Employers and employees across the country share the benefits they are experiencing from their workplace wellness programs.

Ensuring employees stay healthy in the workplace is a big priority for The American Diabetes Association (ADA). The Alexandria, Virginia-based non-profit has employed a rich mix of long- and short-term wellness initiatives that embrace nutrition, weight control and physical activity, and fully reimburses employees for such extra benefits to help them stay fit and healthy. READ MORE

“It all started with one little pedometer… Before joining my company’s wellness program in 2008, I weighed 250 pounds. I hated being obese, I was ashamed at how much space I took up in the world. I joined the program for some motivation to start exercising, and after about a month, I made a commitment to adopt a healthy lifestyle. I changed my eating habits and started walking as much as I could. At the beginning, that was less than ¼ mile. But soon that increased to a couple miles at a time, which encouraged me to try different kinds of exercise. Now, I do martial arts, I lift weights…I do some form of exercise 7 days a week. And I’ve lost over 100 pounds!” READ MORE

Memphis-based First Horizon National Corp., a leading financial services company that has been consistently recognized as one of the nation’s best employers by AARP and Working Mother magazines, was on the hunt for new employee wellness benefits.  The company sought an innovative program that would enhance employees’ work-life balance and complement the company’s overall culture. READ MORE

“I’d been in denial about my health for a long time. But when I was diagnosed with diabetes in March, 2009, I could no longer deny it. Something had to change, otherwise I could lose my feet, my vision, or have a heart attack. The day I was diagnosed was the day I changed my lifestyle, and I haven’t looked back. I eat better and I joined my company’s wellness program, which really inspires me to be active. I’ve worn out 3 pair of walking shoes since I joined! My life has changed for the better: I’m not stuck on the couch, eating in front of the TV, wasting my life. And I’m actually looking forward to my 50th birthday this year, because I feel better than I have in years!” READ MORE

“In June of 2009, I had my normal checkup with my doctor. The year before, my blood pressure was high and I was dreading the outcome of this appointment. My doctor had said medication was needed if it did not lower. He checked my blood pressure and was pleasantly surprised. It was significantly lower. My doctor asked what I had been doing, so I explained the wellness program and told him how I had started walking or riding a bike instead of sitting on the couch. It’s been over a year and I thank my employer for starting such a great program.”

“It became crystal clear that our firm was not going to be in a good position down the road if our employees didn’t start taking better care of themselves,” said Victoria Seligmiller, Benefits Administrator at Michael Best. “So we went on the offensive, and made finding a wellness program that would motivate our employees to become more active and lead healthier lifestyles a top priority.” READ MORE

“I’m a stage III ovarian cancer survivor. I wore my pedometer throughout chemotherapy, even on the bad days when I’d attach it to my pajamas. Knowing it was on my hip inspired me to get up and move around. I’d walk while waiting to see the doctor, while waiting to be called into the infusion area, and I’d keep walking once I was “plugged in” to the chemo. When I visited Dana Farber in March, they told me the best thing I can do during survivorship is wear my pedometer and maintain a healthy BMI. Thank you to my company’s wellness program. You have empowered me in my cancer challenge to do my very best.” READ MORE

“I had some health issues which required hospital stays and surgeries. To help me recover, I began really focusing on my health and losing weight. I got more exercise and watched my diet, and lost 60 pounds. Soon, my weight loss slowed down considerably, so I just focused on maintaining the weight I’d lost rather than trying to lose more, even though I wanted to. Enter my company’s wellness program. I began with their recommended step goal of 7,000 steps a day. Now, after losing an additional 25 lbs, I strive for 20,000 steps a day. I’m only 10 pounds away from my goal weight, something I never thought was even remotely possible!” READ MORE

As Ochsner Health System, an academic, non-profit integrated healthcare system comprised of eight hospitals and 35 clinics located throughout Louisiana, continued to grow and expand, so did its healthcare costs. The company recognized that a more integrated and accessible employee health program was needed to replace its home-grown, manual-based wellness program. READ MORE

“Just a year after the point where I could barely run one mile, I finished my first marathon. And the cholesterol? It dropped down from 240 to 118, and for the first time in my life my ‘good cholesterol’ has outpaced the ‘bad cholesterol.’ And as a bonus, my doctor is scaling back my medication. If things keep going the way they are, I may be able to get off the medication all together.”

“At 32 with 3 kids, I was out of shape and unhealthy, even though my outward appearance said otherwise. I was always tired and just never felt good. My doctor suggested some medications, and even a small medical procedure, but I wanted to think about it. I’m glad I did. I visited the website of my company’s wellness program and a light bulb went off in my head: I was going to regain control of my life. I joined, and began to walk, which felt great. Then I began to jog, run, swim, dance, lift weights… and guess what?! No need for meds or a medical procedure. It’s two years later and I feel better than I have in a very long time. Thank you!” READ MORE

To say Protective Life is no stranger to wellness programs would be an understatement. The Birmingham-AL based insurance company’s focus on wellness started a good 25 years before today’s healthcare reform talks. The company had implemented numerous comprehensive programs spanning from nutrition and fitness programs, to healthy living classes, and healthcare cost increases had remained below national trends for more than two decades. READ MORE

“I’d always been an active person, but my MS was starting to slow me down. It affects the way I walk, and fatigue is a problem. Since I started using my company’s wellness program, my strength has increased as has my endurance, and I’ve found myself keeping pace with my coworkers. Tracking my activity helps me keep my steps above a certain level each day, and keeps me from sitting down, which increases my stiffness and spasticity. Making music, eating and being active are my passions, and now I have even more incentive to get it in gear.” READ MORE