture of wellness
Vicki Riddick
Exercise is one of the most important factors in maintaining physical and emotional health. But, most people are working all day and find it difficult to fit a regular exercise regimen into their busy lives. The University of Toledo Medical Center is teaming up with the American Heart Association to initiate Start! – a movement designed to encourage employers and employees to create a culture of wellness.
“Our focus is to encourage employers to adopt walking-at-work programs,” says Vicki Riddick, director of community wellness and health promotion at UT Medical Center. “It’s a win-win initiative – a healthier employee leads to a more productive employee, which can yield a healthier workforce and, in turn, lower healthcare costs.”
Why Start!
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Americans and exercise is one of the key elements that can prevent it and other deadly diseases. Walking is reported to be the least expensive and most adhered to form of exercise. In fact, every hour of vigorous exercise, such as brisk walking, can add two hours on to your life. “The average person takes less than 5,000 steps a day, but people should aim for 10,000 steps a day to maintain weight loss,” explains Ms. Riddick. “Since people spend the majority of their time at work, what better place to encourage people to engage in healthier living and physical activity?”
The benefits of a movement like Start! are endless. “By offering employees the opportunity to take walking breaks throughout the day increases morale, motivates individual and group goals, makes happier and healthier employees and increases the overall quality of life for employees,” says Ms. Riddick.
How to Start!
The Start! program can be done through employers or on an individual basis. UT Medical Center will work with employers to get the program and motivation implemented throughout their business. Individuals can also take the initiative to get healthy and utilize all the resources UT Medical Center and the Start! program have to offer.
Start! getting involved
Since UT Medical Center is the cause sponsor in the partnership with the American Heart Association, there are several events people in the community can get involved in, including:
- January 9th – May 17th – Wellness Wednesdays, The University of Toledo. Students, employees and visitors are encouraged to participate in 15-minute walking breaks to train for the Start! Heart Walk and motivate regular exercise.
- April 16th – Start! Walking-at-Work Day. Show your support for the fight against heart disease by joining thousands of Americans in taking breaks throughout the day to get your body moving.
- May 17th – Start! Heart Walk at The University of Toledo, Glass Bowl Stadium. Join the community in this fundraiser to fight cardiovascular disease and aid research by walking a one or three mile route. Follow it by celebrating your successes with healthy food, health screenings and children’s activities.
To learn more about Start! or adopting a walking-at-work program, call 419-383-BFIT (2348).
