Center for Healthy Living introducing new, virtual education program ‘HealthKick’ on March 2

The new HealthKick virtual education program supports the Healthy Boiler Program and its physical health pillar. (Image provided)

The Center for Healthy Living (CHL) on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus is implementing a six-week “HealthKick” virtual education program, which addresses physical activity, nutrition education, creating healthy habits and decreasing stress with the goal of forming long-term behaviors. The program is available to all benefits-eligible employees on the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Northwest (Hammond and Westville) campuses. Week one begins March 2. 

The program is based on daily videos (approximately five minutes in length), delivered via text or email (based on preference), Monday through Friday for the program’s six-week time period. Additionally, the program has four built-in, one-on-one health coaching sessions, which are established at the beginning of the program.

Participants are required to complete a survey at the end of each week that will help provide insight into their health journey. Health coaches receive the weekly surveys and reach out personally every week to offer support and encouragement; health coaches also will be available for in-person or telephonic health coaching appointments as needed.

“Feedback from employees has asked for more virtual and telephonic program options,” says Candace Shaffer, senior director of benefits in Human Resources. “HealthKick is one way we can begin to fulfill those requests while also supporting the Healthy Boiler Program and its physical health pillar, which champions health education and more to help individuals achieve lasting physical health and well-being. We look forward to seeing how the program is received across the Purdue community.”

The six-week program runs from March 2 through April 17, and follows the outline below:

• Before the start of the program, participants will meet one-on-one with a health coach — either in-person or via telephone. Those who meet in person have the option to establish their initial labs and InBody assessment at CHL.
• Week 1 (March 2-6)
  Topic: Movement and Water, videos 1-5 sent daily; survey 1 sent Friday; personal health coach email/text sent 48 hours following completion.
• Week 2 (March 9-13)
  Topic: Nutrition Label, videos 6-10 sent daily; survey 2 sent Friday; personal health coach email sent 48 hours following completion.
• Week 3 (March 23-27)
  Topic: All About Fats, videos 11-15 sent daily; survey 3 sent Friday; personal health coach email/text sent 48 hours following completion.
• Week 4 (March 30-April 3)
  Topic: All About Carbohydrates, videos 16-20 sent daily; survey 4 sent Friday; follow-up one-on-one meeting with health coach (in-person or telephonic).
• Week 5 (April 6-10)
  Topic: All About Protein, videos 21-25 sent daily; survey 5 sent Friday; personal health coach email sent 48 hours following completion.
• Week 6 (April 13-17)
  Topic: Creating Habits to Last, videos 26-30 sent daily; survey 6 sent Friday; personal health coach email sent 48 hours following completion; follow-up one-one-one meeting with health coach (in-person or telephonic)
  

Those interested in participating in the HealthKick program should sign up via the Healthy Boiler Portal. Registration link can be found under the “Engage” tab, “Wellness Events” on the portal’s homepage.

Healthy Boiler workshops are free to all benefits-eligible faculty and staff and dependents covered on a Purdue medical plan. Any questions about “HealthKick” can be directed to the Center for Healthy Living at 765-494-0111.