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Two Years Later
Organizations often ask us, "What do we do
after the LoneStart Challenge ends?" We say,
"Keep it going," and here's how one
organization does just that.
Exactly two years ago, DJS International Inc.
had the distinction of becoming the first
LoneStart corporate client. And, what a
successful client they have been! From 100
percent employee participation in the 63-Day
LoneStart Team Esteem Challenge, to employees
who have stayed motivated and continue to
create their own challenges, to moving toward
employee wellness as a corporate value - and
this year, to achieving a "flat" insurance
renewal. In other words, no increase on
medical insurance premiums.
Melissa Sekin Meyer with DJS International
Services says the company has always felt
strongly that it should provide full medical
coverage for its employees, yet as insurance
costs continued to escalate with double-digit
increases every year, they knew those costs
couldn't continue to be absorbed. She says
those costs were partly influenced by the
company's poor claims experience, something that
could be addressed through an effective
wellness initiative. "We
looked at health and wellness programs and
LoneStart seemed to be the most positive and
meaningful way to encourage real change that
benefitted not just our corporate insurance
costs, but actual employee health and quality
of life. It was a win-win."
Since their initial success, DJS employees
have initiated a series of what they call
"LoneStart Revivals." It's their own version
of a team challenge, but with twists and
parameters that meet specific
employee-defined needs and goals. "We're
having fun with wellness, and it's great to
watch it become a part of our corporate
culture," says Meyer.
The company now puts out its own wellness
newsletter to support employee efforts, and
highlights "national awareness months," such
as Cholesterol Awareness and Breast Cancer
Awareness with the Komen Race for the Cure.
Meyer says the continued support she receives
from LoneStart in the way of newsletters,
customized posters and personal communication
works as an important reminder to her to
continue in her efforts in developing the
company's culture of wellness, keeping it in
the structure of their corporate goals.
Meyer points out that the change in employee
health is reflected in weight loss, smoking
cessation, increased commitment to physical
activity and a general greater
acknowledgement of the importance of wellness
as a way of life. She says the greatest
single objective measurement to date is the
flat renewal - no increase - on medical
insurance premiums this year. "This is almost
unheard of in a group of our size, and we are
absolutely thrilled!"
Meyer says the long-term successes of some of
the most "changed" employees is motivating to
other employees. "The success of a few
matters a lot, and encourages those who
weren't previously successful to give it
another try. It's really great to see that."
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Must Be The Season Of The Witch
The Halloween candy is on the grocery shelves
(and maybe already sitting in bowls or
stashed away in desk drawers around the
workplace).
Next comes Thanksgiving, then Christmas. By
the time the New Year and our yearly
resolution to get healthy rolls around, the
majority of us will have gained a fresh three
to five pounds!
The secret to making it through the holidays
is really pretty simple. It's all about
moderation, not denial, not reckless abandon,
not avoidance. It's about understanding the
consequences of our holiday behavior and
being mindful, realistic and a little
proactive. To help you and your employees get
from here to there, we're offering the second
annual complimentary "Here
Come The Holidays"poster. Please feel free
to download and print as many as you wish and
post around the office / break room. (Or
Contact
Us for information on how to arrange
for posters with your logo, to distribute to
employees, clients and associates.) You can
also download the companion PDF, Get
Me Through The Holidays from the Workplace
page
of our website with even more detailed help,
tips and ideas for doing all we can now. Get
a jumpstart on 2009 by making these realistic
and achievable lifestyle choices. Let's all
make this a happy and healthy holiday season.
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Attention TORCH Member Hospitals
Just a reminder: If you intend to take part
in the 2008 TORCH Wellness Challenge, time's
running out. And, don't think this isn't a
good time to start the LoneStart 63-Day Team
Esteem Wellness Challenge. It's exactly the
time to start. Rather than
risking that average 3 to 5 pound seasonal
gain, your employees will have the
opportunity to start
the New Year with a headstart on that age-old
"get healthy" New Year's resolution. CLICK
HERE to request information on how to get
started.
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Help us be sure this e-mail newsletter isn't filtered as spam. Please add our return address (information@lonestartnow.com) to your address book. That may 'whitelist' us with your filter-and ensure that future issues get through. Thanks! If your organization is ready to take responsibility for promoting healthy lifestyles and a healthy work environment, LoneStart is an effective, low-cost and easy-to-administer employee wellness program, which functions equally well as a stand-alone initiative or as a high-impact jump-start to existing or proposed employee wellness strategies. Contact us today to find out how the LoneStart Wellness Initiative will change your workplace. Please share Wellness in the Workplace with colleagues. Please forward this newsletter to friends and associates who will benefit from a workplace wellness strategy such as the LoneStart Wellness Initiative.
A Challenge. An Opportunity. A Solution.
The LoneStart Wellness Initiative
email:
information@lonestartnow.com
phone:
512.894.3440
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