MI Employees to Walk Across America
In April, the MI Human Resources staff introduced the Wellness Works Walk Across America program. The results are in, and as a company, we accumulated enough steps to reach San Francisco (that’s 3,315.63 miles!!) … on paper that is.
Employees who participate were outfitted with a pedometer that measured each step taken. A walking log was submitted each weekly, and the group effort was tracked city by city. Milestones included the facts that:
- 118 employees participated in the program and 82 “reached” San Francisco
- The total number of miles walked by all participants was 20, 721 miles
- Walk Across America took place over a 10 week period
- The first place group walked 3744.8 miles.
The Walk Across America Program is an important component of our wellness efforts. Several participants have reported health benefits including:
- Losing weight (some employees lost a few pounds; others lost 14-20+pounds!)
- One employee, who had never run before, started running. He placed 3rd in his division at the Lawrence Sons of Italy Road Race
- One employee's doctor said her blood pressure was much lower
Here’s what our employees said:
- "I thought is great! The positive encouragement and the work put into this program were very much appreciated. The HR staff made the program very exciting"
- "It made working out fun. Seeing everyone laughing and excited about how many steps they did brought a lot of us together"
- "I am now walking more because of this program. I enjoyed the camaraderie and healthy competition"
- "Fun way to interact with peers that is healthy and positive"
All participants received a Healthy Recipe Cookbook comprised of recipes submitted by participants, a certificate of completion and a custom made MI Walking Program T-shirt that will be seen throughout campus on casual Fridays. Walk Across America is but one of the wellness programs enjoyed by MI employees. Plans are currently under way for a group walk between the MI campus and La Casa Inmaculada on Essex Street.
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