On January 14th, the City of Bismarck kicks off the 2008 BEAT (Bismarck Employees Active and Thriving) Wellness Challenge. The challenge will run twelve weeks. Bismarck City employees will have access to worksite wellness activities and weekly programs.

?City Employees completed a survey regarding wellness and several priorities were identified by employees as areas they were seeking to improve. We?ve targeted three areas employees identified for the 2008 Wellness Challenge - weight management, improving fitness, and increasing fiber in the diet?, said Chuck Klein, Human Resource Director.

?The Wellness Challenge is designed to motivate, educate and encourage employees to develop improved health habits one step at a time while seeing results,? said BEAT volunteer and registered dietician Wanda Agnew.

Vital information such as blood pressure, pulse, measurements, and weight will be recorded at the kick-off and final sessions so that participants can see the progress that they've made in improving their health. The worksite wellness program is a benefit offered to all City employees and is intended to provide employees with education and awareness of the benefits of making healthy lifestyle choices in the areas of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellness.



BEAT Wellness participants are offered 30 minute motivational presentations each week by local professionals that include topics such as tobacco cessation, general health, fitness, nutrition, food shopping, and stress reduction advice throughout the twelve week sessions.



BEAT activities are organized and hosted by volunteer City employees representing a variety of city departments with the guiDance and support of Human Resources and Public Health staff to help plan wellness activities. | save this article / add to your favorites list