From November 2011 through September 2012 I lost 50 pounds, taking my waistline from a size 44 to a size 38. I plateaued in November, but have maintained my new weight thus far. This year my goal means I have 25 pounds to go. I will see a 36 waistline before the year is out! 

I write about this because general health and fitness is so important to our society, as well as the industry we serve. Yet, our discussions involving health always seem to be reactive rather than proactive. It is time for that to change. We need to get ahead of the obesity and poor fitness that are becoming a plague upon employers and their bottom line. But more importantly, we need to do everything we can to improve quality of life – so I am pleased to announce that the year 2013 will be for us the year of Prevention, Health and Wellness. 

Recognizing that fit employees make for a healthy workforce, and a healthy workforce has lower insurance costs, reduced absenteeism and less severe on the job injuries, we have decided to add a health and wellness component to our growing Blogwire service. To that end, we want to kick off the New Year with our own virtual health resolution, and welcome Lynne Strasser, our newest contributing blogger. 

Lynne is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer who possesses both a Masters Degree in Philosophy and a Masters Degree in Humanities, and has extensive business management experience. All of that combines to give her a strong sense of mind/body unity, and how good health and fitness impact business operations and the employers bottom line. Her maiden article on our site, “Don’t be a January“, appears today in the Blogwire.

She will provide articles designed to serve the proactive side of the business; reduced cost and lost time claims through prevention and a healthier workforce. Please join me in welcoming her to our site.

And of course, welcome the year of Prevention, Health and Wellness!