“Work-life balance” is a popular term in the business world. But Gregory Florez has been redefining the concept in recent months.
“It’s really more about work-life integration,” said Florez, whose First Fitness Inc. company is carving out a formidable niche providing fitness and wellness advice to corporations. “We can’t shorten people’s hours. What we do is encourage people to make what we call `simple changes’ in their daily lives.”
First Fitness is based in Salt Lake City, so Florez has been surrounded by the Winter Olympics this month. Nonetheless, his company is part of an even more visible story line. The company provides its FitAdvisor program to more than 1,000 employees at Andersen, the beleaguered public accounting firm.
The e-mail box has been filled.
“We have heard from more than few people saying, `This program helps keep me going,'” Florez said. “Our employees who use FitAdvisor have lost weight, improved their quality of sleep and, more importantly, are handling stress better,” said Philip Davis, an Andersen partner based in St. Charles.
Don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Being able to sleep at night is a telling barometer of how we handle work or life stress. It also helps you gauge the more subtle yet important ability to feel you have “voice.” It’s hard to feel rested if you don’t feel heard.
There are many ways to find strength to endure crises or difficult times. Believing in yourself seems to be the common denominator. When First Fitness helps Andersen employees lose 30 pounds, reduce stress or still feel connected to their families, the boost in self-esteem follows. Andersen workers appreciate their employer providing this unique and personal benefit.
“[Working for Andersen] is such a difficult lifestyle,” Florez said.
“Expectations are high. These are bright people working in a driven culture. They work exceedingly long hours [14- to 16-hour days] during cycles of the year.”
Florez and co-leader Richard Cotton, a respected physiologist who joined First Fitness from the American Council on Exercise, have developed a program that incorporates online communication plus telephone or in-person coaching. Every participating employee gets at least one customized message each week.
The process starts with a five-minute online registration questionnaire to determine health risks and lifestyle behaviors. The confidential answers make it possible for First Fitness staffers to provide targeted fitness and wellness plans by phone or onsite with individual employees. This personal meeting is designed to last 20 minutes and provide specific changes the employee can make. Key discussion points include asking, “What holds you back?” and having the employee fill the blank to the sentence, “I would be happier if….”
“The simple changes are based on the person,” Florez said. “We might address getting enough rest, finding ways to relax, nutrition, physical activity or whatever fits,” Florez said. “Then it’s our job to support the employees and be their conscience.”
Some examples: Workers might learn a relaxation ritual for bedtime, draw up a list of healthy snacks for the work week (baby carrots, the best energy bars, crackers and cheese, hummus spread) or commit to drink two water bottles each day (one kept at the office, the other in a commuter bag or briefcase).
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Rather than follow-up phone calls that might seem like the “food or exercise police” are checking on you, Florez said, his company sends out weekly e-mails tailored to each person’s goals. Weight loss is the most common goal.
“People find these e-mails the most appealing part of the program,” Florez said. “They joke about us `hassling’ them about goals, but many people tell us this has really worked to keep them on track.”
One reason is Florez and Cotton realize “70 percent of us get derailed” from our fitness and wellness goals. They see their jobs as gently nudging people in the right direction.
Other corporate clients include Schwinn, United Health Group and two branches of the American Bankers Association. Participating employees can reach First Fitness by e-mail (and telephone when necessary) for any questions or further consultation.
The First Fitness work is challenging and never dull, given “off-the-chart stress responses” from clients after Sept. 11 and other recent events.
“Our message [to Andersen employees and others] is do one good thing for yourself today,” Florez said. “With everything you can’t control, this is chance to do something for yourself and regain some control.”