The Healthy Desk Jockey

Discover how small habits can lead to big results and transform your life now! In this inspiring episode, Deborah Johnson and I dive into the powerful impact of micro-habits on health, productivity, and overall well-being.  You'll learn actionable strategies to reduce stress, build healthier routines, and take control of your day. I share my journey of creating the innovative vidaBALL, a patented breathing tool designed to make stress relief accessible anytime, anywhere. Together, we explore how intentional breathing, simple daily practices, and mindfulness can elevate your mental and physical health. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life's challenges or unsure where to start in making positive change? We've learned that it's not about drastic overhauls—it's about small, consistent steps. Whether you're looking to reduce workplace stress, improve focus, or reconnect with yourself, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspirational insights to help you take that next step. Get the full article here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/small-ch... Learn more about Stacy at: https://StacyFritz.com or https://thevidaball.com 

Check out my interview with "How to Trust Your Breath" with my sweet, amazing friend @HeatherHansen. Stacy Fritz  invented the vidaBALL, which is on its way to being the next huge thing in stress, relief, breath, work, and self-regulation. In our conversation, we talked about the work that went into that invention, the grief that drove her, and all of the ways that she advocated to make it happen. She is one of my heroes, and you are going to love this conversation. You’re also going to want to get yourself a vidaBALL ASAP!  https://www.fit2order.com/thevidaball  Youtube Link--->https://loom.ly/A-_rGUk You can find Heather here-->https://loom.ly/AT8l_B8 And, here---> https://loom.ly/pRbaMbE

What a great interview with Julianne Kirkland from the Women Leaders Podcast womenleaderspodcast.com. I get the opportunity to share how implementing micro-movements throughout your day is crucial for your leadership success. Julianne and I also drop golden nuggets about why the words we use matter when trying to build and grow. Listen to the interview HERE Watch the interview HERE

What a great interview with Julianne Kirkland from the Women Leaders Podcast womenleaderspodcast.com. I get the opportunity to share how implementing micro-movements throughout your day is crucial for your leadership success. Julianne and I also drop golden nuggets about why the words we use matter when trying to build and grow. Listen to the interview HERE Watch the interview HERE

What a great opportunity to be interview by Joanne Newborn, “Experts Unplugged: Speaker Spotlights from the Medical Fitness Association Conference” - where we chatted all things "wellbeing" AND the upcoming Medical Fitness Association 33rd Annual Conference taking place in Baltimore November 1-4. I was thrilled to be discussing my speech, "The Breath of Purpose: Unlocking Your Full Potential" and our new product release, the vidaBALL™️. Enjoy!  #medical #fitness #medicalfitness #dental #leadership #highperformance #teamwork #teambuilding #conferences #leadershipcoach #leadershipcoaching

Stacy Fritz had the pleasure of being interviewed by April Mahoney, the host of the  internationally recognized award winning podcast, On The Edge. The show is  an internationally recognized award winning podcast and global brand. Her reach spans to over 80,000 people in 47 countries.  With over 1400 episodes under her belt she is known as a major force and influencer in the world of podcast media. Have a listen....

Stacy Fritz had the pleasure to sit down with Jim Porter, president of StressStop.com, a company that has been providing stress management and resilience training and training materials to corporations, hospitals, government agencies and military bases for over 30 years. Mr. Porter is the author and creator of many of these materials which include dozens of workbooks, training videos and CD's, hundreds of articles, and a weekly blog on stress management.  Jim shared his incredible background and why Stress Stop tools continue to be needed in the workplace, now more than ever.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Kathleen Bands, owner of My Cleaning Service, a 3rd generation commercial cleaning company, to discuss our respective companies. Kathleen and I unpack how My Cleaning Service and FIT2order are on a mission, especially post COVID, to keep our clients and customers healthy and safe AT WORK.

The alarming number of NEW  COVID-19 cases as a result of the Delta variant has led many seeking to “boost” their immune system as a defense to the illness. While we definitely need our bodies’ defenses to be as strong as possible, our immune systems cannot technically be boosted.   It can, however, be strengthened and supported with good nutrition and lifestyle habits like regularly exercising, getting enough sleep, and managing stress.  Have a listen AND don't forget to grab the 3 workweek-friendly recipes for healthy eating to strength your immunity on our blog https://www.fit2order.com/media 

FITness may not always be easy, but it’s certainly not complicated. Living healthfully is really quite basic. As we say at FIT2order, you need to eat well, move more and stress less.  [Eat Well] Generally speaking, nutrition basics are easy. 1.     Avoid processed foods. 2.     Eat a lot of different types of vegetables. 3.     Choose lean protein sources including legumes. [Move More] There is no magic exercise or piece of equipment. Move in a way that feels good and move frequently during your day. 1.     Exercise your heart (cardio). 2.     Exercise your muscles (strength). 3.     Take movement breaks if you sit too long. [Stress Less] Chronic stress is dangerous. Be aware of your levels of stress. 1.     Get enough sleep.  2.     Unplug.  3.     Establish mindful habits like meditation, breath work or prayer. Know the basics. Eat to be and feel nourished. Choose movement that you love. And try to steer clear from hyped-up social media fitness folks who realize that complicated fitness sells.

Outdoor Workouts: Too (Hot? Cold? Embarrassed?) for an Outdoor Workout? Think again. The Benefits are Tremendous! COVID-19 has brought many challenges to both the fitness industry and fitness consumer alike. Before COVID, Americans largely associated exercise with a trip to the gym or studio, but the pandemic has forced many to sweat it out at home. As a result, digital workouts, have become the norm. In March 2020, the fitness industry saw a 147% increase in consumption of digital fitness purchases, while YouTube announced that since March 15, daily views of home workout videos saw a 515% uptick.  Despite the innovative features offered by leading digital fitness brands (e.g., live-streamed classes, leaderboards and star trainers), the one piece of the fitness puzzle that continues to be missing is the energy and community of a live workout class. As such, alongside the rise in digital fitness has been the increase of outdoor fitness. A recent RunRepeat survey revealed that half of the respondents said outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking and outdoor classes, will be their primary mode of exercise in 2021.  Have a listen to learn more about the benefits of outdoor exercise....  

The weight loss industry is full of myths, half-truths and gimmicks. But weight loss doesn’t have to be complicated. There are numerous research-backed techniques you can implement during your typical day that can aid your weight loss goals.  Some of the tips discussed are purely dietary (like cutting back on sugar), while others are more lifestyle-focused (like chewing food more slowly). By implementing a handful of these small, healthy habits, you’ll be on your way to healthfully shedding those unwanted pounds.    

Welcome back to The Healthy Desk Jockey... On today's episode, we are talking about taking care of your most important muscle, your heart! Did YOU know? Your heart beats about 115,000 times a day; it pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood every day; it’s about the size of your fist; and it can continue beating even when it’s disconnected from the body. [So, what are YOU doing to take care of your heart?] Your heart is the powerhouse of your whole body. When you take care of your heart, your entire body benefits. When your heart is healthy, you function at your best. Listen to learn a few tried and true heart-healthy habits AND a few that you might not be aware of...

Join Stacy Fritz from FIT2order to learn about the the tools and strategies that will help you build the foundation for good health, FITness, nutrition and mindset skills for success....including losing the Quarantine 15! 

A panel at the Global Wellness Summit brought together top journalists and future-forecasters to predict the big wellness trends of 2021.  Stacy Fritz shares the three trends that the panel determined would gain serious momentum throughout 2021 including how to support each of the trends with the tools and strategies needed for employees.  

Listen back on the Webinar: Corporate Wellness for a Rising Remote Workforce delivered a few weeks ago by Stacy Fritz from FIT2order. This webinar replay includes:  -Insights on the corporate responsibility of physical and mental health and safety of the employee -Implications of emerging shifts in workforce wellness from “nice to have” to corporate responsibility. -Wellness at Work trends for 2020 and beyond -Tools and technology to lead your employees thru and beyond the COVID-19 crisis that prioritize health and wellbeing wherever they are working -Actionable ideas on how to keep employees connected including 2 short work break demonstrations

[Research on the Benefits of Yoga is Catching up to What Yogic History Has Touted--for a mere 5,000 Years.] The 5,000 year-old practice of Yoga has established its relevance in today’s world. The Yoga Industry is an $11.5 Billion Industry, and Yoga practitioners have grown from 20 million to 36 million in just 4 years. The number of male Yogis has doubled, while the over 50 crowd who practices yoga has tripled. The simplicity of the practice (requires only some space and a mat) opens many venues--from health clubs to churches to parks to corporations. Yoga, with all of its mind/body benefits, has entered the American mainstream. Has it entered the doors of your organization? [Trending: Yoga at Work] The popularity of Worksite Yoga Classes follows these national trends, with onsite classes having doubled over the last several years (2). The increase of Yoga participants has led to the increased understanding of the many physical and emotional benefits of Yoga as well as a de-mystification of Yoga—it’s not a religion and it’s not about doing media-focused “pretzel” poses. Nancy Wolfson from Yoga Journal explains that most corporate yoga classes are employee driven. She attributes the corporate yoga boom to employees requesting onsite classes. Employees know they’re stressed; they know their backs and wrists hurt; and they know yoga can help. [Yoga, an antidote to work-related stress?] With 61% of Americans citing their jobs as their major stressor, many employers are seeking ways to reduce workplace stress. Could the answer to the call be as simple as onsite yoga classes? A recent study analyzed 13 trials with over 1300 participants and found that employees who do yoga at work are less stressed than their peers.  In fact, stress is cited as the top reason most people start a yoga practice. At HBO, Program Director, Bill Boyle, can’t keep pace with the yoga demands of the employees: “The deep breathing and relaxation employees get from yoga help them to be more focused and less anxious.” [Yoga for Back Pain] Yoga has proven to be effective in reducing and relieving back pain, including back pain associated with prolonged sitting. Additional research suggests that yoga may be as effective as physical therapy for generalized low back pain, according to a study in Annals of Internal Medicine (2017). In the study, people who attended weekly yoga sessions experienced improvements in pain and activity limitations that mirrored the results of those who attended physical therapy. Have a listen......

Every 2 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Chances are you, your employees, or their families have been impacted by breast cancer. Breast Cancer Awareness Month will be in full swing in just 2 short months. It’s time to start planning your company’s pink initiative! And as you do, think about how you will get your employees involved to not only bring awareness to this all-too common disease, but to celebrate your breast cancer warriors, and to give to a cause in a manner indicative of your work culture. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Breast cancer is more common after menopause, but younger women can develop it, as can men (though rare). The encouraging news is that breast cancer death rates have decreased by 39% since 1989. But breast cancer remains a significant health problem. As Florida surgeon John A.P. Rimmer explains, “Breast cancer is not a single disease. Some types are more aggressive than others. Cancer cells are nasty and sophisticated. The amount of knowledge we have is huge, but the cellular mechanism is hugely complex.”  In other words, we still have a long way to go to get to that cure. [Bring Awareness to Your Employees] Awareness efforts should include the basics on early detection: the importance of getting a mammogram and a discussion with your doctor regarding when and how frequently you should schedule your mammograms. In addition, awareness messaging should include the importance of understanding CONTROLLABLE risk factors like getting physical exercise (including workouts AND movement work breaks); eating a healthy diet that reduces inflammation in your body; and avoiding excessive alcohol use. Have a listen... We will be sharing 5 easy awareness-based activities for your company’s October Breast Cancer Awareness initiative.

Today, I am sitting down with the one and only, Anna Fitzgibbon. Anna is the owner of OutGrowth, a FIT2order FIT coach AND Pattie and my longtime friend. We will be chatting it up about Anna's super cool business, OutGrowth, that connects student interns, businesses AND local farms, how she started her business AND why it's a win-win for ALL including our beloved desk jockeys. Anna and I roll up our sleeves and share the importance of getting outside, connecting to nature and how we can all learn thru local farm experiences. Enjoy!

[Are you sitting down for this?] The CDC calls it “Occupational Sitting.” The medical community calls it “Sitting Disease.” Others refer to “The Desk Sentence,” “The Desk Jockey,” and “Sitting is the New Smoking.” These terms have emerged from the growing body of research linking prolonged sitting to fatigue, weight gain, chronic illness, and early death. [Maybe you should take a stand.] The average person sits more than half his waking hours. Studies show that people who sit for extended periods are at increased risk for the following: ·     Heart Disease ·     Type 2 Diabetes ·     Certain Cancers (breast, colorectal) ·     Obesity ·     Back and Neck Pain ·     Disability And the kicker? Even if you exercise regularly for one hour a day, it is not enough to undo the negative health of effects of a sedentary work-lifestyle.  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in its “Workplace Solutions” publication, calls for the need for employers to reduce the “safety and health hazards” of occupational sitting. The NIOSH advises companies to implement policies, programs and strategies that address the hazards of prolonged sitting, suggesting standing stations, educational workshops, and work break strategies.  [What’s an Occupational Sitter to do? Give yourself a break.] The research on the health risks of being sedentary is not allbleak. Studies suggest that minimizing the health risks associated with prolonged sitting is simple: Sit less and move more In other words, take frequent, short breaks spread throughout your day. In addition to improved health, work breaks can also improve your productivity. In our Puritanical society, taking breaks at work may seem counterintuitive to being productive, but experts disagree. MIT Sloan Executive Lecture Bob Pozen claims that working longer hours does not equate to increased productivity. Taking frequent and carefully planned breaks helps to improve your focus and your energy, not to mention your health. So, if you’re looking for ways to rev up both your health AND your productivity, be mindful of the fact that hours worked is not equivalent to productivity gained. “We need to do away with time as a success metric,” says Pozen.  [Not all work breaks are created equal.] The type of breaks we take matter. Too often, we take breaks when we are already tired and stressed, so we reach for the caffeine or the high sugar snack to help us cope. These types of breaks actually make us feel more fatigued. The key to making work breaks effective is to plan them into your schedule ahead of time. Examples of effective work breaks include: Movement Breaks ·      Walking breaks—even if it is one jaunt up and down the stairwell ·      Stretch breaks—consider what aches and pains need tending, perhaps a table top stretch for your chest and legs or a standing thumb stretch for the pain in your wrist. ·      Micro-workouts—keep an elastic fitness band in your desk drawer and do one 5-minute superset (e.g., Chest Presses and Deadlifts) every hour and get your workout in! Stress Management Breaks ·      Mini-meditations—pull away from your computer screen, detach and breathe deeply. ·      Breathing techniques—to calm yourself, breath in slowly for a count of 4 and exhale slowly for a count of 6. ·      Setting goals—again, pull away from your computer screen and set a new personal goal, then spend a few minutes visualizing yourself having attained this goal. For more information on the importance of taking purposeful work breaks or on FIT2order’s portal of work breaks, connect2FIT, contact us.