Healthy Lifestyle | PeopleSense Consulting

Does your organization walk the talk?

On April 13, 2012 / Graceful Leadership, Managing / 4 Comments

Our warming spring temperatures are making walks easier, but Grace and I get out year-round, even in frigid temperatures and sometimes icy conditions. The walks are good for both of us and I'm lucky to have her motivating me to get out, especially on those days when it would be easier to say I don't have time or have something more important to do.

No one would describe me as athletically inclined. I’m not very coordinated. I’ve never excelled at any sports, much as I enjoy watching my share of them on TV or in person.

But I do understand how important it is to stay active, mentally and physically. Grace sure helps with both.

One of the many things I love about having a dog is that she encourages me to get outside and move around. Even yesterday, I found myself walking down the street while there was a misty rain falling on us. She’s not a fan of rain, but she didn’t even mind the wet drops falling on us. Nor did I.

We’ve come to love our walks. It’s become such a routine that I am very aware when we don’t get out. Upon our return, I feel much more physically and mentally alert. We walk fast (though it certainly wouldn’t be considered speed-walking!), yet moving around in the fresh air definitely makes a difference to how I feel.

I tried to find some data on the effects of healthy employees in the workplace. One report, entitled “Healthy Workforce 2010 and Beyond” suggested that organizations need to view employee health as a productivity strategy as opposed to their more typical exercise of finding ways to manage costs for healthcare coverage.

The report noted that only 26% of U.S. adults report vigorous leisure-time activity for 20 minutes or longer three or more days per week. One of the major barriers is lack of time and inadequate access to convenient places to exercise. Walking can happen almost anywhere. So now we just need the time.

Finding time is not always easy. Our plates are full, not just at work, but at home. There is no way I would walk as much as I do if I didn’t have Grace encouraging, and yes, sometimes nagging me, to join her. Even as much as I love that time, I can find myself saying I have too much to do or that something “more important” should come first. We need that additional motivation to help us keep our commitment.

Maybe it’s a dog that’s by our side to encourage us. Or maybe it’s a progressive-minded employer. The report I mentioned above includes a short assessment that will disclose gaps and weaknesses in how your organization approaches employee health management. There are also sections in the report that will help you develop strategies for strengthening your initiatives. I encourage you to take a look; the report “Healthy Workforce 2010 and Beyond” and many more resources can be found here.

I need to finish this up and get some work done so Grace and I will have time for our walk today! But I’d love to hear what you do to stay active. What are your challenges and how to you address them? What suggestions do you have for employers to help all of us be healthy?

Enjoy lighter fare this Thanksgiving holiday

On November 23, 2011 / Graceful Leadership, Motivating / 7 Comments

I’m recommending lighter fare this Thanksgiving.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the amount of food you eat. Pile your plate up high with all the turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and rolls that you want. Enjoy it all. I sure plan to.

I’m talking about making sure you find time to have some “lighter” moments to enjoy the holiday.

After indulging in the pumpkin pie, do whatever else makes you happy. Watch football. Play board games with family. Take a long walk outside. Read a book. Nap.

Treats trump toys

On June 10, 2011 / Graceful Leadership, Managing / 8 Comments

While visiting my sister a few years ago, Grace landed in the midst of many toys, but choose the treat instead. There's nothing wrong with treats -- but making them nutritious is a smart choice.

Grace eats anything. And I mean anything. I get grossed out thinking about some of the things I’ve seen her devour and enjoy. Her early days on the streets of Puerto Rico produced a scavenger mentality and I’m not sure if she has any taste buds, just an insatiable desire to eat whatever is within sensory range of her nose.

So it might seem silly that I care about what she eats. While I have no idea of whether she enjoys a particular taste over another (though she does seem to be partial to carrots over other vegetables but when it comes to meat or carcass remnants found in the woods, everything seems to be quite tasty to her), I do like to feed her healthy food. Isn’t it true that we are what we eat?

It seems to me that the treats sold on the market are especially lacking in nutrition. I see a lot of dog owners offer ample treats during the day (I’m no different) and a constant stream of unhealthy ingredients adds up.

I recently discovered a very cool company called The Organic Hound, based right in my neck of the woods in southwest New Hampshire. Some companies make treats that claim to be healthy or natural. The Organic Hound is different.

Every ingredient they use is 100% organic certified and is sourced from as many local, organically certified farms and producers as possible. Yesterday, New Hampshire Department of Agriculture conducted a site visit and audit as the next step towards becoming certified for their baking processes. They won’t know the outcome for a few weeks, but they are well on their way to certification, but more importantly is a clear sign of how important they view a healthy snack. This is serious business.

It might seem like a little snack isn’t that big of a deal. But have you ever seen how a kid behaves after having two sugar donuts for breakfast? Or experienced how you felt after eating too much junk food? Behavior is affected by our nutrition and we can’t ignore the connection.

Mind you, I love my Almond Joy flavored ice cream, chock full of heavy cream, sugar, chocolate bits, rich coconut and nuts. It’s rich in flavor, calories, and unhealthy ingredients. And I will never give it up. But I’m not going to be at my best if I eat it every day, multiple times a day.

And the same is true with all of us – humans and canines. I believe this topic is more than just about the food and snacks we eat. It’s about choices we make – conscious choices every day about how we can be our best. Grace will eat anything, but should she?
So I respect the efforts and hard work by any company that goes above and beyond to provide a healthy product. I have no financial connection with The Organic Hound, just an interest to promote options for healthy lifestyle choices.

It’s something we can all benefit from. Check it out!