By GAIL COLLINS
Special to the Daily Sun
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Common Goal Realty took their name to heart with team-building for health. They revolutionized the office refrigerator with lean meats, sugar snap peas, fruit and protein drinks.
Their energy levels soared and carried over to their personal lives. Lenders don't bring sausage biscuits to meetings anymore because the staff recoils.
"The Pawlickis teach 'clean' eating," said Joe Haughey. "We eat five meals a day. It speeds up our metabolism, and we don't get hungry."
Valerie Caro, co-founder with father Joe, confirmed this. "I've eaten more than ever before in my life and lost weight."
Sarah Pawlicki of Build Your Own Body Gym works with local employers to get a handle on good health to reap radical results. She evaluates businesses to establish needs particular to their workplace.
Does a job require small, repetitive movements? Or are injuries from heavy lifting a concern? Could your team of desk jockeys be at risk due to poor ergonomics? And is absenteeism on the rise?
Other consultants assess companies, but simply hand employers a report and walk away. Pawlicki, a certified Sports Nutrition Counselor and Life Style Fitness Coach, implements the fix. She organizes classes in diet and tobacco cessation, for example, or designs and teaches a workout program to address specific problems.
"Americans should be the healthiest people in the world when you look at how much money is spent, but not enough attention is given to preventative care," said Pawlicki.
She utilizes mind, body and soul and explained, "We're not solely focused on your weight or lifting weights in our gym. The attention is on emotional and physical well-being."
HEALTH COSTS SOAR
Recent talk has centered on rising food and fuel prices, but health insurance premiums have ratcheted up 10 times faster. And while these health costs hiked 30 percent from 2001-2005, salaries grew only 3 percent. The average policy for family coverage now totals $12,106. This makes it tough for employers to offer health care benefits and maintain a healthy bottom line, too.
In a 2007 survey, Kaiser and the Health Research and Education Trust noted a growing awareness in preventative care for controlling these escalating costs.
But how do care and costs affect one another? The obesity epidemic, for example, if left unchecked, seeds a host of other diseases like hypertension, heart disease and Type II Diabetes. These compromise work performance while conversely upping the price tag to treat this medical tornado.
At Armstrong McCall, a beauty supplier, heavy lifting is the issue. Pawlicki designed eating and workout plans that resulted in weight loss and muscle gain to prevent strain injuries. Their workers and workplace got leaner with her passionate support.
Stress is a huge factor in many settings. When employees are under pressure, they might cope with destructive behaviors like smoking, drinking and drugs.
"People run on such high levels of stress that the cortisol never drops, and their bodies run on overtime. All the time!" Pawlicki said. "We teach them how to recognize stress -- mental and physical -- and bring those levels down."
NUTRITION IS KEY
Nutrition is the key to health. Every client is counseled on diet regardless of size or condition to promote immune health and well-balanced eating.
"People know they need to eat right, but they have no clue to how to make it work in their lives," said Pawlicki. "We show them."
Since their assessment, Ciao Bella Salon owners Risha Campbell and Desirea Gutierrez coordinate meals for work. "I'll bring the chicken and she'll bring the salad and rice," said Campbell. "We prepare good food ahead of time, so we don't grab things that are bad for us."
74% of the population doesn't engage in regular physical activity, so coaches create both individualized programs and group activities to get people moving. Clients perform their routines at Build Your Own Body gym or other fitness centers or at home. "It's essential to find something that you enjoy and stay active," Pawlicki said.
Documented in over 120 studies, promoting health for employee well-being increases productivity and lowers costs for a positive return. The results for Common Goal Realty: fewer sick days, high efficiency, focus and discipline for the long haul.
"The investment is small for the large personal return," confirmed Realtor Stephani Allen. "And we're modeling good behavior for our family."
The agency fosters friendly competition aided by watchdog accountability. Their Inspiration Board -- a goal-setting technique -- is plastered with articles, mottos, and of course, dreams like a trip to Mexico to show off their new bodies.
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Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Elden Lookout TrailFor a challenging hike with a fantastic rewarding view of Flagstaff, you can take the 6 mile round trip hike up to the top of Mount Elden via the Elden Lookout Trail. This hike is fairly difficult and will take about 4 to 5 hours.To get here, take Route 66 east out of Flagstaff toward the mall. Continue past the mall where Route 66 becomes Highway 89. Just past the mall and the McDonalds and Safeway that are on the right, you will see signs to the trailhead on the lefft. Park here and set off on the hike. Make sure you look at the map of the hike posted at the trailhead before you head up, because there are a few trails in this area that cross each other and you don't want to get lost. The trail starts as the Fatman's Loop, an easier and very pleasant loop in this area for those not eager to reach the top of the mountain. Halfway around the loop, the Elden Lookout Trail splits from the Fatman's Loop, and starts to zig-zag up the mountain. The trail is steep but the switchbacks make it managable. Be prepared for hot and exposed weather at the top. A fire burned much of the top of Mount Elden in the late 70's, and the remnants of old dead trees are still very visible. Plan for a few minutes at the top to hang out, enjoy the view from 9295 feet, and maybe have a quick snack. Make sure you avoid the top when there are large, dark grey clouds nearby. Being the on the highest point around with large metal towers around you is not a good idea when lightning strikes. Be Safe and Enjoy!
Thanks to Cosmic Ray for the directions and description.
Weatherford Trail - San Francisco PeaksThis hike travels up the side of the San Francisco Peaks and can be as hard or easy as you want to make it. To get to the very top of the peaks (12,633 feet, the highest point in AZ) is about 20 miles and will take all day (10+ hours) but it's an up-and-back hike, so you can turn around at any point, once you'vec had enough. It is a steep but rewarding climb, as the views get more and more spectacular as you climb up the side of these mountains.To get here, take Highway 180 north out of Flagstaff. Turn right on Schultz Pass Road, and continue 5 miles up this road to the trailhead and parking lot, which are at Schultz tank. Park on the right and head off on the hike just across the road. The trail quickly begins to climb, and in a mile and a half you'll reach the Aspen Spring. You can choose to make this hike a short one by turing around here, or continue hiking on the trail to the right. After this point, the trail really starts to climb the mountains. Remember to be safe and reasonable about deciding when to turn around. It's easy to convince yourself to just go a little farther, but every step up the mountain is another step down and you do NOT want to get caught up here after the sun has gone down. So be safe and enjoy this terrific hike!Thanks to Cosmic Ray for the description and directions.
Veit Springs LoopThis is an easy hike on the side of the San Francisco Peaks. It's a two mile round trip and will take about an hour. It will take you past old cabins, springs, and pictographs left by the ancient people who lived here.To get here, take Highway 180 north out of Flagstaff toward the Grand Canyon. Turn right on Snow Bowl Road, and continue up for four and a half miles until you see the trailhead on the right as the road curves to the left. Just park here in front of the trail head and start hiking. You will head into the forest and soon come across a wide trail that goes both ways. Turn right, and then just follow the trail. When it splits, take a left on the small foot trail, then left again at the next split. This will bring you to the cabins, and you can continue past them to the springs and pictographs. On your way back, you can go the other way at the splits to see a nice view on the return trip.Props to Cosmic Ray for this route and description
