Employers help with fitness resolutions

GREEN BAY - New Year's resolutions will have more people looking to get into shape, but they may need help to keep it going.

Expect an explosion of those flexing their muscles at area gyms and fitness clubs in the coming weeks. The plan to exercise more is America's number one resolution for the New Year.

It's no secret everyone would love to be healthy and fit.

"It's our favorite time of year and most busy, so next week it gets packed in here for people to start resolutions or live healthier," said Brown County YMCA District Executive Amy Schaeuble.

Schaeuble says membership remains strong until summer hits when people head outdoors. But individuals trying to work out on their own typical don't make it that long.

So more and more individual businesses and companies are helping to motivate their employees to keep working out.

"Studies have shown that healthier employees report less sick time are more productive and the biggest thing is they're happier," said Regan Kust, a physical trainer at Aurora BayCare Medical Center.

At Aurora BayCare hospital employees, no matter their line of work, are encouraged with incentives and onsite workout facilities to get fit.

An afternoon yoga class is often filled with employees either getting off the job, or just heading to work. Other fitness and exercise classes are also scheduled around staffing breaks.

"We allow our employees to have fitness time on their schedule," said Kust.

For Kristin Cannon, a pharmacy director, company encouragement has kept here active in exercise for the past three years.

"It's the flexibility of the schedule, flexibility of time, and the trainers they keep you motivated," said Cannon.

Even the YMCA is seeing more companies getting involvement.

"Corporate wellness is a very strong trend right now in the area, Green Bay, which is exciting because I think employers are realizing the potential and impact that it can have on employee wellness for their own business and bottom line," said Schaeuble.

The 2011Health Ranking by United Health Foundation places Wisconsin 13th out of 50 states.

One area of concern though remains overweight residents. Obesity grew nearly 7 percent over the past decade to more than a quarter of the adult population in the state.