Corporate Wellness Program, Walktober, Inspires Workers to Get Fit, Reduces Health Risks

Aug. 25, 2011 - PRLog -- According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/professionals/promotion/index.html), adults need 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity exercise (like brisk walking) or 75 minutes/week of vigorous-intensity exercise (like running) — or a combination — for optimal health.

Walking is one of the simplest, safest ways to get moving — and has the lowest dropout rate of any type of exercise. Walktober, an innovative worksite wellness program from Health Enhancement Systems (www.HealthEnhancementSystems.com), gets individuals and teams to adopt a daily walking habit that reduces health risks and improves well-being. To preview new program features and enhancements, wellness managers can visit http://www.walktober.com or watch a 1-minute video at http://www.youtube.com/user/HealthEnhancementSys#p/u/10/dCobu_4_s_I. A full demo is available by calling Health Enhancement Systems at 800.326.2317 (989.839.0852).   

Sedentary, high-stress lifestyles combined with poor nutrition and inadequate sleep contribute to an unhealthy workforce that’s costing employers a fortune in healthcare expenses. But many cost drivers — like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers — can be prevented with healthy lifestyle habits, including daily walking. The challenge for employers is getting workers moving, keeping them moving, and helping them establish a lifelong habit of physical activity.

It takes more than knowledge and awareness to inspire lasting behavior change — a 2010 Centers for Disease Control report (www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/sr10_249.pdf) states that over half of all Americans still don’t get enough exercise to reap the health benefits, and 33% get no leisure-time physical activity at all — despite long-standing public health messages. That’s why Walktober focuses on walking — a simple activity that nearly anyone can do. The revamped online program engages employees with fun, interactive fall trails to track daily steps or dedicated walking minutes.  Participants experience a new location every day — with colorful graphics and vivid images from North America’s most spectacular autumn hot spots. A fresh new home page shows their location on the color tour; a new ZIP code-based weather icon offers a quick look at current conditions. Participants are awarded red, orange, or gold leaves — each with a different point value — every day based on walking steps or minutes. Informative, motivating daily emails along with the Fun Fall Facts game encourage daily log-ins. Walktober also features healthy fall recipes in a searchable database that allows users to flag favorites and see recently viewed dishes.

Social support — a key ingredient in helping employees get active and stay active — is built in to Walktober in several ways. Individuals can invite other participants to be Sole Mates (a buddy feature) to view each other’s progress and offer encouraging messages. For a healthy spirit of competition, teams of 4 or more gather leaf points to win. Participants can also access a message board to inspire others, stay motivated, or simply view posts from the Walktober expert.

Walktober is also available in an easy-to-implement paper version. The kit includes emails to boost participation, customizable promotion materials, educational articles, recipes, games, and more for seamless execution in any size organization.

“Touting the benefits of exercise isn’t enough,” notes Dean Witherspoon, CEO and founder of Health Enhancement Systems. “To keep employees interested, a wellness program also has to be enjoyable. Walktober offers a fun, easy way for employees to make walking a daily habit — plus the social support they need to stay active. Walktober helps cultivate a healthier, happier workforce — and that’s good for business.”

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Health Enhancement Systems creates employee wellness programs for organizations in North America and throughout the world. More than 20 effective, engaging HES wellness campaigns have been adopted by over a thousand organizations — serving hundreds of thousands of participants successfully.

For more information about Health Enhancement Systems, visit http://www.HealthEnhancementSystems.com or call 800.326.2317.