SIX-PACK ABS, SIX-FIGURE INCOME

“Fitness Expert” calls it like it is: get fit and earn more!

Did you know that your level of income directly affects your health and vice versa? The studies are released and the results are astounding.

One study by Jay L. Zagorsky, an economist at Ohio State University, and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth revealed that for every one-point increase in BMI (Body Mass Index), net worth dropped by $1000. The results also showed that the typical middle aged woman earned $313.70 less per year for every one-point increase in BMI, and the typical male earned $161.30 less for every one-point increase. That’s huge! So if losing those extra pounds may mean a bigger paycheck, why are there over 119 million Americans (that’s 64% of the nation’s population!) overweight or obese?

Although many health, diet and fitness programs do provide beneficial fitness regimes and offer healthy nutritional choices, many leave out the most important part to maintaining results long-term. That’s where fitness expert and author Glenn Hattem shares the perfect solution. The strategy: total and complete individual responsibility. He maintains that the best and truest source of hope for reversing this obesity epidemic is not in the current methods, which just don’t work. Instead, Hattem offers a way to create a new belief in terms of fitness, weight-loss, and income by simply changing the way you think so that your new behavioral changes will last a lifetime. (more…)

Good Ergonomics in the Workplace

Don’t Just Sit There… Evolve!

Nick McElhiney is an expert on ergonomics. Last week, he told me about the importance of good ergonomics in the workplace. Now this is a topic that I can completely relate to, as in my line of work, proper form (including proper body alignment) is essential for good output. And, the same goes for your work environment. With the increasing number of hours people spend these days in front of their computer, it makes total sense why good ergonomics can make all the difference in how happy and productive each day can be.

During challenging economic times, businesses typically start looking at how to reduce their operational costs. Nick says, “One smart way that has a proven track record, but is mostly overlooked, is the prevention and reduction of Repetitive Motion Illness (RMI) or Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD). When proper ergonomics are not offered to company employees, businesses can expect to experience the following results:

• Lost time and production. An improper ergonomic environment can mean increased RMIs and CTDs, which translate into time and work lost.
• Low employee morale. This often means an increased workload for other employees, leading to lower morale and decreased production.
• Increased workers’ compensation claims. Employees suffering from RMIs and CTDs ultimately mean your workers’ comp claims will increase. (more…)

Athletes & Allergies: Increasing Problems

This week I visited with Neil Smith of Allergy Solutions in Boulder, Colorado where Neil explained how serious allergies to food and environmental allergens are becoming increasingly more common in our society. They can manifest in many ways that can be detrimental to an athlete’s health and performance. There was a lot that I didn’t know!

Neil said “In the last twenty years, we have seen an epidemic increase in allergies and asthma, including a 400% increase in food allergies and 300% increase in asthma, with a 56% increase in asthma-related deaths” (1) Neil also commented on some of the great resources available online for those of you who are concerned and want to be a little more proactive. (more…)