Center for Healthy Living health coaches encourage employees to walk with them

As spring warms up and the University's annual Spring Fling celebration nears, the Center for Healthy Living's health coaches are out and about, and encourage employees to join them.

According to the Mayo Clinic, something as simple as a daily walk can help individuals achieve a healthier lifestyle. Some benefits include:

* Maintaining a healthy weight.

* Preventing or managing various conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

* Strengthening bones and muscles.

* Improving mood.

* Improving balance and coordination.

Debra Crume-Nagel, RN health coach at the Center for Healthy Living, agrees. For Crume-Nagel, spring is her favorite time of year because it means warmer weather and the opportunity to get outside and start walking.

"It doesn't matter what is going on in my life, a walk makes everything feel better," she says.

As a registered nurse and health coach, Crume-Nagel knows about the benefits of walking for both physical and mental health. She personally experiences those things as well.

"The first thing I notice when I start walking is the improvement in my mood," she says. "Who doesn't feel better under the warm sunshine and blue sky? I actually have time to notice the flowers blooming, the birds flying around and especially around campus the squirrels looking for food. Once I see all the wonderful things going on around me, I feel my body let go of the stresses of the day."

Physically, Crume-Nagel notices as well.

"My heart rate increases, and I think about all the great things walking does for my body," she says. "It will help me lose the five, or more pounds, I gained over the winter and help my muscles get strong. My bones will stay strong the more I move. My daily walk will also help prevent me from developing heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers."

In order to help employees stay as healthy as possible, the Center for Healthy Living offers walking health coach appointments. Simply put, employees can schedule appointments with one of the health coaches at the center and rather than sitting in a room discussing wellness goals, the appointment takes place during a walk around campus.

"It's a great way for employees to get out and walk while also enjoying the benefits of having a health coach with them," Crume-Nagel says. "We can discuss whatever the employee is interested in in regards to his or her health and wellness goals and challenges while we walk. We're exercising and at the same time the health coaches help the employees create a plan and how to achieve their goals." 

During the upcoming Spring Fling Fitness Walk on May 25, Center for Healthy Living health coaches will be on hand to walk with employees. Those interested in learning more about the benefits of walking can join a health coach to start the walk at 11:30 a.m., noon and 12:30 p.m. Those wishing to walk with a coach will need to register with the center beforehand in order to complete intake forms before joining the group. Call Tammy Ridge at the Center for Healthy Living at 49-45505 for details.

Participants wishing to walk during Spring Fling must also register through the Spring Fling coordinating committee. Register by Friday (May 13) to officially take part in the Spring Fling Fitness Walk.

Outside of the opportunity at Spring Fling, health coaching -- walking appointments as well as office appointments -- is available during normal center hours. Contact the center to schedule an appointment with a health coach by calling 49-40111 or scheduling via the patient portal. Via the portal, employees have the ability to make appointments, communicate with their provider and access their medication history, lab records and more. For added convenience, employees can download the Premise Health app on their mobile device. 

For more information on all services offered, visit the center online.

The center is open 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Lab hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For medical consultation after hours or on weekends, contact the Anthem nurse line at 888-279-5449 for assistance.