This year’s National President’s Challenge is in full swing. Last year, Alaska took first place among all states. We’re holding on to our top spot this year, but there’s definitely competition.
The Challenge is a national, six-week competition. Adult participants need to complete at least 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week. Children ages 6 to 17 need to finish at least 60 minutes of activity five days a week.
A number of DHSS employees have signed up this year, and they’re completing a wide range of activities during the day. Remember, about 100 different activities count. Some are walking, biking and lifting weights. Others are running, climbing mountains or doing yoga. Employees even count their household tasks — everyday activities that need to get done to keep the house in order, while burning calories at the same time.
Remember to make this activity count. All your minutes and hours need to be logged into the National President’s Challenge Web site to count toward your progress, and Alaska’s overall finish. To make it easier on your memory, log in the activity soon after you complete it. It only takes a couple of minutes, and the Web site will provide instant feedback about how you are getting closer and closer to your goal. Keep moving!
Worksite Wellness Resources
- LEANWorks!
A new website released by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designed to assist businesses in addressing obesity - Home is Not Always Where the Heart Is: Healthy Travel Tips
-
Promoting Health at Work: A Resource Guide
Developed by the Take Heart Alaska Worksite Health Promotion committee, this guide is a tool for worksites to identify resources and ideas to promote health among employees, including activities around nutrition and physical activity, weight management, tobacco cessation and stress management. Examples of health promotion programs that have been successful in Alaska, Washington and elsewhere in the United States are also featured. -
A Guide to Improving Worksite Stairwells
A great way to add physical activity into the daily routine is simply by climbing up or down a few flights of stairs every day on your way to lunch or in between meetings. This resource provides you with the information you need to spruce up your worksite's stairwells and motivate and encourage all employees to utilize them in an effort to strengthen your heart, muscles, and bones. - The Case for Comprehensive Worksite Wellness: Making Cents of a Good Idea
Today's workplace health programs are no longer viewed as just a good idea, but rather a crucial investment in an organization's long-term success. Employers are learning that providing an organizational environment that supports employees' physical and mental health, results in a net gain. Taking an organizational approach to workplace health means establishing and integrating a sustainable program of activities that reflect the priorities of the employees and addressing the many factors that affect employee well-being. -
A Step-by-Step Guide to Incorporating Healthy Foods into Your New or Existing Worksite Vending Machine
Americans are bombarded with unhealthy vending machine snacks! Offering healthy snack alternatives will promote health among employees, while still giving them the freedom to purchase what they want. Criteria are given for determining healthy choices and the most popular foods will be highlighted. -
Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace
Taking action to promote good health makes good business sense for all employers. There are numerous ways in which an organization can promote physical activity, some of which are VERY SIMPLE and inexpensive and outlined in this two page guide.