Liberty County employees who participated in the county’s wellness program were awarded for their efforts at the annual LIVE Well luncheon on Dec. 17.
Human Resources Specialist Laura Troutman, who heads the program, hosted the awards ceremony.
“We had an awesome year,” she said. “This is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to you for supporting my wellness program all year, and to recognize those who have also earned prizes.”
The LIVE Well program short for Liberty Inspires Vibrant Employees is designed to encourage employees to take control of their health and well-being.
According to Troutman, there are four central components to the program: health screenings, volunteering in the community, getting educated on health and wellness and physical activity.
Participants earn points by completing various health-and-wellness related activities; for instance, 30 minutes of physical activity per day will earn one point, up to a maximum of 200 points.
Other point-earning activities include participating in various weight-loss or healthy-eating challenges, donating blood and earning first-aid or CPR certifications.
Troutman emphasized that the program is not about fad dieting or a singular weight-loss challenge.
“This isn’t a swimsuit competition,” she said. “Living well is about the whole person.”
Prize bags were awarded to all participants who earned at least 100 wellness points. To qualify for the yellow tier, an employee had to earn 100-199 points; 200-399 points qualified an employee for the red tier; and employees who earned 400 or more points qualified for the blue tier.
Troutman also recognized the top male and female wellness champions.
Daniel Santiago, a Liberty County finance employee, claimed the crown as the male champion, although he was unable to attend the luncheon.
Earning the title of female champion was Evelyn Jackson, who works in administration. Jackson earned over 600 points, and her prize bag included a Fitbit device.
“I feel healthy,” Jackson said about her win. “I’m still working at it; I still have goals that I haven’t reached yet.”
Jackson said she walks up to 3 1/2 miles every day and rides her stationary bike for additional exercise. She said she earned her points by getting regular health checkups and participating in as many wellness-program activities as she could.
“I just try to keep myself motivated,” she said, noting that she uses the MyFitnessPal app on her smartphone to track her progress.
Jackson echoed Troutman’s sentiments regarding wellness being a lifestyle.
“I miss it if I don’t do it,” she said.