Home Home < Human Resources and Benefits Briefing < September 2008

UC Living WellTaking an online health assessment last spring and reviewing the results gave Rita McLean some food for thought: fruit instead of a sugary snack and walk rather than stay glued to the computer.

McLean, a recruiter in Human Resources and a 37-year employee at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, already had a good idea of what the StayWell health assessment would reveal. Still, it gave her the push to eat more healthily, get exercise and lose weight.

First, she joined the American Cancer Society's Active for Life Online 10-week program, which encourages employees to become more fit. And she took advantage of a benefit that many UC employees qualify for through Staywell - a wellness coach.

Because McLean's health assessment from StayWell identified some lifestyle-related health risks, she was invited to participate in StayWell's NextSteps Wellness Coaching Program. And for the last several months, she's had a coach who is resourceful and encouraging as McLean tries to meet her goal of losing 25 pounds and adopting healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

"I pretty much know what I have to do, but (wellness coach) Jodi keeps me on track," says McLean. "I like to make myself accountable, and during our monthly sessions on the phone we go over my goals and my progress. I don t want to let her down."

senior woman walkingMcLean's coach has also linked her to a variety of resources, including handy online information about nutrition and exercise. McLean and her coach are apparently a good fit. She has lost five pounds, exercises for at least 30 minutes after work, now uses her two 15-minute work breaks to go for a walk, and her diet has improved. "I have an incredible sweet tooth, but more often, now, I reach for fruit instead of a cookie and drink more water than soda," she says.

Importantly, she now feels more energetic, alert and calm during the day. "The job can be stressful sometimes, but the walks during the day are a great way of relieving stress," she says. "My co-workers have noticed my efforts and the results. That motivates me, too."

Noreen Lyn, an accountant at the UCSF Medical Center, tells a similar story. She took her health assessment in March, persuaded by a $75 gift certificate incentive from Staywell (which she turned into three $25 gift cards to Target, Applebees and Barnes & Noble). After her assessment, she also chose to engage a wellness coach for nutrition and fitness advice. It's been a healthy relationship since.

"Before, I didn't exercise, but wasn't ready to join a gym or do something vigorous," says Lyn. "I wanted to start slowly and build later."

With the help of her coach, Lyn set some reasonable goals - exercise three times a week for at least 30 minutes and watch what she was eating. Since the spring, she has lost some weight, increased her exercise to five times a week, and she's better at bypassing the chips in the vending machine. When she was feeling stress in her shoulders at work, her coach informed her of exercises to help her relax.

Lyn sees and feels the progress she's made, and it's more than physical. "I'm breathing better and my mind is clearer," she says. "I'm committed to continuing on this course."

After all, it's the healthy thing to do.
All UC Kaiser Permanente members and their family members aged 18 and older may take a health assessment via Kaiser's HealthWorks program. Those who take the assessment are eligible for a quarterly drawing for prizes, including a $500 gift certificate and iPods.

UC employees, retirees and family members enrolled in other UC health plans may complete a StayWell health assessment and receive a $75 gift certificate to a merchant of their choice. Employees represented by UC unions, except those represented by UC-AFT and SETC, are not eligible for StayWell because participation was not agreed to on behalf of their members during the collective bargaining process.

For more information, visit the UC Living Well website.