Fitcorp Hosts Seminar for Boston’s Corporate Community on the Economic Benefits of Fitness and Wellness Programs

Last Friday, November 6, 2009 Fitcorp conducted a seminar for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce on the economic benefits of corporate fitness and wellness programs. Over the past 12 months the economic climate has made companies think long and hard about wellness initiatives. What has been interesting to us at Fitcorp is that for the most part, after careful consideration, our clients have opted to continue with the wellness and fitness benefits they provide their employees through Fitcorp. They determined that the up-side far outweighed the financial burdens. It is a proven fact that many of the health problems that are driving up health care costs can be avoided through diet, exercise and other preventive health measures. By promoting exercise, nutrition, smoking cessation and other health promotion programs we can improve the quality of one’s life and dramatically reduce healthcare costs. With the increase of healthcare initiatives in discussion in our legislature, this was a hot topic that we knew would be an interesting topic for many companies.
The seminar consisted of a panel discussion led by Mike Parent, Fitcorp’s Senior Vice President. The panelists were James Blue, President and CEO of The Bostonian Group, Helen Durkin, Director of Government Relations for the International Health, Racquet Assoication, and Tina Wiskow, Sr. Benefits Project Manager, John Hancock Financial Services.

Mr. Blue discussed how companies have seen their health insurance premiums increase by over 80% since 2000. Much of these costs are attributed to illnesses that are preventable. Clearly, there is a need for employers to help their employees establish healthy lifestyles. What money that is invested in preventative healthcare and wellness is paid back exponentially.

Ms. Wiskow described the types of health promotion programs that the John Hancock Financial Services has implemented over the past 10 years. Subsidized health club memberships, health risk appraisals, walking clubs and weight loss programs have been implemented. The result has been a win/win situation for the employee and John Hancock. As a healthier workforce has had a positive impact on the company’s bottom line resulting in lower health care costs, improved productivity, fewer medical claims and reduce absenteeism.

Finally, Ms. Durkin discussed two of the legislative bills that have been proposed on the federal level. The first is the Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act. Under current law, employers and employees may be discouraged from offering or using a health benefit of membership to a health club. That's because while employees are not taxed for the benefit of using an in-house workout facility, they are forced to report the benefit of a membership to an off-site fitness facility as additional income. This forces employers to deal with more IRS paperwork and increases employees' taxes for using their benefits. This act would resolve this tax inequity.

The second bill proposed in Washington is the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, which will significantly reduce physical fitness costs for the American public, giving them a greater incentive to join a fitness facility or purchase exercise equipment. This will help individual fitness facilities by making fitness facility memberships even more affordable.

The discussion was lively and gave us all pause to consider the real benefits we provide our employees when we bring wellness and fitness into our workplaces

Fitcorp has been helping Boston’s Business Community reduce their health care costs for over 30 years. For more information on how we can help your company call Mike Parent at 617 375-5600 x114.

Four Reasons You’re Not Losing Fat

Effective Fat Loss Programs:Dr Berardi’s Precision Nutrition System Dr Walsh’s Fat Is Not Your Fault Program
Fat loss can be a complicated subject to teach, because there are so many possible limiting factors in a person’s ability to lose fat.

• There’s the exercise part – which plays a huge role.
• There’s the diet part – another major player.
• There’s the psychology – which is a stumbling block for many recreational exercisers.
• And there’s the social part – which many believe plays a massive, but under appreciated role.

But what happens if you’ve got the diet and the exercise part down pat; if your social support is great; your psychology on track… and you still can’t lose fat?
Well, that’s when you’ve gotta dig deeper physiologically. That’s when you have to look to the 4 major physiological systems that could be holding you back. These include:
1. Your oxygen delivery system
2. Your blood sugar management system
3. Your adrenal system
4. Your digestive system
Now, I want to be real honest here. 85% of those folks who follow Precision Nutrition, those folks who nail down the exercise, diet, psych, and social parts of the fat loss equation, do very well. Under normal physiological situations, the body has no problem giving up the fat, as long as the basics – discussed above – are covered.
However, there’s always that other 15%: folks who seem to be doing everything else right but still can’t lose fat. What’s up with them?
Well, assuming they really are on track, they’re likely experiencing abnormal physiological situations where fat loss is quite difficult because the body isn’t functioning as it should.
It’s kind of like planting a garden. Sunshine and water are requirements for a garden to grow, just like diet and exercise are necessary for fat loss. But even with all the sunshine and water in the world, your garden won’t grow if the soil is unhealthy.
In other words, you can diet and exercise all you want, you can develop a strong social support circle, and you can get your head screwed on right. But if your body — your soil — is not working properly, neither will your weight loss program.
So let’s dig a little deeper and discuss the big 4 physiological situations that might be preventing you from losing fat.

• Fat Loss Barrier #1: The oxygen delivery system

The cells of your body run primarily on two things: oxygen and glucose. If either one of these is deficient in any way, hundreds of trillions of cells in your body will not work correctly.

• Oxygen -- The cells of your body produce something called ATP or, adenosine triphosphate. ATP is the basic energy source for your body and allows each cell of your body to do what it does. Without ATP, nothing works correctly. In fact reduced ATP production is one of the hallmarks of the aging process.
  

While there are many nutrients that help with the production of ATP, one of the most fundamental components is oxygen. If your cells are not receiving adequate amounts of oxygen, nothing in your body will work correctly… including weight loss.

In conventional medicine, a decrease in the ability to deliver oxygen to cells is often called anemia, a condition referring to a quantitative and/or qualitative deficiency in red blood cells’ ability to deliver oxygen to the tissues and organs of the body.
While a full discussion on anemia and your body’s inability to deliver oxygen to cells is too extensive to cover here, you can start by getting your doctor to run standard blood work, which should include RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, iron, ferritin and transferrin.
You can view more about this topic, including an important video on blood chemistries here.

• Fat Loss Barrier #2: The blood sugar management system

Blood sugar balance is the focus of virtually every diet book from The Pritikin Diet to The Atkins Diet. And with good reason: imbalanced blood sugar levels are at the crux of many health issues, including being overweight.
When talking about blood sugar balance, for simplicity’s sake, there are two possibilities:
1. Insulin resistance - chronically elevated blood sugar levels
2. Hypoglycemia - blood sugar fluctuations – sometimes it’s high and sometimes it’s low.
Both of these imbalances result in elevated insulin.

• Insulin resistance -- When someone is insulin resistant, glucose can no longer effectively enter into the cell. Because blood sugar is not adequately entering the cells, it stays in general circulation rather than being stored. As a result, the body produces higher levels of insulin to remove glucose from the blood stream, which causes even greater metabolic dysfunction.
  

• Hypoglycemia -- Individuals with hypoglycemic tendencies will have periods of low blood sugar and therefore surges of insulin, rather than chronically elevated levels. During periods of low blood sugar, adrenaline is often used to elevate blood sugar, causing a sharp rise in glucose and insulin. The table below highlights some of the symptoms associated with each imbalance.
  

• Hypoglycemic tendencies Insulin resistant tendencies
• Feels better after meals Feels tired after meals
• Sugar cravings before meals Sugar cravings after meals
• May have difficulty staying asleep at night May have difficulty getting to sleep at night
  

There are numerous problems with insulin surges. You can read more about them here. Blood sugar imbalances are typically assessed through routine blood work run by your doctor.

• Fat Loss Barrier #3: The adrenal system

The adrenal glands are your body’s primary defense for managing stress.
When the adrenal glands are activated, they produce a number of hormones that help your body deal with both acute and chronic stressors. One such hormone is cortisol.
Cortisol’s primary function is to increase blood sugar levels so your brain, muscles and organs have enough fuel to get you through a stressful situation. Problems occur when stress becomes chronic.

Chronically elevated cortisol levels increase blood sugar levels, which then elevate insulin levels. This, among other things, will stop you from burning fat no matter what exercise or diet program you follow.
There are many chronic stressors in today’s society including mental/emotional stress, food sensitivities, blood sugar imbalances, infections (i.e. parasitic, bacterial), excessive exercise… basically anything that is a perceived stress on the body.
The most effective way of assessing adrenal gland function is the Adrenal Salivary Test. This test uses four salivary samples throughout the day and assesses levels of salivary cortisol and DHEA.
Most integrated and holistic doctors run this test and you can learn more about it, as well as a more thorough discussion on adrenal physiology here.

• Fat Loss Barrier #4: The gastrointestinal system

A properly functioning gastrointestinal system is critical for overall health and well-being. In fact, we should start treating our gut with care if we are interested in weight loss.
How do you know if you have a dysfunctional digestive system? Any of the following symptoms can indicate gastrointestinal issues:
• gas
• bloating
• burping after meals
• inadequate digestion (feeling like you have a brick in your stomach after you eat)
• undigested food in your stools
• foul smelling stools
• constipation
• diarrhea
• burning in the stomach
• bad breath
• nausea
Additionally, hormonal imbalances, migraines, allergies, eczema, and autoimmune disease all have links to the gastrointestinal system.
A dysfunctional gastrointestinal system can virtually ruin your chances of weight loss. From a compromised immune system, to a stress hormone imbalances, to an altered sex hormones, to blood sugar irregularities — many of these problems start in the gut.
One of the best ways to stop a vicious GI-related cycle is to control inflammation and identify food sensitivities. A strict elimination diet for a period of 3-6 weeks has helped countless people alleviate their gastrointestinal issues. Talk with your doctor for more information or visit this link for the many different ways our gastrointestinal system impacts the rest of our body.
Summary
Despite what you might hear, fat loss is NOT just about diet and exercise. Physiology plays a very important role. And today, our physiologies are more out of whack than ever in human history.
If your diet and exercise program is not working for you, do yourself a favor and tend to your garden. The better your physiology works, the healthier you will be and the better your program will work for you.

About Dr Walsh’s Fat Is Not Your Fault
Dr Walsh’s new program is designed for those folks doing everything right - but are experiencing sub-optimal health and body composition. All because of some underlying physiological problem. Fat Is Not Your Fault provides everything you need to test for - and correct - the most common - but under treated hormonal and foundational health problems. So if you think you might be experiencing “abnormal physiology” - and would like to get to the bottom of it - Fat Is Not Your Fault is definitely for you.
Categories: Advanced Diet and Sports Nutrition Blog, Newsletters, Research Reviews
© 2000 - 2009, Precision Nutrition Inc.

One Step at a Time: The David Wheeler Story

“Before, I would go work out, and when I finished I would feel hungry. That hunger made me scared, and after leaving the gym I’d run down the street and get a burger. Any weight that I had lost at the gym was put back on, and probably more,” said Professor David Wheeler of Suffolk University. Before, Dr. Wheeler weighed 274 lbs.

Before, he had a cholesterol level of 229 mg/dL (too high) and triglyceride level of 242 mg/dL (also too high). Before, he was running a risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Before was just two years ago, in February of 2007, when Dr. Wheeler decided to get serious about his health. His transformation started off slowly, knowing that “a lot of people will come into the gym trying to get it all done in one day. They have a bad experience and end up not coming back,” he said. Dr. Wheeler began tracking his weight with a digital scale. He continued to exercise at Fitcorp, already a member here, going on walks with a digital pedometer clipped to his pants, and eating less “bad” foods.

“Giving up four donuts in the morning wasn’t easy,” said Wheeler, “and it sounds like it wouldn’t be that hard but when you’re used to that routine it is.” And that is why the first ten pounds are the hardest to get rid of. “You feel like you’re going to die,” he said. “You get nervous because sometimes that feeling of light headedness makes you think you need to eat to live, but your body can live on its fat. I could have lasted on my fat for a while at 274 lbs,” he said, laughing.

After the first ten pounds, the next ten, and the next, are easier and easier. Dr. Wheeler started walking further, using Fitcorp’s resources, and eating healthier. “The trainer, Ryan, was phenomenal. He was good at showing me exactly how to use the machines and tell me what I was doing wrong. And Maria is my and my wife’s favorite. She has that personality that makes you want to come back,” he said. Inside the gym, Dr. Wheeler likes to use the stationary bike so he can read screen plays that he’s working on at the same time. And, after injuring his bicep in an accident, the adjustable weight machines have been helpful in building back his strength.

He is also now participating in Fitcorp’s, “Commando Krav Maga,” Israeli self defense class, which he feels is really pushing his endurance, but says yoga is still out of his limits. “I’m almost 70,” Wheeler said, “it’s hard for me to stretch like that.” Outside the gym, Dr. Wheeler has been pushing the distance of his walks. “Once the endorphins get flowing,” he said, “I feel like I can glide along.” In one instance he walked from Beacon Hill over to Brighton and upon returning felt good enough to ride Fitcorp’s stationary bike for a while. Throughout the month of October, Dr. Wheeler recorded that he walked a total of 150 miles.

Now instead of a burger, Dr. Wheeler recommends stopping in at Kinsale Irish Pub for a caesar salad topped with salmon. He also enjoys cereal with Whole Foods orange/banana juice, and has given up meat. Now Dr. Wheeler weighs 219 lbs. Now his cholesterol and triglyceride levels are perfect. “The biggest change is how I feel,” he said, “It’s good for your body and your mind. I’m more prolific in my writing and activities and my thinking has improved. I no longer feel like a sloth.”

He has published a best selling book called, “Journey to the Other Side, Life After Death”, has a sailing license, a pilots license (which he mentions is good until you kill somebody), has traveled the world, has taught in Thailand, and participated in a two week “walk-about” with Aborigines in the Australia outback. “I don’t want to grow old,” he said, “I can’t do much about growing old… but I don’t have to be stodgy.” And so far, he’s not slowing down.

FITCORP ADVICE ON HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT HEALTH CLUB

As the President and CEO of Fitcorp, I have seen thousands of people join our network of fitness centers over the past 30 years. I’m pleased to say that most of these people have had a very pleasurable experience and have succeeded in accomplishing their fitness goals. However, the key to success lies in choosing the right health club, one that fits an individual’s specific fitness needs.
Many people hope that joining a health club will provide them with the motivation to exercise on a regular basis. But all health clubs are not the same. Take a deeper look at what each club offers so you will be joining the club that has the best chance of helping you develop a steady fitness habit. Make sure you include a visit to Fitcorp. For over 30 years, Fitcorp has been a leader in the fitness field, and our experience and professionalism has stood the test of time. Here are the factors you should be looking for before you make your final choice.

• Convenience and Hours of Operation
  I rate convenience as the most important factor that a person must consider when choosing a health club. Your attendance will steadily decline if your health club is not located near your home or place of work. If it takes longer than 10 minutes to walk or drive to your health club, you will not likely attend on a regular basis. What hours and days of the week is the club open? Does it open early enough or stay open late enough to accommodate your anticipated workout schedule?
• Facilities and Services
  Make sure the health club has the kind of equipment and facilities you most want. Do they have enough cardiovascular equipment, strength training machines and free weights? Do they have a functional training area for you to stretch and use a stability ball, foam roller, etc? Do they have group fitness classrooms, a basketball court, squash, racquetball, or handball courts? Do they have a sauna, steam room or whirlpool? Ask about the other services that they might offer. Do they offer massage, physical therapy, nutrition services, acupuncture, etc.?
• Staff
  How friendly are the club’s employees? When you walk in the door, are you greeted with a warm hello from the front desk staff? Do all the Trainers have degrees in Exercise Science? Do they act like knowledgeable fitness professionals? Are they fully familiar with the equipment and able to give you help and direction? Do they display their credentials? Are they wearing name tags? Are the Trainers available to meet with you when you join to show you how to properly us the equipment? Does the club charge extra for this service? If you plan to hire a Personal Trainer, what hours are they available?
• Overcrowding
  Is the club packed with members during the hours when you expect to workout? How difficult will it be for you to find an open piece of cardiovascular equipment or to participate in your favorite group fitness class? Almost all health clubs experience heavy use during January, but there still needs to be room for you.
• Group Fitness Classes
  It’s very important that you review the club’s group fitness schedule if you plan to participate in classes like yoga, Pilates, Zumba or spinning. Does the club offer these classes at times that work for you? How crowded are the classes? How often does the club change it class schedule? How long has the instructor been teaching the class? Does the club charge an extra fee for these classes?
• Cleanliness
  Is the club clean? Check out the locker rooms. How clean are the showers? Are dirty towels lying all over the floor? Is the equipment kept in good repair (check to see how many pieces of equipment have out of order signs on them)? How clean are the exercise mats? Is their dust underneath the exercise equipment?
• Safety
  Are you going to be safe in case you have a medical emergency? Are all of the staff members certified in CPR and First Aid? Does the club have an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator)? How many staff members are certified to use it? Does the club have an emergency plan?
• Members
  Do the members look like the type of people that you would feel comfortable around? Will you feel intimated when you are wearing your gym clothing? Ask a staff person how long the average person remains a member at the club.
• Guests
  Find out what guest privileges you have -- is there a fee for bringing a guest, and are you limited to certain hours or numbers of guests?
• Cost
  Purchasing a health club membership can be confusing. Be sure you understand the basics:

1. Joining fees
2. Are you buying a month to month or a contract membership?
3. If it is a contract, how long is its duration?
4. How it will be billed, and whether it automatically renews if not actively stopped
5. Can you put your membership on freeze? If so, for how long? Is there a fee for this service?
6. Are there extra fees for classes, personal training, child care, and parking?
7. Can the membership be used at other locations?
8. Are there any time limits on using any bonus items such as personal training sessions?
9. Will the fees go up after an initial discount period?
10. Are the fees refundable if you decide to terminate the contract?
11. Do they offer corporate or health insurance discounts or discounts for family members? Can you receive any membership credit for referring friends?
    

• Trial Memberships
  The best way to test out a health club is to try it out for free. Any good and reputable health club should be more than willing to let you try them out for free!
  

Fitcorp Fitness Centers by far exceed all the expectations you may be looking for in a health club. Over the years, Fitcorp has continued to provide the ultimate in cleanliness, safety, convenience, customer service and state of the art programs and equipment. For over 30 years, the Fitcorp staff has continued its professional excellence. They are carefully selected from the most outstanding in Boston, and they come with the credentials that will ensure your safety and success in reaching your fitness goals.

Deciding what health club to join is a little like deciding where you want to live. Ultimately, you want to be in a clean, safe, convenient location, surrounded by pleasant people and a professional, knowledgeable and accessible staff. When you walk into any of our fitness centers, ask any Fitcorp member, and they will tell you that you are in the right place.

So do your research before joining a health club. It may mean the difference between a great experience at a Fitcorp Fitness Center and a disastrous one elsewhere!

Take to the Mat Like a Pro with Power Vinyasa Yoga

In the past few years, Yoga has become a staple class offered at gyms everywhere. A standard, yet complex stretch routine centered around breathing practices, yoga is a relaxing but challenging way to get in a solid work out. In fact, everyone is jumping at the opportunity to get in on the Yoga craze. However, not many can say that they have had the opportunity to experience what Fitcorp Cross Point yoga instructor Darlene Pina calls, "the body's nature rhythm."

What Pina is referring to is Vinyasa Yoga, or a form of yoga that concentrates on your body's fluid flow through poses. It also doubles as a great muscular and cardiovascular endurance work out. It is something completely different and anyone at any fitness level can benefit from it. The class combines core strength, flexibility, balance and a meditative aspect that you reap the benefits of when you have finished the class. It is an intense hour of power class but once that hour has passed, you will feel relaxed but yet had a great workout from the inside out.


Offered Tuesday and Thursday nights at 5:30pm at Fitcorp's Cross Point location, Power Vinyasa Yoga is quickly becoming one of the gym's most popular classes. The class is designed to help each individual seek stillness of the mind so that the inner body can heal and strengthen. When you focus on your inner body, the outer body will naturally shine. Even though you are focusing on the inner you, make sure the outer you is ready to feel the burn!

"The room is mildly heated, so be prepared to sweat!" Pina says. "But don't worry, the first class is the hardest because you are there to learn what your body can and can’t do at that present moment."

Despite the challenge, most members who take this class once become permanent members.

Says a member of the class, "It is a very rigorous workout and for someone who has not taken yoga before or may have a biased opinion of a yoga class. They will be very pleasantly surprised and hooked after their first class experience. You will also see where the word “power” comes in to play and why it is called “power yoga”. Darlene is a great instructor and even if it is your first time she will make you feel right at home. All you have to do to prepare for her class is to show up, find a space and take it at your own pace."

Pina explains, "The best part of the class is not doing everything perfect but to just explore the possibilities of strength, endurance and inner peace. You will leave the class feeling toned, stretched and completely free in spirit. Namaste and see you on the mat!"