Nestle’s I Choose Wellness Program

I bet everyone notices the ad campaigns of Nestle focusing on wellness.

Nestle shared to us bloggers during the meet & greet yesterday why Nestle is into wellness.

1. Global Health Trends – Rising health problems as reported by the World Health Organization.  These problems are mostly lifestyle diseases that can be prevented.  Examples are heart disease, hypertension, cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, diabetes.
2. Nestle being the World’s Food Company – comes a responsibility of the company to its consumers for better health, nutrition & wellness.

Basic Principles of Wellness:

• Eat Right
• Exercise Regularly
• Find Balance in the physical, mental, emotional & spiritual aspects in life

The question Nestle Corporate Wellness Head Cora Sager asked us was “Are you an Apple or a Pear?“

When we say apple, the fats are saturated on the waist area (more prone to heart disease & hypertension).  If you’re a pear, then your fats are on your hips (more prone to varicose veins & orthopedic problems).  I definitely know that I’m a pear but whether we are a pear or an apple, there is a definite need to choose wellness.

To get started, we have to assess first.  Cora taught us how to get our own BMI, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio.

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a quick indicator of health by measuring the appropriate weight for one’s height.  Here is how:

1. know your height & weight
2. convert your height to meters, weight to kilograms. 
3. bring out your BMI wheel to find out where you stand

If your BMI result is <18 then you’re underweight, 18-24.9 then you’re average (I’m here! yipee!), >/=25 then you’re overweight.

Next is to get your waist circumference, it is located between the lowest rib and tip of the hip bone.  An indicator of abdominal fat.

Ideal:  Male (<35 inches), Female (<31 inches)

Lastly, get your Waist to Hip Ratio.  Formula is Waist/Hip (Hip Circumference: Largest area of the buttocks).

Target: Male (<1), Female (<0.8)

Once we have finished the assess part, we’ll need to set our goals.  Find out what our ideal measurement are and set it as our ultimate goal.

Nestle gave us a kit of I Choose Wellness w/c we can use to achieve personal wellness.

The last step is to plan little steps and milestones monthly to achieve our wellness goal.

So just to summarize, the 3 steps to do get started on personal wellness:

1. Assess – BMI, Waist Circumference, Waist to Hip Ratio
2. Set a Goal – find ideal measurements
3. Plan Little Steps & Milstones Monthly

Nestle has the “I Choose Wellness” movement that you can join so they can help guide you to achieve personal wellness.

They provide free nutrition counseling, wellness seminars, fitness activities, brand sampling/games/activities.

You can go to the choosing wellness site here to join and get more information.