Vol. 17, No. 10	Nov. 6, 1997

The Wellness Paradox and how to solve it

Despite an individual's best efforts and resolutions to pursue a wellness lifestyle, these intentions can be affected and undermined by associates, relatives and friends.

Many have found that to pursue optimal health, quality work, and wellness they may have to work against unwritten, subtle manners or rules that have been in place in the workplace, family or social group for a long time.

This is the Wellness Paradox-when one's efforts to pursue a wellness-oriented lifestyle is looked upon unfavorably by family, friends or coworkers.

Those who live and work with chain-smoking couch potatoes may find their commitment to personal excellence through fitness, smoking avoidance or choice of non-alcoholic beverages to be considered an affront by those whose affection and esteem they most desire.

Unfortunately, the resulting conflicts might cause a person serious about wellness to feel bad about him or herself, and conclude that wellness is not worth the effort.

Most people conform to the cultures in which they live and work, and workplaces that create cultures hostile to wellness may inhibit workers and ultimately hinder productivity, camaraderie and quality of life.

Here are a few suggestions to deal with a hostile or unsupportive environment:

• Involve as many people around you as possible in your pursuit of wellness. Tell them you wish to improve your health and well being. Allow for the possibility that others may want to improve their health as well. A group with the same goal is always more effective than the isolated individual.

• Don't blame others for lifestyle quality mistakes you think others are making. Positive reinforcement always works better.

• Improve your own understanding of your work and out-of-work environment-including other employees, supervisors, friends and relatives-and try to see how each relationship influences your health and wellness in general.

• Set realistic, attainable wellness goals and objectives, and share that vision with all who may be affected.

• Support others by creating a culture that makes optimal habits and behaviors a valued part of your life and relationships.

Prevent those unwanted holiday pounds

For many, the holiday season is a great time of joy, but it can also be a time of stress. Holidays typically involve over-spending, over-eating, over-drinking...over-everything. Given the abundance of "goodies" and holiday parties, it's not surprising that the average person gains 7 pounds between Thanksgiving and the New Year.

In an effort to assist employees who want to avoid putting on those extra pounds, the Employee Wellness Center will sponsor a weight maintenance challenge. Entitled Weigh To Go, the simple, easy-to-participate-in program involves attending a pre-holiday, private "weigh-in," receiving educational materials to help get through the various holidays and attending a "weigh-out" after the New Year.

There are no meetings to attend. Information is mailed to participating employees in the form of three Survival Kits-one each for Thanksgiving, the December holiday, and the New Year. Each kit contains information on nutrition, holiday recipes and stress management tools. The program is newly revised, so all of the information in the packets, including the recipes, is brand new.

The overall goal of the program is for employees to maintain their pre-holiday weight. An allowance of 3 pounds is built into the program to account for normal weight fluctuations. Employees who participate will be entered into a drawing for prizes.

To participate, employees need to stop by one of the "weigh-in" stations:

• From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, at the Wellness Center, Room 112, Carpenter Sports Building;

• From noon-1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 24, at the Nutrition Clinic, Room 121, Alison Hall; or

• From noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Room 131, General Services Building.

For answers to questions or for additional information, contact Marianne Carter, R.D., at the Employee Wellness Center.

Tips on surviving the 'holidaze'

For those interested in receiving weight maintenance and stress management strategies in a lecture format, a program entitled "Surviving the Holidaze" will be held from noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2, in Room 209, Trabant University Center. Preregistration is required. The cost is $10 Wellness Dollars.

To register, call the Wellness Center at 831-8388.

Have an enjoyable holiday season and a healthy New Year!

Moving beyond fitness

The Employee Wellness Program is offering an exciting opportunity to expand one's wellness perspective and realize that wellness behavior involves a number of aspects other than fitness. The Triathlon/ Pentathlon is an opportunity for employees to be rewarded for engaging in a variety of wellness pursuits.

This program is not a race, and it has been designed so that every participant can win.

The Triathlon/ Pentathlon is a goal-oriented program.

The idea is to participate in three to five wellness activities/categories throughout the coming year. These five categories include wellness screenings, nutrition, personal wellness, fitness and health education. Each category has a number of activities that are available to participants.

To win in the Triathlon, employees must complete at least three activities in three different categories.

To win in the Pentathlon, employees must complete an activity in each separate category.

Prizes will be awarded to participating employees who complete the requirements.

For more information and to register, call Employee Wellness at 831-8388.

Open house

Tuesday, Nov. 18

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Room 112, Carpenter Sports Building

Refreshments will be served.

Drop in, look around or just say, "Hi."

Regular office hours are from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Mondays-Fridays.