This may be new ‘Year of the Healthier You’

By Cynthia Lee

It's only a month into the new year, and already the inner voice that shouted out your commitment to get fit in 2008 is down to a whisper, drowned out by other "noise" in your head: It's too much trouble. It takes too much time. It's too difficult to make big changes in my life.

But now hear this: For UCLA employees, the opportunities to maximize your quality of life through health and fitness have never been greater.

Peter Asco leads a Tai Chi class.

Take a health quiz or check out a drug and nutrition guide on the Web, courtesy of StayWell, a new service debuting this month for eligible employees. Try a free noontime yoga class at the Wilshire Center or a Tai Chi/Qi Gong class that meets outside Bunche Hall. If you prefer basketball or soccer, join a lunch-hour game exclusively for staff and faculty at the Student Activities Center.

"We are on an ongoing quest to find pockets of space on this campus where we can provide free fitness activities for staff and faculty," said Elisa Terry, program director of FITWELL, a program designed to get staff and faculty moving.

Check out free FITWELL nutrition classes and workshops on how to start an exercise program. Departments and office units can sign up for a selection of multi-week group workshops for free. For more information, go to the FITWELL Web site.

This month, the UC Living Well Program, a wellness initiative for faculty and staff that was piloted last year at UCLA and two other sites, goes systemwide. Its Web site is a clearinghouse for information about campus wellness programs, recreational and sports facilities and activities.

The StayWell Health Management Program, a voluntary personalized wellness service offered under Living Well, launched its Web site last week, and eligible employees will receive information by mail. (Note: The program is not available to Kaiser members, who have access to a similar online program. Also, the leadership of several unions at UC has chosen not to participate on behalf of their UC bargaining unit members.)

Get started with StayWell by taking a confidential health assessment survey designed to determine if you have health risks due to smoking, unhealthy weight, high blood pressure, cholesterol or high stress, among others — and if you are ready to make a change. Upon completion of the survey, you will receive a $75 gift certificate redeemable at any of 350 retailers and restaurants or at UCLA Recreation for products and services (excluding membership), including personal training, Pilates, a mini-FIT Pass and chair massage.

Next, if you have one or more health risks and are willing to change, move on to the six-month NextSteps® Wellness Lifestyle Coaching Program to receive guidance and encouragement by phone, mail or e-mail.

"The phone is probably the most effective because there’s actually somebody at the end of the line holding you accountable," said Holly Scholl, StayWell program manager. "They help you identify goals and barriers, and they give you tips on how to overcome obstacles." Studies have shown that participants in phone-based programs in areas of eating habits, exercise and activity, stress control, tobacco and weight control were twice as likely (40% compared to 22%) to reduce their risks when compared to non-participants.