February 4, 2005

MGHers prepare to Be Fit

While losing weight and eating healthier are popular New Year's resolutions, six groups from throughout the hospital are making a commitment to stick to these resolutions with the support of a new pilot program. Teams from Buildings and Grounds, Environmental Services, Human Resources, Materials Management, Nutrition and Food Services and MGH members of the Clubs at Charles River Park intend to eat healthier, exercise more and above all else get fit through the Be Fit Challenge — a 12-week pilot program sponsored by the Clubs and Nutrition and Food Services that will help the teams with nutrition advice, fitness tips and overall health guidelines.

A personal trainer from the Clubs and a nutritionist — a registered dietitian from Nutrition and Food Services — will be assigned to each team to oversee its progress and assist in improving eating and exercise habits. A team leader from each department will encourage the group to stay on track. Each member will be entitled to three visits per week to the Clubs and one free Nutralert meal from the Eat Street Cafe' each week. Nutralert meals provide less than 650 calories, less than 22 grams of fat and less than 30 percent of calories from fat.

To prepare for the kickoff, which took place Feb. 3 in the Clinics Amphitheater, each team member signed a Be Fit Challenge commitment contract. The contract states each member must attend a weekly one-hour group meeting every Thursday and weekly group weigh-ins — which will track the progress of each team. Each member also must agree to 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days a week. Physical activity can include working out at a gym, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, doing housework or shoveling snow. Each member also will commit to following healthy eating habits.

"We know that poor nutrition and inactivity can lead to illnesses and chronic diseases," says Jeff Davis, senior vice president for MGH Human Resources. "Eating right and exercising regularly are the foundations of living a healthy life. To help employees meet this challenge, we hope to support them in their journey to improve their lifestyle and live happy, healthy lives."

Once the pilot program is complete and has been evaluated, the hospital plans to open up the Be Fit program to every employee at the MGH.