Employers getting on board with wellness

In Alabama, "Health professionals believe the battle against Alabama’s obesity crisis and overall poor health, can best be fought within the workplace through company-sponsored wellness incentive programs."

The county government offered its employees an incentive for losing 10 pounds in 10 weeks, "paid time off from work for employees who could achieve weight loss."

Other incentives in other organizations included health premium discounts and tickets to ball games and fitness devices.

Increasing physical activity through activities like Nordic walking contributes to overall wellness.

Nordic walking potential for artificial hips

A young person who got a hip replacement at age 39 wrote about the experience and the development of artificial hips.

Main point: "…the materials in artificial hips have improved enough that doctors are now confident putting them in younger patients."

The scale of the operation: "In 2014—the most recent year for which data is available—370,770 people in the United States got a new hip. That number is increasing steadily: According to one recent study, by the year 2030, an estimated 635,000 people will receive a new artificial hip every year in the U.S."

Problems the researchers are still working on: "Today, one of the biggest problems with artificial hips is that they’re easier to dislocate than natural ones. Another is infection—a human-made hip has no blood flow, so bacteria can accumulate on it."

Since Nordic walking enhances the low impact nature of walking, those with artificial joints will benefit from a greater level of activity.

Nordic walking meetup in Tuscaloosa County (Sokol Park) on 4/20

Join us on Saturday to find out what Nordic walking is all about! No charge; poles provided. Look for the white Nordic walking sign.

• When: 9:00 AM, April 20
• Where: Sokol Park. 5901 Watermelon Rd. Northport, AL 35473

We'll also connect people together to form walking groups so you can walk on your own with old and new friends.

Instructor: Leroy Hurt, ANWA-certified Advanced Nordic Walking instructor

Why Nordic walking?

• Full body, low impact
• Increase weight loss
• Improve cholesterol
• Improve blood pressure
• Facilitate rehabilitation
• Maintain stability and balance
• Maintain posture
• Facilitate stress relief
• Support muscle toning
• Improve cardiovascular function
• Improve lung capacity
• Support immune system
• Socialize with walking companions
• You determine the intensity of your workout

Click here for a full schedule of group gatherings.

Learn more about Nordic walking at my Nordic Walking Guy blog and Nordic Walking Guy Facebook page.