SALE!

In Honor of EMS Week (and Law Enforcement week & Fire Week) the Fit Responder E-Book is ON SALE…..50% OFF Sale.

go to http://shop.thefitresponder.com/Fit-Responder-E-Book-FRB1.htm

and enter coupon code EMSW2012

Tactical Training

Tactical Training Tire Roll UP Stairs

Field Day Tactical Training Fit Responder Style

Wellness at Work

Wellness is the hot buzz word in the workplace, employee wellness, workforce wellness, injury prevention, reduced absenteeism, reduced presenteeism, workforce productivity, stress reduction, nutrition, diet, weight loss the list is frankly endless!

Ask an EMT, Fire Fighter or Officer; ask a laborer, desk jockey or VP what wellness is or what wellness means and you will get almost 100% different answers and this is where the problem begins.  Wellness is an all encompassing umbrella term to cover everything and anything health related.

Wellness at Work must mean different things to each employee and WE must understand what it means to them to make wellness work for US.

Field Employees:

1. injury prevention and injury reduction

2. Learning how to eat on the go and on the street

3.  How to manage stress in a high production department

4. Tricks and tips to burn calories while on duty and at work

5. Resources an employee can access on duty and at work to track their food and calorie intake.

6.  Education and resources to help them with safe and effective exercises.

7.  Fitness program design, not a generic one size fits all programs but a periodized and individualized scientific fitness program.

8. The Knowledge and assistance to overcome barriers and obstacles to achieving personal fitness.

9.  Simple and highly effective ergonomic steps that are constantly reinforced to ensure safe and efficient material, equipment and equipment handling.

Administration:

1. Improved morale

2. Reduced overexertion soft tissue injuries

3. Improved staffing as a result of reduced OJI’s and improved morale.

4. Reduced uniform expenses from weight gain.

5. Lowered workers compensation costs

6. Significantly reduced presenteeism = fewer accidents, mistakes and injuries.

7. Improved career longevity from healthier employees.

8. Lower fuel costs from lower employee weight.

9. Reduced medical costs through fewer sick employees, they will use their benefits less.

10. True culture change when Admin and Field employees ALL champion, cheer-lead, reinforce, coach and lead lasting and measurable organizational change!

40 Important Ergonomics Tips for Students Online All the Time

(http://www.accreditedonlinecolleges.com/blog/2012/40-important-ergonomics-tips-for-students-online-all-the-time/

Creeping Obesity

Reading an article today on the staggering costs of obesity It dawned on me that besides diabetes running rampant in all ages, heart attacks in 20 year old’s, strokes in teens and added fuel costs from cars having to move more weight from point A to B we as a culture are missing the point.  Sure all these things are happening and we can blame everything from sugar and processed foods to computers and video games BUT h the bottom line is that we just need to move.

Look at the data (and I look at a LOT of data and studies) and the recommendation is always the same, fitness and good nutrition!  Look at your self, look at your team, look at your company.  Corporate wellness and employee wellness pay huge dividends.  But it is very hard to get an organization out of the mindset of lets sit down and talk about it.  Lets sit down and have a meeting.  As leaders and agents of change it’s your vision that allows positive change to occur.  Walking meetings, fitness centers, wellness challenges, healthy snacks and water, fitness classes are just the beginning.

Changing a culture means accepting that bad habits (I have to have my coffee) are just that, habits.  Anyone can be trained and educated but changing habits requires acknowledging that there is a problem, making it known to the organization what that problem is and finding a clear and concise path for all to overcome that problem (we sit too long).  Once that problem is overcome and positive wellmentum (wellness momentum) we can accomplish all the cost saving and wellness goals that we desire.  In this case we must engage the herd, the rider and grow healthy grass, but that grass must be found down a clear path that the herd understands and can identify with!

Public Safety Fitness & Wellness

This Months Fit Tips Newsletter!  Check it out.

 

Public Safety Fitness & Wellness.

Fitness Team

Does your company have a wellness or fitness team?  Do your employees have a voice for their health and wellness concerns?  Is your organization proactive for reducing workers compensation and health care costs?

There are employees in your organization that are screaming to be heard and they have good ideas!  Good ideas that can save you money and boost overall productivity.  There are employees in your organization that are only heard when they have a complaint, do you tap into these folks to empower them a position of leadership and responsibility?

Identify the employees that want to be heard, add the employees that are powerful negatives and give them clear goals, set them loose.  Listen to what they say and the solutions they invent.  These employees, when they feel responsible and care, become the most powerful leaders to inspire and drive the teams forward into a culture of wellness, fitness and health.

On-duty EMS fitness: Pressing exercises

On-duty EMS fitness: Pressing exercises.

Exercise and Cancer

The following is a guest article from David Haas at the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Physical Fitness and its Impact on Cancer

Years of research have established that exercise is good for everyone. Physical activity improves health in numerous ways. It controls weight, strengthens the body, lowers the risk for disease and promotes emotional well-being.

In addition to these health benefits, researchers have discovered that exercise can impact cancer. A growing body of evidence shows that physical fitness plays an important role in reducing cancer risk. Despite the benefits, more than half of American adults do not get enough exercise.

How Much Exercise is Enough?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other national health organizations advise adults to engage in 30 minute of moderate physical activity at least five days a week. Those who participate in vigorous activities should work out for 20 minutes on at least three days a week.

Good moderate activities include brisk walking, hiking, bicycling, aerobic dancing and water aerobics. For more intense exercise, people can consider race-walking, running, backpacking, roller-skating and high-impact aerobics.

Calisthenics, stretching, and yoga are good examples of flexibility and balance exercises, which are have a place in a good exercise plan. Weight training, isometrics and exercising with resistance bands are good for strength training.

How Does Exercise Impact Cancer?

According to the National Cancer Institute, physical activity reduces the risk of developing certain cancers. Abundant research shows that exercise protects against colon, breast, prostate, endometrial and lung cancers. Regular physical activity also prevents cancer recurrence and increases the survival rate among cancer survivors.

What are the Benefits for Cancer Patients?

Men and women who struggle with painful cancer symptoms and treatment side effects also benefit from a cancer fitness program. Cancer takes a toll on a patient’s energy, emotions, appetite, sleep and more. Although many patients feel too tired and sick to exercise, physical activity actually increases their energy levels and combats the fatigue and nausea.

It also improves a cancer patient’s emotional health. Clinical studies and individual reports reveal that exercise lifts the mood and encourages a positive outlook. Even for those facing advanced mesothelioma and other late-stage malignancies, exercise gives patients a higher quality of life that allows them to face their challenges with determination and hope.

http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/