Page 105 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2017

GRAPHIC DESIGNER, Missy Mitchell, stands at her Varidesk as she works.
(Not listed in order)
H. Vierling,
B. Grajales,
S. Savasta,
B. DiLorenzo, T. Scott, D. Ross, L.J. Barnes, P. Bridges, T. Scott,
B. Walton, J. Ervin and
P. Lesher from Global Financial Aid enjoy their daily walks and fitness initiatives offered by their fit-friendly company.
2159 E. Pass Road, Unit A, Gulfport 228.604.5307
key. For example, some employees stand while they work using multi-functional sit-to-stand desktops called Varidesks. Other businesses, such as Global Financial Aid Services, aim to get their employees up and moving throughout the day.
“We work hard to make sure our employees have the opportunity to improve themselves,” said Cindy Foxworth, executive director of human resources at Global Financial Aid Services. “We’ve even been approved as a fit-friendly company by the American Heart Association since 2013.”
Employees from the company walk in groups during their breaks or work out
in the office’s free gym. Global offers a variety of fitness initiatives, including
a Biggest Loser program, which awards participants for weight lost. At the beginning of the 12-week program, Global starts a pot with a $150 donation, then adds to it as each employee pays $10 to join and pays in an additional $1 for every pound gained each week. At the end of the 12 weeks, the “biggest loser” takes home the pot, which can total $800-$900. The most recent winner of the challenge lost an astounding 98 pounds.
The American Heart Association’s goal by the year 2020 is to reduce
the rate of death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent
and to improve the heart health of all Americans by 20 percent.
More than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for heart disease and stroke as well as many other chronic illnesses and conditions. Making healthy
changes in the workplace, where many adults spend much of their day, is
an important way to help people be healthier.
The American Heart Association encourages employers to become Fit-
Friendly Worksites and provides the following free tools:
• Healthy eating resources • Walking and physical
activity programs
• Worksite wellness materials • National Walking Day and
National Eating Healthy Day event materials
• Informative e-newsletters for employers
and employees
To earn Fit-Friendly recognition:
• Work with the local American Heart Association to determine eligibility.
• Apply or renew online at heart.org/fitfriendly.
• Renew recognition status
annually.
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July 2017 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 105