Late night snack? or a quick workout ?

Its 10 minutes until ten pm (eastern time). My wife is in NY for training, 6-year is in bed, newborn is asleep in the crib, dishwasher is working, the Yankees are up by 5 over the Phillies in the 8th, and the Lakers vs. Celtics game is a blowout. What should I do? Have a bowl of cereal? Drink a Yuengling? Turn on ESPN? Get on Facebook? Nah, I'm gonna do what every man wants to do at 10 pm at night - work out in my garage and do some mailbox sprints.

Here's my "Hood" Training Workout:

"Hood" Training are workouts you do in your house, garage, neighborhood, or a nearby park. You use random stuff, like water jugs, bags of stones or sand, lawn equipment, logs, rocks, kids, trashcans, chairs, and workout equipment that you currently own. Its something different.

Jump Rope (10 minutes)

Minute 1 - 2 feet

Minute 2 - alternate feet

Minute 3 - 2 hops left, then 2 hops right

Minute 4 - 2 feet side-to-side hops

Minute 5 - 2 feet front-to-back

Minute 6 - right leg only

Minute 7 - left leg only

Minute 8 - double skips (every other)

Minute 9 - 2 feet reverse

Minute 10 - high knees 15 seconds, then 2 feet speed - repeat twice

(water)

Exercises

1. Pushups with a bag of pebbles on my back (its about 45 lbs) - 20 reps, 10 reps without

2. Tornado ball slams - on my butt, feet off the ground, slam side to side - 30 each side (switch hand positions half way)

3. Squat Jumps with a bag of pebbles on my shoulders - 15 jumps, 30 seconds off, 15 more jumps

4. Medicine ball slams - straight down - 50 reps

5. Mail Box Sprints (about 25 yards): sprint (rest 10 seconds) repeat 6 times

6. Front plank with the bag of pebbles on my back - 1 minute

7. Bicep Curls with a 5 gallon jug of water (hold the rounded ends, squeeze, and curl) - do not drop the jug or set it down - as many as you can get in a minute

8. Dips on the Total Gym bar 25 reps, rest, 25 more

9. Broad Jumps - as many as you can get in one minute

10. Mailbox sprints - 6 more

16 ounces of organic 1 % milk, shower, check the NBA score, then bed.

Enjoy it. This workout took me 36:45.

Health Care Reform Bill - What business need to know and how implementing a Worksite Health Program saves your company money.

The Health Care Reform Bill passed. According to a CBS.com quick poll, an overwhelming percentage of pollers do not feel that it will benefit them (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20000846-503544.html). Is it because they are misinformed, don't agree with political change, or honestly feel it is bad for our nation? From a health/wellness standpoint, here are a few points to consider:

• The cost of Health Care in 2008 was $2.3 Trillion.
• 60% of the cost was attributed to hospital care, Rx drugs, & physician/clinical services
• Preventable Chronic diseases/lifestyle choices such as obesity, diabetes, & tobacco contributed 75%.
• 50% of Chronic Disease result from preventable lifestyle changes
• Example, the cost of obesity was about $150 billion
• North Carolinians in 2008 paid $2500 per person.
• If obesity trends continue, NCers will pay $4400 in 2013, and $11,200 in 2018
• Bottom line - Higher Obesity = Higher Costs (to you and your businesses)
• Type 2 Diabetes is mainly caused by obesity 70 - 90%
• Cost of diabetes compared to not having - $13000 vs $2200
• Currently 7% of Americans have diabetes.
• By 2020, 33% are expected to have diabetes
• Bottom line - More Diabetes = High Costs (to you and your businesses)
• These numbers, do not include the cost of absenteeism & poor worker productivity - these are indirect costs
• Indirect costs may be 2-3 times higher than direct costs for your company
• High risk employees (those with high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity issues, lack of exercise) cost your business more money.
• Less then 7% of all business have Worksite Health Programs installed.
• WHP's can cut insurance premiums for companies, as well as individual costs
• Bottom line - Healthier employees = Money Saved
• Example, lower risk employees where shown to save companies 10 -35% in health care costs compared to those who where at highest risk
• Comprehensive WHP experienced a 26% savings in health care costs
• One study showed an average of 27% reduction in sick leaves, and 32% reduction in workers' compensation and disabilities claims
• A review of 73 published studies showed an average savings of $3.50 per every $1 spent on their WHP.
• Some have shown higher savings
• Bottom-line WHP's save companies money
• The Reform Bill allows the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Labor to set discounts up to 50 percent of insurance premiums if the wellness program is determined beneficial for employee. Effective January 1, 2011.

Obviously, the Health Care Reform bill is very controversial. It is up to you to inform yourself with the facts and to make your own informed decisions. As far as worksite health programs, Fuel Factor Fitness & Nutrition feels strongly about their implementation because of what studies have produced. Whether or not the Reform Bill will have an impact or not, that is yet to be seen. It is stated to save trillions of dollars....... at least that is what the report on the link states.