Guest Blogger: LoneStart Wellness

Getting a Jump on 2009 With LoneStart

New Year. New Challenges. New Opportunities.
We'll soon put 2008 behind us - and begin 2009 with high expectations and renewed enthusiasm for what we can accomplish in the coming year.

We all start the New Year optimistic that "this will be the year." It's why we make resolutions - to lose weight, to quit smoking, to save more, to be more responsible, to plan for the future, to do those things we know are the right things to do.

LoneStart too has plans for 2009. We're in business just as you are, and we understand that in mid-November there's a real tendency to put off any new projects until the New Year. (That's why January is one of our busiest months.) We also know that for some programs and some projects timing is everything and that now is the right time to lay the groundwork for an employee wellness initiative.

If one of your objectives for 2009 is to trim your organization's financial waistline, you know that one path to that goal is to get your employees to trim their waistlines, and as the New Year approaches, the timing couldn't be better. As a recipient of our monthly e-newsletter, "Wellness in the Workplace," you've read plenty of articles about the multiple benefits, in addition to a solid R.O.I., that accrue when you initiate a positive, open-ended wellness strategy, (especially a proven, cost-effective, turnkey strategy such as ours).

Here's why now is the time to get ready to launch the LoneStart Wellness Team Esteem Challenge in January:

• January is a proven time to psychologically support your employees' readiness to make health a lasting and achievable resolution for the New Year.
• It takes about a month before the "Start Presentation" to build interest. We provide posters, flyers, envelope stuffers and prepared press releases - all customized with your logo and contact information. We'll also work with the Facilitator or your Wellness Team to establish the details for the Team Esteem Wellness Challenge incentives.
• We want your chosen facilitator to have time to become familiar with the LoneStart Strategy, and to this end we provide a comprehensive Facilitator Training Handbook on CD-ROM as well as unlimited phone and email support.

Getting Started

We'll hold one or more "Start Meetings" to get your 63-Day Team Esteem Challenge underway. These meetings are informative, positive and fun. Our goal is to maximize enthusiasm for and participation in your wellness initiative. Once we have you up and running, we'll provide 9 weekly Participant Bulletins containing helpful tips, information on nutrition, ways to get active, success stories and weekly recipes (additional recipes are available on our website). Your facilitator will have unlimited access to information and support throughout the initiative. In fact, once you become a LoneStart client, you will continue to be supported with periodic bulletins, posters and flyers to keep you working toward your new, sustainable Culture of Wellness. This support is provided free of charge.

Teamwork

If this is your first wellness initiative or if you have tried other strategies, have under-performing programs already in place or have underutilized wellness facilities, we will use what we know about affecting behavior change to jumpstart your employee wellness efforts. We apply established principles of behavioral science to challenge, support and motivate your employees to make modest but meaningful improvements in their lifestyle choices. Central to this strategy is teamwork. We know that identity with a team improves and sustains high performance and yields organizational benefits including improved morale, communication and a sense of mission.

Breaking Through

LoneStart is out to make 2009 the "breakthrough" year when we all work toward creating a new and sustainable culture of wellness. When you show your employees that you value them by offering a positive, proactive wellness initiative, you'll find that multiple benefits begin to accrue to your organization. Wellness, like some illness, is contagious. When your employees prove to themselves that they can successfully take charge of their health, they tend to "spread" this new culture of wellness throughout the organization and beyond, to family, friends and into the community. We call this Viral Wellness and it's something you'll want to catch.

Not Sold Yet?

If you're not sold yet, contact us below at information@lonestartnow.com, or 512-894-3440 for more information on how we can help your organization start 2009 with a new culture of wellness - and start saving on health care related expenses. We'll be glad to prepare a full proposal outlining LoneStart program costs, features and implementation details (and we can talk with you about ways some of our clients have defrayed the upfront expense that quickly becomes an investment in wellness).

LoneStart Wellness Initiative
________________________________________
email: information@lonestartnow.com
phone: 512.894.3440
web: http://www.lonestartnow.com
LoneStart | P.O. Box 1188 | Dripping Springs | TX | 78620

Today It's Personal

Last night I found out for the second time in two years that a friend of mine has died of a sudden heart attack. Both were men under the age of 45, so if you think you have LOTS of time to worry about that later, you may very well be wrong. My friends were happy, gregarious men who happened to be pretty sedentary, overweight, and smokers. I must assume this is why they are gone from us so young.

If you have someone in your life who is in danger, don't be afraid to talk to them about it. If YOU are in danger, it's time to DO something about it. Please, do it for the people around you if you won't do it for yourself.

For more information on heart health, visit the American Heart Association's website at http://www.americanheart.org. Give the gift of life - YOURS!

We Are Launching a Durable Medical Equipment Loaner Program!!

See Our New Info Page

Bridges to Wellness is asking for each of you to check your attics, closets, and garages for any crutches, braces, wheelchairs, or other reusable medical equipment that you no longer need. We are looking for clean donations in good condition for a program we are starting in 2009. Bridges to Wellness will be providing this equipment at very low or no cost to those in need.

Check grandma’s attic or barn. Ask your friends and relatives! We need portable commodes, wheel chairs, braces, hospital beds, shower benches, or any reusable medical equipment you would like to donate. Be sure to keep us in mind when you are doing any holiday cleaning!

Bridges to Wellness is funded by a three year federal grant. We are working to promote the health and well being of all persons through local collaborative community efforts. We are here to help increase access to care and to increase the quality and viability of rural health care.

Bridges to Wellness is located in the Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Annex and our phone number is (479) 549-2639. Melanie Lowery Brakeville is the Director, Joyce Lynch is the Member Services Coordinator, and Tammy Weeks is the Administrative Assistant. For more information, call or visit us online at www.ssbtw.com.

Free Flu Shots a Huge Success

Friday, November 7, 2008 at St. Francis Clinic in Siloam Springs, AR, people lined up for their free flu shots. Actually - they stepped right up to get their shots with very little waiting, thanks to the wonderful volunteer turnout!
There were over 800 adults and 70 or more children that hopefully, because of a few minutes on Friday, will not get the flu this year. This event was sponsored by the Benton County Health Unit, St. Francis Clinic in Siloam Springs, and Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital. It was an all day event and extremely well attended, as you can tell by the numbers.
Volunteers from area businesses came out in full force to assist the BCHU nurses and staff with this event. The BCHU nurses were extremely grateful for all the volunteers. A special “Thanks” goes out to all who helped. Your time spent at the clinic helped to assure all who wanted a flu shot were able to receive one, without much wait!
Another special “Thanks” goes to Randy Torres and AVEST Bank for providing the volunteers with lunch! It was a real treat to have pizza delivered to us at the clinic. The volunteers took a few minutes to eat, and then went right back to the job at hand. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ARVEST!!!!
There were people in line from 7:00 a.m., until the event ended at 5:00 p.m. While there was a little lull at noon, the rest of the day was fairly steady. Everyone seemed to be extremely grateful for the opportunity to receive a free shot without having to travel to Bentonville.
It will not be long before the Benton County Health Unit has a permanent home in Siloam Springs again. Preparations are being made to ready their new building at the corner of University and Mt. Olive for their opening. We will be glad to have them back here in Siloam Springs to assist the western part of Benton County with all the services they provide.
Until Next Time, Stay Healthy!
Joyce

"Biggest Loser" should be "All Winners"

Well, Carlos & Jan Treat & Stacy Avery's Biggest Loser program was a GREAT success in Siloam Springs. So much so that they are willing to do it again! It starts November 4, and is from 5:45 to 6:15 pm at the Senior Activity Center. Our group, this time lost over 500 lbs. Now, if that isn't "Winning" then I don't know what is! Everyone who completed the program is feeling a bit lighter now. Clothes are starting to sag a little in places we didn't used to notice! Which for someone who is overweight, that is an amazing feeling. I am going to do another round with them. It is great to have to be accountable each week without criticism. And to go to a meeting and get the support and suggestions you might need to stay on track is an invaluable resource! Also, the web support is great, especially if you are rushed one week and can't stay for the entire meeting.
Consider coming to join us for the next 10 weeks. You know that will get us through the holidays. Even if we can just hold our current weight, and not gain the normal 3-5 lbs. holiday weight gain, we will be ahead of the game. This session will only cost $25, with $21 of that going to the "Biggest Loser" pot.
Holidays are a busy time, but we should all take a little time for ourselves and stay on track with our own healthcare and wellness.
Stay Healthy!
Joyce

Speaking of Flu Shots...

News Release
For Immediate Release
September 23, 2008

Benton County Providing Flu Shots on November 7, 2008
County Testing Mass Dispensing Plan

Flu season is near, and it’s also time to get your flu shot. On November 7, 2008, the Benton County Health Unit in coordination with the St. Francis Clinic in Siloam Spring and Siloam Springs Bridges to Wellness will be exercising its local Mass Vaccination Dispensing Plan by providing flu shots at the St. Francis Clinic, 304 S. Maxwell, Siloam Springs from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The purpose of the clinic is to provide flu vaccination to County citizens and also to exercise the county’s mass dispensing plan. Dr. John Huskins, Benton County Health Officer, said, “The time to practice dispensing large amounts of medication is now, before we have a disaster. It’s important for Benton County citizens to get their flu shot to protect them from influenza this year. It’s also important to exercise our County Mass Dispensing Plan.”

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) reports that there is an ample supply of flu vaccine this year. This County effort is part of 81 health units statewide that are participating in one-day mass flu vaccination clinics.

Participants are advised to bring their Medicaid, Medicare and /or state insurance card. There will be no charge to those that do not have coverage and are unable to pay.

A Parent, Grandparent or legal guardian must accompany all children. No exceptions will be made.

After the day of the Mass Dispensing Plan exercise, a cost of $20.00 per shot will be observed at the Benton County Health Unit for those not enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid, the Vaccines for Children Program or selected state insurance programs.

For additional information you may contact the Benton County Health Unit 479-271-1055 or St. Francis Clinic 479-524-9550.

Get Your Flu Shot!

I woke up Saturday morning with yet another reminder of why I don’t like cold weather; a very scratchy throat and a stuffy nose! But it could be worse. Last year was the first year in at least the last ten that I did not get a flu shot, and you guessed it, I got the flu. It was in February, and I was sooo sick. Missed a whole week of work and didn’t get to enjoy a single minute of my days off! That’s just wrong.

So I have already had my flu shot this year. Have you? If not, I urge you to do so. A lot of employers offer them for their employees and families, either free or at a reduced charge, so check with the HR Dept. where you work.

And also, the St. Francis Clinic in Siloam Springs is offering free flu shots on Friday, November 7, on a first-come, first-serve basis, starting at 8:00 am.

So don’t be a baby, flu shots don’t hurt at all and they may certainly save you some pain and suffering later on!

Stay well!
Tammy