Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Announced

The latest list of Start! Fit-Friendly Companies was just released, and 32 companies across the South Central Affiliate have been recognized for going above and beyond when it comes to their employees’ health. Congratulations to these companies for their progressive leadership and employing physical activity practices, including:

• Providing walking routes
• Promoting walking programs, online newsletters and tracking tools to motivate employees
• Allowing staff to wear athletic shoes in the workplace on designated "sneaker days."

Arkansas:

• 5 Star Sports Calendar, LLC (Formerly Game On Promotions), Fayetteville, AR, Gold Award
• The Procter & Gamble Distributing Company / Fayetteville, Arkansas, Fayetteville, Platinum Award
• Twin City Transportation Inc., Little Rock, Gold Award

Oklahoma:

• Pepsi Bottling Group, Tulsa, Gold Award
• The NORDAM Group, Tulsa, Platinum Award
• Trane/Ingersoll Rand- North Texas-Oklahoma CSO/DSO, Carrollton, Gold Award
• Tulsa Area United Way, Tulsa, Gold Award
• Tulsa City-County Health Department, Tulsa, Gold Award

Texas:

• Alcon Research, LTD, Houston, Gold Award
• Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Dallas, Gold Award
• Bank of America, Dallas, Gold Award
• Brinker International, Dallas, Gold Award
• CHRISTUS Hospital, Beaumont, Gold Award
• City of Plano, Plano, Gold Award
• Dallas Fire-Rescue Department, Dallas, Gold Award
• Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Dallas, Gold Award
• First Command Financial Planning, Fort Worth, Gold Award
• Frito Lay, Inc., Plano, Gold Award
• Good Shepherd Medical Center, Longview, Gold Award
• Higginbotham & Associates, Inc., Fort Worth, Gold Award
• Houston Airport System, Houston, Gold Award
• Houston Northwest Medical Center, Houston, Platinum Award
• Lockton Dunning Benefits, Dallas, Gold Award, Worksite Innovation Award (one of only 13 in the U.S.!)
• Marvin United Methodist Church, Tyler, Gold Award
• McQueary Henry Bowles Troy, Dallas, Gold Award
• PepsiCo, Inc., Business+Information Solutions, Parkwood, Tennyson and Data Center, Plano, Gold Award
• Promotional Products Association International, Irving, Gold Award
• Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc., Plano, Gold Award
• Sysco Corporate, Houston, Gold Award
• THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano, Plano, Gold Award
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Gold Award
• W Dallas Victory Hotel, Dallas, Gold Award

Adult Americans spend most of their waking hours at work. Sadly, many of those hours are spent sitting at a desk. This makes them vulnerable to health risks associated with inactive lifestyles. Studies suggest that by starting a worksite physical activity program and promoting a culture of activity, you can increase productivity, reduce absenteeism, lower turnover and reduce healthcare costs.

Besides benefiting companies, a healthier workplace helps employees live healthier, longer lives. What better benefit could you provide your employees? If you’re interested in gaining recognition for the work your company is doing to help fight heart disease, visit our online Start! Fit-Friendly application/renewal site.