One of the simplest ways to increase physical activity is with walking. Walking is easy to start, it can be done just about anywhere, and it’s very inexpensive. All that is needed is a pair of sturdy shoes with good heel and arch supports. Using property site plans and facility drawings, determine distances around the property and draw this up, scan this document and post it on the Safety and Health Committee bulletin board, the company intranet, or both. For large manufacturing plants, do the same on the inside of the property. For those who like to walk during breaks and during lunchtime, provide these employees with both a map and a mileage log sheet. Add an incentive program to the mix and the organization has the beginnings of a true wellness movement. Home Depot’s wellness program centers on walking the store. Each site's wellness representative is tasked with marking off a mile in or around the store and promoting it as the Home Depot Gold Medal Mile. Associates are encouraged to walk the mile to warm up to work and track it on their challenge log sheet.
If you are a supervisor, manager or owner, strap on a pedometer and convey a positive image. Set the standard and example for others in the organization and ask that all Safety Committee members purchase pedometers and start to track their daily steps. The National Health Promotion Advocates now estimate that up to 80% of America is not ready to change today so try turning the notion of daily exercise into just daily activity. Institute a steps walking program using one of the dozens of programs one can find on the Internet. America On the Move is a FREE step/team tracker funded by your tax dollars and the ShapeUp! America web site has a complete turnkey program and a kit that includes: a pedometer, a copy of the 10,000 steps per day program, a copy of Healthy Weight, Healthy Living, and Fitting Fitness In. Creative Walking Inc. has complete step systems designed for corporate, school, and hospital settings. Pedometers sell for as little as $50-$10; even cheaper if purchased in volume and they can be purchased at any sporting good store as well over the Internet. Count the movement that does take place and use it as motivation to increase the steps each month by 20% a month until one reaches the goal of 10,000 steps each day. Design and promote programs that fit into daily life and success is a lot easier to achieve.
Go ahead and use the momentum this time of the year brings - and decide to get co-workers out walking, chatting, and JUST DOING ANYTHING! It is a wonder what fresh air does for one's body, attitude and stresses of the day. ~ Dr. Bud
Dr. George "Bud" Harris is a Safety & Health Engineer, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Ergonomics Tech and Wellness Coach. He credits his early experiences as a college dropout, helicopter logger, 10 years in Europe in the US Air Force, and sawmill electrician with his altruistic ability for over 25 years to inspire people to JUST DO Anything. "Dr. Bud" is a NW Triathlete, Hillsboro Kids Biking & Running Coach, and Wellness author and speaker. He works at Intel and owns and operates www.fitnesswork.com, a Health & Wellness Coaching firm with his Danish wife and two teenage daughters.