Vantage Point: Based on personal experience, provost advocates for new wellness initiative
BY JOHN ETCHEMENDY
John Etchemendy
You've all heard a lot lately about the university's new interdisciplinary research initiatives, and of course you know about our ongoing program to reduce peak-hour commute trips to campus. Well, last week the university launched a major initiative of an entirely different sort: the BeWell@Stanford Initiative. I want to say a few personal words about why I'm enthusiastic about the new initiative and hope you will all find a way to participate.
About four years ago I was not feeling healthy and was headed in the wrong direction. I'd gained weight, was suffering insomnia and leading a sedentary lifestyle, either sitting in meetings or at my computer all day and much of the night. My worst fear was that I would be physically unable to continue as provost, a job I loved.
I'd saved an e-mail that Elizabeth Bernhardt, professor of German studies, had sent me years earlier, outlining her success with a fitness trainer. I asked my wife, Nancy, if she would find me a personal trainer. At the time, I felt too overwhelmed to even do so myself. Nancy quickly found a gym and trainer for me, and the following Saturday I began a four-year odyssey to fitness.
Thanks to a lifestyle change that today includes regular workouts, swimming and bicycling, I feel better than I ever have. I'm happier, more productive and better prepared, both physically and mentally, to handle my job. And I'm enjoying life more in every way. That's why I helped launch the new wellness initiative, in the hopes that all members of our community can experience the same benefits.
BeWell@Stanford is a multifaceted initiative, with many events and programs that you'll be hearing about throughout the year. The hub of the initiative is the BeWell website (http://bewell.stanford.edu), an online community of Stanford people who can offer encouragement, insights and advice about classes to take, places to exercise or food to eat. It also outlines programs that are open to Stanford faculty, students and staff, including the upcoming Free (and Healthy) Lunch that will be sponsored by Stanford Residential and Dining Enterprises.
An important part of the initiative is the Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment (SHALA). This free online survey is a great place to start if you want to improve your well-being. Employees who fill it out will get a personalized health assessment and tailored recommendations, in addition to a $150 incentive. You'll hear more about the SHALA soon.
By the way, SHALA responses, all of which are anonymous and confidential, will be aggregated to give us a baseline from which to measure health improvements in the entire university community. I am confident that with easily accessible programs, we can move the needle and become a healthier university.
Hate to exercise? Believe me, I know all the excuses, having used them myself most of my life. I think I invented some of them. I rarely exercised, and when I did, it's fair to say I hated it. I tried to swim regularly, but the slightest obstacle convinced me to put it off for another day. But today I love exercising—as odd as I know that sounds—and I hear the same story from many colleagues across campus who have successfully transitioned to a healthier lifestyle. An active lifestyle gives you more energy to deal with anything that comes along.
The recipe for success is different for each individual. For me, the key was finding a person to help motivate me to do it. Whether that's a trainer at the gym, an instructor in a class or just a friend to join you in a daily walk, it helps to have someone else who expects you to show up. I needed the discipline and encouragement that an appointment provided. It was just harder to talk myself out of exercising.
It took a fairly long time for me to notice the changes. But then, all of sudden, I was losing weight, sleeping better and feeling renewed excitement in my work. I lost about a pound or two a week by exercising regularly and eating slightly less. Unusual diet programs didn't work for me, as they don't for most people. After about a year, I had lost 60 pounds and have had no trouble keeping them off.
Unfortunately, the U.S. healthcare system virtually ignores prevention: Insurance companies see little financial gain from investments in your future health. As a result, it is up to employers like Stanford to provide the incentives that the healthcare system lacks for people to stay healthy and productive and to avoid preventable illnesses. Stanford is fortunate to have many long-term employees who spend their entire careers at the university and eventually retire from here. Their commitment to Stanford—your commitment—helps account for the university's remarkable success. The university owes much to you, including, I believe, doing what we can to keep you healthy and happy throughout your careers and into an active and fulfilling retirement.
So, I hope to see you online at http://bewell.stanford.edu and at the pool or rec center. I hope exercise provides as many benefits for you as it has for me.
John Etchemendy is provost of Stanford University.
