Forty-two percent of Americans are on track to be obese by 2030, according to the Wall Street Journal in May 2012.
In an ambitious effort to combat the rising rate of obesity, on May 30, New York Mayor Bloomberg announced plans to ban the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, movie theaters, and street carts. This has been met with quite a bit of controversy, but perhaps we need more policy implemented, such as the soda ban, and a strong shift of the cultural norm to protect us from ourselves.
While tobacco use is still a leader in preventable deaths each year, we have been able to decrease the national smoking rate from 50% to 20% over the last 50 years. With numbers this successful, perhaps we could apply a few of the same strategies used in tobacco cessation toward slowing the obesity epidemic.
Since 1965, interventions to reduce smoking have been numerous. Even though people recognize the dangers of smoking, the causal connection between smoking and premature death is not simple; there is a reasonable chance that many smokers will ”get away with it” by suffering only minor health problems. This probably reduces the motivation to try to stop smoking. This is true with obesity, as well. Although people know obesity can lead to Type II diabetes, cardiovascular heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, plus many more avoidable, costly conditions, they just risk it.
In addition to public education and awareness campaigns of tobacco-causing health conditions, including mortality, other interventions that have been effective include the financial impact tobacco use has on a person’s budget, as well as social disapproval. People do change their habits when their pocket book is affected. Also, the social disapproval is apparent since smoking has been limited in bars, restaurants, and other public venues. We also now know that the concern over the harm smoking can cause to others can influence behavior change.
All of these strategies may be worth using in the fight against obesity. So, before you discount Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to ban the purchase of large sugary drinks in New York, just be open-minded that something has to be done.
LiveWell Colorado is doing a great job in educating Coloradoans about what is a healthy weight and that simply because someone doesn’t look overweight or obese doesn’t necessarily mean that person is healthy. Importance should be placed less on our looks and more on our health, productivity, children, and communities.
Sometimes it takes pulling on the heartstrings of people to get them to realize that if they don’t take care of their own health, they will become a financial and emotional burden to those around them and to our country as a whole. However, more importantly, they won’t be around for their children, grandchildren, family, and friends!
We can do an unlimited number of things to help change behavior from a policy and environmental standpoint, such as implementing taxes on sugary and unhealthy foods and banning advertising and promotion of certain foods, but at some point people have to become aware and intrinsically motivated to live a better, healthier, more productive life, and take accountability for themselves and their lifestyle choices. People can change with the right resources, tools, strategies, support networks, and incentives; and companies, as well as the government, can help.
There is no magic bullet—lifestyle change takes time, but it is possible. Take a look at how Nelnet is making a difference.
The trend for tobacco use at Nelnet has declined significantly by 73% over the past six years.
Timeline:
2005: 22% tobacco use: Implemented first assessment and screening
2006: 20% tobacco use: Education and awareness campaign about the benefits of quitting tobacco use
2007: 19% tobacco use: Implemented online and telephonic tobacco cessation program
2008: 15% tobacco use: Added free Nicotine Replacement Therapy and RX aids for tobacco cessation participants
2009: 9% tobacco use: Implemented social networking solution to aid in behavior change and tobacco users pay 20% more on health care premiums
2010: 8% tobacco use: Tobacco-free campus, tobacco-free themed wellness challenges, , Great American Smoke Out
2011: 6% tobacco use: Implemented results based wellness program requiring participants to be tobacco-free or enrolled in a cessation program in order to be eligible for the 10–20% premium reduction based on biometric results. Added tobacco question on job application
Nelnet has made a big improvement with tobacco usage; however, there is still opportunity for improvement and to change lives. Quitting tobacco use is hard to do, but employees are tackling this challenge each and every day, and overcoming obstacles, building the resilience and strength to stay tobacco-free, and creating the social support needed to sustain the change.
I continue to believe that by helping people identify their underlying emotional drivers, it can help people take the first step in tackling their tobacco addiction, weight management issue, or even reversing a separate chronic health condition.
Cynthia Sims, a Senior Risk Analyst within the Operations Risk Management Department at Nelnet, quit smoking after 30 years of tobacco use. It starts with one step. Why wait; you have one life and you own it!
“I started smoking when I was 18 years old. I have tried to quit many times over the past 30 years. When Nelnet implemented the tobacco-free premium credit, at first I was frustrated, but then I realized this may be the final push to get me to finally quit for good. I took advantage of every tobacco cessation program available. I used the employee assistance program to get the emotional support and skills needed to avoid lapse and relapses, and I even used the Tobacco-Free challenge on Nelnetwellness.com. This was one of the hardest habits to break, but with such a supportive culture at work and at home, I am tobacco-free and have never felt better in my life physically, mentally, financially, and personally! Thank you, Nelnet, for caring about me and helping me care about myself.”
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Put the ME back into Time Management
I had a moment on Sunday. I was just about to start teaching a spinning class when a class participant/friend gave me some great news. She was going to give me tickets to the Colorado Rockies Opening Game. Instead of being happy about it, I felt very overwhelmed and overscheduled. Basically, I felt like I had too much work on my plate, too many demands from my family and friends, and no time in which to do it all— let alone do it all well. And, it seemed impossible for me to steal even an hour of “me time.”
Interestingly enough, during the same spinning class a different class member was texting and getting caught up on work e-mail while spinning. I thought this was so rude; however, perhaps she was just as overwhelmed as I was, and was just finding a way to get everything done.
As I started my week, Monday was filled with back to back meetings from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., a hectic commute to my parent-teacher conference at 5:30 p.m., dinner, bath and bed for the kiddo, and another round of work for a few hours. It was a good thing most of my meetings were on the phone, so I could multi-task. I have to admit that one of the in-person meetings took place in a room that had a large conference table, so I could check email on my phone without anybody noticing…um, right.
It was not surprising that the next day a co-worker sent me the latest Harvard Business Review Blog by Tony Schwartz asking me to take a moment to read the blog during my self-imposed 15-minute lunch break at my desk. Wow! This post resonated with me so much that I had to share it with you, as I know I am not alone in the work/life struggle. Here are some of the adapted highlights:
It's not just the number of hours we're working, but also the fact that we spend too many continuous hours juggling too many things at the same time.
What we've lost, above all, is stopping points, finish lines, and boundaries. Technology has blurred them beyond recognition. Wherever we go, our work follows us, on our digital devices, ever insistent and intrusive. It's like an itch we can't resist scratching, even though scratching invariably makes it worse.
Tell the truth: Do you answer e-mail during conference calls (and sometimes even during calls with one other person)? Do you bring your laptop to meetings and then pretend you're taking notes while you surf the net? Do you eat lunch at your desk? Do you make calls while you're driving, and even send the occasional text, even though you know you shouldn't?
2. Stop expecting instant responsiveness at every moment of the day. This puts people into reactive mode, fractures their attention, and makes it difficult for them to sustain attention on their priorities. Let them turn off their email at certain times. If it's urgent, you can call them—I bet you will reconsider the urgency of the matter.
3. Encourage renewal. Create an environment that supports people to rest and recover. Encourage your people to stop working and take a break. Encourage them to go outside, take a walk, stretch, or even meditate.
It's also up to individuals to set their own boundaries. There is a person with whom you spend more time than any other, a person who has more influence over you, and more ability to interfere with or support your growth than anyone else. This ever-present companion is your own self.
Consider these three behaviors for yourself:
1. Put the “me” back in ”time”. Eat something you like right away in the morning to fuel your body—something healthy not Fruit Loops® since that is what is in the cupboard for the kids. We all have 24 hours in the day; take 30 minutes of that time and move your body. Exercise is the best thing for stress relief, clear thinking, weight management, and overall health. If you don’t prioritize yourself, no one else will. You matter.
2. Do the most important thing first in the morning, preferably without interruption, for 60 to 90 minutes, with a clear start and stop time. Resist every impulse to be distracted, knowing that you have a designated stopping point.
3. Take real vacations regularly. “Real” means that when you're off work, you're truly disconnecting from work. “Regularly” means several times a year, if possible, even if that includes just taking a day or two off to make a long weekend. Research strongly suggests that you'll be far healthier and more productive overall if you use all of your vacation time. Even Nelnet CEO Mike Dunlap encourages all 2200 of his employees to do this. It matters!
Interestingly enough, during the same spinning class a different class member was texting and getting caught up on work e-mail while spinning. I thought this was so rude; however, perhaps she was just as overwhelmed as I was, and was just finding a way to get everything done.
As I started my week, Monday was filled with back to back meetings from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., a hectic commute to my parent-teacher conference at 5:30 p.m., dinner, bath and bed for the kiddo, and another round of work for a few hours. It was a good thing most of my meetings were on the phone, so I could multi-task. I have to admit that one of the in-person meetings took place in a room that had a large conference table, so I could check email on my phone without anybody noticing…um, right.
It was not surprising that the next day a co-worker sent me the latest Harvard Business Review Blog by Tony Schwartz asking me to take a moment to read the blog during my self-imposed 15-minute lunch break at my desk. Wow! This post resonated with me so much that I had to share it with you, as I know I am not alone in the work/life struggle. Here are some of the adapted highlights:
It's not just the number of hours we're working, but also the fact that we spend too many continuous hours juggling too many things at the same time.
What we've lost, above all, is stopping points, finish lines, and boundaries. Technology has blurred them beyond recognition. Wherever we go, our work follows us, on our digital devices, ever insistent and intrusive. It's like an itch we can't resist scratching, even though scratching invariably makes it worse.
Tell the truth: Do you answer e-mail during conference calls (and sometimes even during calls with one other person)? Do you bring your laptop to meetings and then pretend you're taking notes while you surf the net? Do you eat lunch at your desk? Do you make calls while you're driving, and even send the occasional text, even though you know you shouldn't?
The biggest cost—assuming you don't crash—is to your productivity. In part, that's a simple consequence of splitting your attention, so that you're partially engaged in multiple activities but rarely fully engaged in any one. In part, it's because when you switch away from a primary task to do something else, you're increasing the time it takes to finish that task by an average of 25 percent.
If you're a manager or an influencer, here are three policies worth promoting:
1. Maintain meeting discipline. Schedule meetings for 45 minutes, rather than an hour giving people 15 extra minutes to transition and prepare for the next meeting or project. Start all meetings at a precise time, end at a precise time, and insist that all digital devices be turned off throughout the meeting.
If you're a manager or an influencer, here are three policies worth promoting:
1. Maintain meeting discipline. Schedule meetings for 45 minutes, rather than an hour giving people 15 extra minutes to transition and prepare for the next meeting or project. Start all meetings at a precise time, end at a precise time, and insist that all digital devices be turned off throughout the meeting.
2. Stop expecting instant responsiveness at every moment of the day. This puts people into reactive mode, fractures their attention, and makes it difficult for them to sustain attention on their priorities. Let them turn off their email at certain times. If it's urgent, you can call them—I bet you will reconsider the urgency of the matter.
3. Encourage renewal. Create an environment that supports people to rest and recover. Encourage your people to stop working and take a break. Encourage them to go outside, take a walk, stretch, or even meditate.
It's also up to individuals to set their own boundaries. There is a person with whom you spend more time than any other, a person who has more influence over you, and more ability to interfere with or support your growth than anyone else. This ever-present companion is your own self.
Consider these three behaviors for yourself:
1. Put the “me” back in ”time”. Eat something you like right away in the morning to fuel your body—something healthy not Fruit Loops® since that is what is in the cupboard for the kids. We all have 24 hours in the day; take 30 minutes of that time and move your body. Exercise is the best thing for stress relief, clear thinking, weight management, and overall health. If you don’t prioritize yourself, no one else will. You matter.
2. Do the most important thing first in the morning, preferably without interruption, for 60 to 90 minutes, with a clear start and stop time. Resist every impulse to be distracted, knowing that you have a designated stopping point.
3. Take real vacations regularly. “Real” means that when you're off work, you're truly disconnecting from work. “Regularly” means several times a year, if possible, even if that includes just taking a day or two off to make a long weekend. Research strongly suggests that you'll be far healthier and more productive overall if you use all of your vacation time. Even Nelnet CEO Mike Dunlap encourages all 2200 of his employees to do this. It matters!
As you know, my passion is helping organizations create happy, healthy, and productive cultures. However, even if a company offers the right resources, tools, and strategies for employees, each individual has to decide he or she wants a good work/life balance. Yes, the everyday real life issues that are responsible for 75 percent of healthcare costs do exist. They include seemingly impossible time constraints leading to cheeseburger-scarfing, long commutes, and stressful situations that make people want to pull their hair out. But, you can start putting a stop to it, and take control of your life. Start today. I am, starting with a full week of Spring Break!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Personal Accountability
I was working late last night and received an e-mail from a friend about a job application question that he needed help with. After reading the question, I have to say I was really impressed with the organization he was potentially going to work for. The organization clearly wanted to see its applicants’ views on being personally accountable for one’s choices and actions.
Take a look at how I would have answered this question if it were my job application. More importantly, I challenge you to think about how you would answer the question and then ask yourself, “Am I accountable for my health and well-being?” Do you own your health, or do you fall victim to countless excuses, like I am too busy, I am too tired, I don’t have time, eating healthy is too expensive, I have kids? When are you going to commit to creating the life that you want—full of energy, optimism, and good health?
Job Application Question and My Answer
Make a thoughtful rational and emotional case (in less than one page) for why it is important (economically & psychologically) for Americans to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being.
When reflecting on our society, it makes me think of the typical tradition of abandoning New Year’s resolutions and how that has been going on for hundreds of years. At the turn of the century, the Irish poet Oscar Wilde noted that New Year’s resolutions are merely “checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.”
Now is the time that Americans step up and become more accountable. We are in the throes of a crisis of health with the growing obesity and Type II Diabetes epidemics, not to mention high every-day stress levels. The good news for Americans is that there is a tremendous amount of scientific information available on the importance of regular physical activity and healthy nutrition and how these two things can delay death and disease. However, there is a huge gap between what is known scientifically about eating healthy and exercising and what most citizens of U.S. and other Westernized countries actually do. For example, we now know that approximately 40% of all cancers are caused by the typical American diet, lack of physical activity, and obesity, AND that cancer is mostly a preventable disease. Despite this information only 20% of Americans eat fruits and vegetables per day. Also, most Americans fail to get enough physical activity to receive any health benefits. To extend life, improve the quality of life, and avoid the onset of chronic diseases, the gap between what is currently known and what Americans actually do needs to be reduced.
Forks need suitable options on the plate…
Local culture, money, taste, time, and availability of food all help us determine what to eat, and making smarter choices in this decision making process is difficult. Some people don’t change because they may not have had the opportunity to learn what a healthy diet consists of, how much exercise is enough, and how these two lifestyle choices are directly related to the causes of death. Sometimes even if people know they should live a healthy lifestyle, lack of motivation, time, social support, and presence of environmental pressures to eat unhealthy foods and to be sedentary often overwhelm their ability to change.
Change is hard and it takes time, but it can be done. It takes education and awareness, resources and tools, a short- and long-term strategy, and a strong social support system, but most importantly it takes self leadership and accountability. You must take care of yourself; no one else can do that for you. I have seen this transformation happen personally and within others such as my colleague Heather. So, I’ll leave you with her story:
At 5’3” and 185 pounds, Heather felt she had reached a low point in her life. She decided it was time to make some changes, so she decided to reduce her sugar intake, fatty food consumption, portion sizes, and fast food meals. Shortly after making these changes, she joined her company’s wellness committee and gained more knowledge of the wellness program. That’s when she started her second set of healthy lifestyle changes.
Heather began to increase her exercise as well as intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. She also started paying attention to her water consumption and intake of high fiber foods. Heather states not only has she improved her health, but she has also benefited financially as she spends less on healthcare expenses. She credits the family, her friends, her company, and most importantly her personal commitment to herself as the keys for the sustained motivation to live a healthy lifestyle.
Heather has embraced what it means to be accountable and is on the path to a long, healthy life. She currently weighs 110 pounds and feels great and has more energy for her family and the community. She uses her story as inspiration to help create a healthier and more vibrant community and helps people understand the endless possibilities when they become accountable for the life they want to live. She is the most positive and happy person I know.
Take a look at how I would have answered this question if it were my job application. More importantly, I challenge you to think about how you would answer the question and then ask yourself, “Am I accountable for my health and well-being?” Do you own your health, or do you fall victim to countless excuses, like I am too busy, I am too tired, I don’t have time, eating healthy is too expensive, I have kids? When are you going to commit to creating the life that you want—full of energy, optimism, and good health?
Job Application Question and My Answer
Make a thoughtful rational and emotional case (in less than one page) for why it is important (economically & psychologically) for Americans to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being.
When reflecting on our society, it makes me think of the typical tradition of abandoning New Year’s resolutions and how that has been going on for hundreds of years. At the turn of the century, the Irish poet Oscar Wilde noted that New Year’s resolutions are merely “checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.”
Now is the time that Americans step up and become more accountable. We are in the throes of a crisis of health with the growing obesity and Type II Diabetes epidemics, not to mention high every-day stress levels. The good news for Americans is that there is a tremendous amount of scientific information available on the importance of regular physical activity and healthy nutrition and how these two things can delay death and disease. However, there is a huge gap between what is known scientifically about eating healthy and exercising and what most citizens of U.S. and other Westernized countries actually do. For example, we now know that approximately 40% of all cancers are caused by the typical American diet, lack of physical activity, and obesity, AND that cancer is mostly a preventable disease. Despite this information only 20% of Americans eat fruits and vegetables per day. Also, most Americans fail to get enough physical activity to receive any health benefits. To extend life, improve the quality of life, and avoid the onset of chronic diseases, the gap between what is currently known and what Americans actually do needs to be reduced.
Forks need suitable options on the plate…
Local culture, money, taste, time, and availability of food all help us determine what to eat, and making smarter choices in this decision making process is difficult. Some people don’t change because they may not have had the opportunity to learn what a healthy diet consists of, how much exercise is enough, and how these two lifestyle choices are directly related to the causes of death. Sometimes even if people know they should live a healthy lifestyle, lack of motivation, time, social support, and presence of environmental pressures to eat unhealthy foods and to be sedentary often overwhelm their ability to change.
Change is hard and it takes time, but it can be done. It takes education and awareness, resources and tools, a short- and long-term strategy, and a strong social support system, but most importantly it takes self leadership and accountability. You must take care of yourself; no one else can do that for you. I have seen this transformation happen personally and within others such as my colleague Heather. So, I’ll leave you with her story:
At 5’3” and 185 pounds, Heather felt she had reached a low point in her life. She decided it was time to make some changes, so she decided to reduce her sugar intake, fatty food consumption, portion sizes, and fast food meals. Shortly after making these changes, she joined her company’s wellness committee and gained more knowledge of the wellness program. That’s when she started her second set of healthy lifestyle changes.
Heather began to increase her exercise as well as intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. She also started paying attention to her water consumption and intake of high fiber foods. Heather states not only has she improved her health, but she has also benefited financially as she spends less on healthcare expenses. She credits the family, her friends, her company, and most importantly her personal commitment to herself as the keys for the sustained motivation to live a healthy lifestyle.
Heather has embraced what it means to be accountable and is on the path to a long, healthy life. She currently weighs 110 pounds and feels great and has more energy for her family and the community. She uses her story as inspiration to help create a healthier and more vibrant community and helps people understand the endless possibilities when they become accountable for the life they want to live. She is the most positive and happy person I know.
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Value of Total Well-Being
I was in the airport last week and picked up the Harvard Business Review, and the cover had a big smiley face with a title, “The Value of Happiness; How Employee Well-being Drives Profits.” I was so excited to read the article because my passion is helping people live healthier, more productive, and happier lives through wellness programs. Your office may already have a strong focus on wellness, but I felt driven to share a few ideas with you, as even making small changes can increase engagement, productivity, and happiness in your office.
In my opinion, if all research about what causes human happiness could be condensed to one word, it would be “social.” If I wanted to predict your happiness, and I could know only one thing about you, I wouldn’t want to know your gender, religion, health, profession, or income. I would want to know about your social network—your family and friends and the strength of the bonds that you have with them. The happiest people are engaged and interacting within these strong relationships often, especially regarding things that are important to them, such as hobbies and health goals.
It’s no surprise that the social interaction is critical to developing healthy habits and reaching health-related goals. For example, how many times have you been in your office when a big basket of sweet, sugary goodies comes in the door…and how easy is it for you to resist when all of your coworkers are snacking on those cookies and candies? Using your social network to make smart choices will lead to the happiness that comes from being in a supportive environment and increase your ability to meet your goals.
Often you can be working on your personal health (for example, eating better or working out more), but if you don’t have a strong support system, the sustainability of your behavior change diminishes. This is why we encourage you to engage your family and friends in your wellness activities. Share your wellness goals with someone who will hold you accountable. Maybe begin running or taking a fitness class with a group of friends early in the morning—it’s amazing how much more motivated you’ll be to get up early with a friend than if you are just by yourself.
Now let’s think about how you can apply this concept day to day to drive happiness and engagement in your office. Here are just a few ideas:
1. Turn sweet treat days into happy and healthy days. Take turns bringing creative and wholesome (yet yummy!) food into the office for celebrations and/or weekly food days. Think about it—if free food is available, whether it’s junk or a healthy snack, most people will still enjoy every bite and build relationships with each other while standing around the snack table.
2. Walk together. Choose a day of the week when a group from your office consistently takes a walk around campus. We call these Walking Wednesdays and find that getting outside with a large group of people brings energy and the social support they need to get up and moving.
3. Challenge each other. Invite others to participate in a local race, join you in giving up a bad habit for a few weeks, or even simply take 10 minutes away from their desk a few times a week to relieve stress with you. Simply offering the idea and letting others know you are taking the action can drive them to make healthy choices as well—and this will make it easier for you to stick to what you set out to do.
So, what can you do today to choose wellbeing? Set some goals, grab a friend and get active, and support those around you. Together, you can build each other up for a healthy, happy & high performing 2012!
Be well,
Colleen Reilly
President of Total Well-Being
In my opinion, if all research about what causes human happiness could be condensed to one word, it would be “social.” If I wanted to predict your happiness, and I could know only one thing about you, I wouldn’t want to know your gender, religion, health, profession, or income. I would want to know about your social network—your family and friends and the strength of the bonds that you have with them. The happiest people are engaged and interacting within these strong relationships often, especially regarding things that are important to them, such as hobbies and health goals.
It’s no surprise that the social interaction is critical to developing healthy habits and reaching health-related goals. For example, how many times have you been in your office when a big basket of sweet, sugary goodies comes in the door…and how easy is it for you to resist when all of your coworkers are snacking on those cookies and candies? Using your social network to make smart choices will lead to the happiness that comes from being in a supportive environment and increase your ability to meet your goals.
Often you can be working on your personal health (for example, eating better or working out more), but if you don’t have a strong support system, the sustainability of your behavior change diminishes. This is why we encourage you to engage your family and friends in your wellness activities. Share your wellness goals with someone who will hold you accountable. Maybe begin running or taking a fitness class with a group of friends early in the morning—it’s amazing how much more motivated you’ll be to get up early with a friend than if you are just by yourself.
Now let’s think about how you can apply this concept day to day to drive happiness and engagement in your office. Here are just a few ideas:
1. Turn sweet treat days into happy and healthy days. Take turns bringing creative and wholesome (yet yummy!) food into the office for celebrations and/or weekly food days. Think about it—if free food is available, whether it’s junk or a healthy snack, most people will still enjoy every bite and build relationships with each other while standing around the snack table.
2. Walk together. Choose a day of the week when a group from your office consistently takes a walk around campus. We call these Walking Wednesdays and find that getting outside with a large group of people brings energy and the social support they need to get up and moving.
3. Challenge each other. Invite others to participate in a local race, join you in giving up a bad habit for a few weeks, or even simply take 10 minutes away from their desk a few times a week to relieve stress with you. Simply offering the idea and letting others know you are taking the action can drive them to make healthy choices as well—and this will make it easier for you to stick to what you set out to do.
So, what can you do today to choose wellbeing? Set some goals, grab a friend and get active, and support those around you. Together, you can build each other up for a healthy, happy & high performing 2012!
Be well,
Colleen Reilly
President of Total Well-Being
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