HealthCheck360 in Action

One of the best things about the job we do at HealthCheck360 as Health Coaches, is our personal interaction with people and the relationships our jobs allows us to develop with them.  Our clients come from a multitude of backgrounds and with those varied personal histories, an equally mixed bag of notions when it comes to health and wellness.  Some of our clients come to the program with an already-proactive attitude when it comes to their personal health.  Whether it be yearly doctor visits and follow-ups, vigorous gym routines, or a strict “no fast-food” policy, these clients are already in the know when it comes to their personal health.  On the other spectrum, of course, there are folks who are not necessarily averse to wellness initiatives; they simply haven’t had the prior knowledge, awareness, or opportunities to have that same handle on their health.

Another benefit of our program here at HealthCheck360 is the amount of eye-opening opportunities that are created for both coaches and clients.  More often than not, my coaching clients offer advice of their own or tips they’ve tried regarding fitness, nutrition, quitting smoking or chewing tobacco, and other general-life strategies.  My fellow coaches and I often share the tips we’ve picked up from our clients with each other and pass them on in future calls, too.

It also provides an opportunity for our participants regarding their own health.  As I mentioned, some of our participants are already quite aware of what their biometric test results explain—whether their score be low or high risk.  Other times, the results can make for quite a shock.  But in many cases, this shock can provide an inspirational nudge in the wellness-minded direction.  In our position as coaches, we are lucky enough to speak with individuals about the changes they are undertaking and healthy habits they’ve developed since seeing their results.  We get to bond with our clients, if you will, and get to know them each on varied personal levels.  The best part of our job comes from hearing that we’ve helped shape someone’s life in a positive way and helped them improve their health.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to talk with a client who shared not only her personal awakening but let me in on how her entire company was embracing the program.  Before we’d even had our initial call, to review the results of the biometric test, my client had taken initiative on her own to try and work towards improving the various health indicators that were revealed on her Health Risk Assessment.  As we talked, she told me about the buzz our program was creating around the office.  As each employee received their individual results, eyes were opened, and action—on a number of levels—was taken.  She expressed that while everyone in the office had different goals in mind for themselves, the new awareness of their health had caused a buzz around the office.  From lower blood pressure, increased exercise, smarter snacking, or kicking the nicotine habit, my client described a collective effort and support network spurred on by HealthCheck360.

Employees were meeting to walk laps around the plant at various scheduled time, others were keeping tabs on their friends and co-workers regarding cigarette breaks, some policed each other in the lunch room, checking for healthier options and avoiding fast food.  The program acted as a catalyst for healthy change not just in the individual participants, but in the company as whole.  My client told me that they had overhauled their vending machines to include healthy snacks like trail mix, dried fruit, and multigrain bars.  The pop machines, she said, were still there but quickly becoming dusty from their recent lack of use.  Even her manager, she said, had contacted the different fitness centers in the area to negotiate corporate rates for the employees.

It’s always a treat to hear from a participant about their changes and new attitudes regarding their specific health choices and goal, but very rarely do we get a treat like this.  My co-workers and I were thrilled to hear that we’d impacted not just the workers, but the company’s structure as a whole.  Our program, our calls, and our efforts had aided in creating a network of health-support and awareness.  One thing that I know can be particularly hard is working towards wellness goals in an atmosphere where health just isn’t on the first level of consciousness.  It was exciting to hear that our clients not only had us, their coaches, to follow up with for support and encouragement, but that they now had a whole community of encouragement and enthusiasm.  We spend a lot of time at work and with our co-workers.  Having a foundation of healthful and helpful support in the workplace makes all the difference when working on individual goals and it was wonderful to hear that our young program helped to achieve that for that particular company.

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