Results-Oriented Corporate Wellness

“My stress levels were lowered immediately.”

Michael Green

“Powerful and inspiring.”

David Hodder

“I really appreciate the healthy food, [from the

House Of Verona]. When you get over 40, this stuff becomes so important.”

David Miller Mayor of Toronto

As featured in

What We Do

People know that eating vegetables is good, but in reality, it is difficult to implement. We use tactics that are proven to bring a horse to water and make it drink.

To ensure results, we employ face-to-face contact, within and outside of the office. We also teach nutrition and cell biology to employees, in laymen terms, so that they have a strong foundation on why health is important.

We introduce nutrition and exercise into workplaces, with a focus on real results, such as increasing energy levels, getting people off prescription medication, and

reversing diabetes.

Why is Wellness Important in the Workplace?

1. “There is a Cure for Diabetes,” by Dr Gabriel Cousens MD http://www.amazon.ca/There-Cure-Diabetes-21-Day-Program/dp/1556436912/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257952710&sr=8-1

2. House of Verona study,April 2009; n=100 http://houseofverona.com/about/study/ 3. “Depression-Free for Life,” by Dr Gabriel Cousens MD

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&ved=0CAcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FDepression-Free-Life-Gabriel-Cousens%2Fdp%2F0060959657&ei=Sdb6SomAJJOkMcPZ6M8K&usg=AFQjCNHw8PhQzyaMrJBbs5Lfb0uYKul2RQ&sig2=s56ibmlGCKrRCe-gynmALA

4. Organizational Wellness: A Meta-Analysis. Kizzy M. Parks and Lisa A. Steelman: Florida Institute of Technology. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 2008, Vol. 13, NO. 1, 58-68.

Nutrition + Exercise

ImprovedBrain Function1

More Energy2

Greater ability to focus3

Productivity+ Efficiency

More Output

Lessdepression

Lessdiabetes

Lessheart disease

Lesscancer

LessAbsenteeism4

4. Organizational Wellness: A Meta-Analysis. Kizzy M. Parks and Lisa A. Steelman: Florida Institute of Technology. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 2008, Vol. 13, NO. 1, 58-68.

5. Stambor, Z. (2006, March). Employees: A company’s best asset. Monitor on Psychology, 37, 28-30.

The Journal of Occupational Health Psychology published a major meta-study on corporate wellness examining results of 17 studies reviewing 7,705 people with absenteeism data.

Conclusion: participation in an organizational wellness program was associated with decreased absenteeism (mean effect of -.30 (p<.005)) 4

Why is Wellness Important in the Workplace?

6. Stave, G.M., Muchmore, L., & Gardner, H. (2003). Quantifiable impact of the contract for health and wellness: Health behaviors, health care costs, disability, and workers’ compensation. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 45, 109-117. 7. Organizational Wellness: A Meta-Analysis. Kizzy M. Parks and Lisa A. Steelman: Florida Institute of Technology. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 2008, Vol. 13, NO. 1, 58-68.8. Nutritious food intake: a new competitive advantage for organizations? Jeffery Houghton, Christopher Neck, Kenneth Cooper. International Journal of Workplace Health Management. 2009. VOl 2; Issue 2; Page 161 - 179; ISSN: 1753-8351 http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/17538350910970228

Why is Wellness Important in the Workplace?

Attracts talent

People who value health are more likely to choose

a job offering wellness over one that does not.

(Parks & Steelman, 2008)7

Increases competitive advantage

The International Journal of Workplace Health Management reported that employees eating

nutritious food could provide organizations with a sustained

competitive advantage.8

Saves money

Reduces drug, paramedical & disability costs.

GlaxoSmithKline’s wellness program saved them $5.5

million (Stave, Muchmore & Gardner, 2003)6

Executives Believe in Wellness“There is a direct relationship between wellness and corporate financial performance.” -Keith Briscoe, President, Brisk Marketing

“You have companies like Safeway that have been able to hold their costs flat for their employees at a time when other companies are seeing double-digit inflation in their health care.”-President Obama, 2009

“Since I attended your lecture, I have completely quit smoking … energy levels have been growing daily…who would have though one lecture could impact my life so profoundly.”-Managing Editor at a Major Canadian Magazine

Case Study: Truck DriverBefore

Dave weighed 430 lbs, had arthritis, stage 2 colon cancer, diabetes, and kidney failure.

His Action

Dave switched his diet to eating more raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains

Results

• Within 4 days, he reversed his diabetes

• Within 6 months, he reversed his cancer

• Lost 203 lbs• Abundance of energy• Able to withstand 14-hour driving

shifts without McDonald’s or coffee

• Only takes 2 types of prescription drugs, down from his previous dosage of 20 brands

Watch his story here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XChao-XxUJE&feature=player_embedded

How We’re Different

Other Programs

• Employees have little face-to-face contact with wellness programs• Most work is done done online or through forms and pamphlets• No emphasis is placed actually reversing diseases and unhealthy conditions

The House of Verona Program

• More motivation is done face-to-face • We focus on off-site activities in addition to on-site ones, to minimize time cut into the workday• We know the tactical “how” ways to get employees to stay healthy• We have seen remarkable results, from reversing diabetes to reversing gray hair, and are in a stronger position to understand what truly reverses disease

Some of Our Results

Basic Program: Level 1For all employeesElement Results & Proof

1 - Motivational Lunch & Learn Seminars - QuarterlyAn inspiring speaker comes into the office over lunch to kick-start employees’ motivation to be healthy. Topics: “Foods that Help Burn Fat”, “Reversing Diabetes Through Diet,” “Reducing Cholesterol”

It’s proven that people change lifestyle habits once they understand the scientific knowledge behind their choices (Source: Dr Gabriel Cousens, M.D.(1))

2 - Health inspiration emails – bi-weeklyAn email is sent to employees who opt-in for the service. Examples of topics include:• How to kill junk food cravings• An easy exercise to evict cellulite• Foods that give & rob you of energy

An email with inspiring quotes, success stories, and health motivation is delivered to employees’ inboxes. Extrinsic motivational sources (coaches, interviews, emails, etc) have been shown to improve long-term success rates. Source: American Diabetes Association (9)

3 –Support Groups Offsite - MonthlySimilar to a Weight Watchers meeting, committed employees opt in to receive advice, inspiration, cooking classes, and free healthy meals and juices in a group format.

The #1 reason why people fall off health streaks is due to a lack of support. When people meet with others and see that they are not alone, and learn from others’ motivational strategies, the success rate goes through the roof. Weight Watchers has always had the #1 success rate in the industry because their weekly support meetings are mandatory. (Source: The Globe And Mail, 2006)

Element Results & Proof

5 – Nutritional Consultations• Employees who opt in sit down with a nutritionist to work out an individual health strategy• Employees submit their information to nutrition experts and are provided with coaching and feedback

Once people realize that they are in control of their own health destinies through sound nutritional education, motivation and long-term success is greatly supported. Perceived autonomy was seen as a strong predictor of long-term weight loss in one study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (10)

5 - After-work fitness clubs• Employees who opt-in participate in activities with colleagues, such as dodgeball, volleyball, bowling, rock climbing tutorials, and running groups.

Guided 30-minute workouts that are intense enough to break a sweat produce endorphins and helps in the creation of dopamine and serotonin. Employees flush with these chemicals are more likely to be happy at work, less moody, more positive, and more energetic. Endorphins bind to opioid receptors, with evidence suggesting it has similar effects on the body as opium and morphine, without the negative effects of such drugs. (8)

6 – Team Challenges• Popular office competitions, such as The Biggest Loser, are organized for employees who wish to participate.

Participation and wellness increases substantially when there is group support for a health initiative. The competitive, fun, and camaraderie nature of team challenges yield happier and healthier employees.

Basic Program: Level 2For employees who opt-in and want more help

Level 3: Business Class ProgramTo reward or retain extraordinary employees

• Wii Fit in the office

• Healthy cooking classes offsite

• Health Gift Kits once per quarter (Superfoods, natural skin care, yoga passes, etc)

• Replace chairs with Swiss balls

• More access to top nutritionists

PricingProgram Type: Level 1 Level 2 Business

Class

Motivational Lectures Inspirational Emails Support meetings Corporate Wellness Consulting

Team Challenges After-work Fitness Clubs Nutritional Consultations Wii Fit in the Office Healthy Cooking Classes Healthy Gift Packages Swiss Ball Chairs Price per employee per month

$7.00 $8.00 $56.00Promotion: 1-month complementary trial of first 2 items if booked by April 1, 2009.

Please note that prices are before tax.

Contact

Yafa SakkejhaCorporate Wellness Manageryafa@beneplan.net

House of Veronahttp://houseofverona.com1.800.252.2826Direct line: 416.702.9232

References

1. “There is a Cure for Diabetes,” by Dr Gabriel Cousens MD http://www.amazon.ca/There-Cure-Diabetes-21-Day-Program/dp/1556436912/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257952710&sr=8-1

2. House of Verona study,April 2009; n=100 http://houseofverona.com/about/study/ 3. “Depression-Free for Life,” by Dr Gabriel Cousens MD

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&ved=0CAcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.ca%2FDepression-Free-Life-Gabriel-Cousens%2Fdp%2F0060959657&ei=Sdb6SomAJJOkMcPZ6M8K&usg=AFQjCNHw8PhQzyaMrJBbs5Lfb0uYKul2RQ&sig2=s56ibmlGCKrRCe-gynmALA

4. Organizational Wellness: A Meta-Analysis. Kizzy M. Parks and Lisa A. Steelman: Florida Insitute of Technology. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 2008, Vol. 13, NO. 1, 58-68.

5. http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/health36-eng.htm 6. 884 participants from a police force, chemical, and banking industries in the Netherlands. Lechner, de

Vries, Adriansen & Drabbels 19977. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=564708. Poeaknapo C, Schmidt J, Brandsch M, Dräger B, Zenk MH (September 2004). "

Endogenous formation of morphine in human cells". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101 (39): 14091–6. doi:10.1073/pnas.0405430101. PMID 15383669.

9. Motivational Interviewing Improves Weight Loss in Women With Type 2 Diabetes: Delia Smith West, PHD1, Vicki DiLillo, PHD2, Zoran Bursac, PHD1, Stacy A. Gore, PHD3 and Paul G. Greene, PHD1

10. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/5/1081.abstract 11. Motivational predictors of weight loss and weight-loss maintenance. By Williams, Geoffrey C.; Grow,

Virginia M.; Freedman, Zachary R.; Ryan, Richard M.; Deci, Edward L. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Vol 70(1), Jan 1996, 115-126.

12. Stambor, Z. (2006, March). Employees: A company’s best asset. Monitor on Psychology, 37, 28-30. 6. Stave, G.M., Muchmore, L., & Gardner, H. (2003). Quantifiable impact of the contract for health and wellness: Health behaviors, health care costs, disability, and workers’ compensation. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 45, 109-117.

13. Organizational Wellness: A Meta-Analysis. Kizzy M. Parks and Lisa A. Steelman: Florida Insitute of Technology. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 2008, Vol. 13, NO. 1, 58-68.

14. Nutritious food intake: a new competitive advantage for organizations? Jeffery Houghton, Christopher Neck, Kenneth Cooper. International Journal of Workplace Health Management. 2009. VOl 2; Issue 2; Page 161 - 179; ISSN: 1753-8351 http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/17538350910970228