Awareness and access lead the way to wellness

A Healthy Thought:
“We’ve given them the tools they need to be healthier.”
Gail Hynes
Vice president of human resources
A Healthy Thought: “We’ve given them the tools they need to be healthier.” Gail Hynes Vice president of human resources

Exeter business technology consulting firm Carousel Industries Inc. has earned its place among this year’s Providence Business News Healthiest Employers award winners by lifting a lot of weight off its employees’ shoulders – and the rest of their bodies.
Gail Hynes, Carousel’s vice president of human resources, said 72 employees have lost a combined total of 684 pounds in the company’s Weight Watchers at Work program through exercise, healthy eating and mutual support. Six employees in the program have achieved lifetime status as Weight Watcher members. One employee alone lost about 30 pounds.
“We’ve gotten thanks from our people for making them aware of healthy behavior,” Hynes said. “‘I am off blood pressure medication.’ ‘I didn’t know there was sodium in cottage cheese and bread.’ We’ve given them the tools they need to be healthier.”
The company’s wellness programs start with every employee and spouse completing a health assessment. The program’s tools include kiosks around the building with free fruit, a fitness room with exercise bicycles, treadmills, elliptical machines and Wii Fit, online health education and motivational group programs. Rewards for successful participation include gift card incentives valued at up to $100.
Hynes said she can set her watch to the 10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. dedicated employee groups that trek the walking path around the main building every day.
“They don’t feel they are on a diet,” Hynes said. “They are happy to see how easy it is to do.”

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