• Healthy Lifestyle Month
• Reproductive Health Month
• 4 Feb is World Cancer Day – Do you need print material to increase awareness amongst your staff?
• 12-18 Feb is Pregnancy Awareness Week – Wellnomix offers a Pregnancy Journey workshop
• 12-18 Feb is STI/Condom week – Wellnomix offers an STI-Condom Quiz & Demo workshop
• 17 Feb is Healthy Lifestyles Awareness Day

Feel free to contact us if you need support with your interventions in February.

The health observances calendar is available from the South African Department of Health website.

The below calendar is based on the events for 2012.

During 2011 the HIV Update was conducted to companies such as Hewlett Packard. The outline of the 2011 HIV Update is illustrated below.

Please feel free to contact us should you require a 2012 HIV Update for your management / employees / team.

SA HIV Statistics

Much of SA HIV statistics are based on the Antenatal Survey conducted during October of each year at the public health clinics. For your reference the studies are available from the links below:

- 2007  DOWNLOAD NOW

- 2008 DOWNLOAD NOW

- 2009 DOWNLOAD NOW

- 2010  DOWNLOAD NOW

But is this the calm before the storm?

The tide has clearly turned when it comes to the HIV & AIDS epidemic but in reality the SA HIV Prevalence is almost as high as ever. This can ironically be attributed (at least in part) to  the success of treatment strategies which have resulted in  lower AIDS-related Death rates which in turn has resulted in more people living with the disease. But, they are living!!!

Now that things are looking better, the global recession has led to a significant withdrawal of donor funding which makes this more complicated of course. AIDS activist and popular lead singer of the group U2, Bono, is making a stand again. Read more

Wellnomix offers 30-45 minute interactive workshops in Durban and surrounding areas to support your workplace wellness interventions.

Workshop theme: The Heart of the Matter!

Aim: Making employees aware of the importance of HEART HEALTH by not smoking, doing regular exercise and eating healthy.

Target audience: All employees

Workshop facilitator: Sr. Isabel Coetzer (Registered Nurse)

Workshops includes: Awareness Poster & Leaflets

Optional extras: Screening – any combination of Blood Pressure, Random Cholesterol, Random Glucose, Body Mass Index and Body Fat Percentage

Contact us at your earliest convenience for more information or to make your reservation.

About Heart Health:

Looking after your heart is essential for a long, healthy life. unfortunately many people don’t give it the attention it deserves until it is too late. Although heart disease is usually thought to be an illness that affects mostly men, heart disease is increasing at a rapid pace amongst South African women. The following information could save your life so please read carefully. Knowing the risks of heart disease and how to beat them can make all the difference.

What increases your risk of  Heart Disease?

Your age – if you are over 65 you stand a far higher chance of heart disease or stroke

If there’s a history of heart disease in your family

• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity/overweight
• Diabetes
• Stress

Do You know  Heart Healthy numbers?

We live our lives by the numbers: phone numbers, PIN numbers etc . But do you know the heart health numbers that could literally save your life? There are three key numbers you need — including one surprisingly easy one that could give you a lifesaving preview of your cardiac risk.

Your blood pressure

Your cholesterol levels

Your waist size

Healthy numbers mean a healthy heart. If you follow a healthy lifestyle — eat a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and avoid smoking — you can even turn bad numbers around .

Here’s a quick guide to your heart-healthy numbers:

1. Blood Pressure: Key to Heart Health

Blood pressure consists of two numbers. Your systolic pressure measures the pressure of blood against artery walls when the heart pumps blood out during a heartbeat, while the diastolic pressure measures the same pressure between heartbeats, when the heart fills with blood. Both of these numbers are important.

Normal blood pressure is below 120/80.

Pre-hypertension is 120 to 139 (systolic) and/or 80 to 89 (diastolic).

Hypertension – also known as high blood pressure — is 140 or higher (systolic) and 90 or higher (diastolic).

2. Cholesterol: Predictor of Heart Attack

Cholesterol isn’t all bad — it’s a type of fat that’s actually a nutrient. But as you’ve probably heard, there’s “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol. When we measure cholesterol and blood fats, we’re really talking about three different numbers: HDL, LDL, and triglycerides. They combine to give you a “lipid profile” score, but the three individual scores are most important

Have your cholesterol checked regularly and adjust your eating habits to keep it within the recommended levels. If you have high total cholesterol, it is important to know what type of cholesterol is high. It’s better to have a normal or low LDL and high HDL cholesterol than a high LDL and a low HDL.

The following are target values:

• Total cholesterol <5.0 mmol/l;
• LDL cholesterol <3.0 mmol/l;
• HDL cholesterol >1.2 mmol/l.

3. Waist Size: The Connection to Heart Disease

If you can only remember one number, your waist size is the one to know. Why? Because better than your weight or your BMI, your waist size predicts your heart disease risk.  If your waist size is equal to or more than 89cm inches in women and equal to or more than  101 cm in men, it increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic problems, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol.

Exercise your  Heart

Physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) together with tobacco use and an unhealthy diet, according to the World Health Organisation.

With 1 in 3 men and 1 in 4 women in South Africa developing a heart condition before the age of 60, taking charge of your physical fitness can play an important role in maintaining an overall sense of wellbeing and reducing the risk of developing CVD.

Your heart is one of the most important muscles in the body and one of the best ways to keep it healthy is by exercising regularly. Being inactive can contribute to weight problems and other CVD risk factors, including hypertension and raised cholesterol and glucose levels

Recent research has shown that a regular training programme will improve general cardiovascular fitness, especially for those individuals who have a history of heart disease.

Regular exercise may:

• Reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
• Improve your blood cholesterol levels
• Help control blood pressure
• Play a role in glucose control
• Help maintain or reach ideal weight
• Strengthen your bone ligaments and tendons
• Reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis
• Improve your ability to fall asleep quickly and sleep well
• Help reduce the symptoms of PMS

Different forms of physical activities, including those that are less demanding, can be highly beneficial. Fun dance classes, using the stairs instead of the lift and daily household chores like sweeping, gardening or cleaning the house all contribute to your well being and fitness level.

Join a cricket, rugby, soccer or hockey club. Swimming, dancing and brisk walking are but some of the other physical activities that can also benefit your heart. To help improve your cardiovascular fitness, one should choose an activity that is both repetitive and rhythmic because it strengthens your heart.

However if you struggle to start, here are a few tips that can help:

• Choose activities that are fun and add variety
• Find a convenient time and place to do activities. If you miss an exercise opportunity, work activity into your day in another way
• Use music to keep you entertained
• Surround yourself with positive people
• Don’t overdo it!

Remember: If you have been inactive for a long time or are at high risk for coronary heart disease, see your medical doctor for a proper medical evaluation before beginning a physical exercise programme

Change to a  Heart Healthy Diet

Improving your diet is an important step toward preventing heart disease, but you may feel unsure where to begin. Take a look at the big picture: your overall eating patterns are more important than obsessing over individual foods. Incorporate a variety of healthy foods cooked in healthy ways into your diet, and make these habits your new lifestyle.

By switching to a healthier diet you’ll be able to:

1. Maintain a healthy weight and reduce the strain on your heart
2. Help to lower your blood cholesterol level
3. Help to keep your blood pressure down

Healthy eating may also help to protect against other conditions such as cancer and Type 2 Diabetes.

When your heart is working well, it pumps blood through the arteries, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients. It’s powerful and fragile at the same time, keep this precious and miraculous organ in good condition.

Look after your heart

• Strategy development
• Marketing
• Provider – sourcing & coordination
• Representation – on behalf of other organisations
• Logistics – Audio; Photo; Video; Tables; Chairs; Equipment; Floor Plans
• Screening:
  • Surveys – Medical History and current Health status; Family history; Lifestyle; Productivity; Stress etc.
  • Biometrics – Anaemia; Blood Alcohol Content; Blood Pressure; Body Mass Index; Body Fat %; Flexibility; Random Cholesterol; Random Glucose
  • Fitness – Abdominal Endurance; Lower and upper body strength & endurance; Cardiovascular fitness etc.
• Interactive Entertainment:
  • Drama Theatre
  • Exercise Experience
  • Nutrition Demonstrations
  • Soccer Shoot-Out
  • Workshops / Talks – Topics such as: Arthritis / Back Awareness / Breast Health / Candle Light Memorial Talks / Condom Demonstrations / Diabetes / Exercise / Healthy Lifestyles / High Blood Pressure / High Cholesterol / HIV & AIDS / Sexually Transmitted Infections / Reproductive Health / Men’s Health / Mental Illness / National Heart Awareness Month / Nutrition / Obesity / Osteoporosis / Tuberculosis / World No Tobacco Day / World AIDS Day / Women’s Health / Design-a-Talk (As per request…)

• HIV Screening
• Anonymous Testing for HIV
• Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV
• Reporting
  • Organisational Health & Wellness Analysis
  • Personal Health & Wellness Analysis

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on how we can assist you.

Material can also be customised as per request. Please do not hesitate to CONTACT US for more information.

The cost of workshops are R1,500 each unless else specified or when additional services are required.

Prices do not include VAT or transport if required or Optional Extras

No transport is charged for clients that are within a 50km radius from the Pavilion Shopping complex Westville alternatively R3.50 / km applies.

To reserve your workshop the following information is required:

WELLNOMIX WORKPLACE WELLNESS WORKSHOP RESERVATION

Please print, complete and fax this page to 086 6181327 or email to clifford@wellnomix.co.za. Wellnomix will advise you further.

We look forward to meeting you.

Best regards

Clifford Coetzer

In reality the best way to lose weight is making the decision to take action and then to decide to do what it takes to get to your goals.

Weight loss is best achieved via regular fat burning activity as described below and following a healthy eating regime.

If you have not been doing regular exercise for 3 months or more and / or if you are living with a medical condition that may be affected by participating in exercise it is best to get medical clearance first.

Choosing an exercise modality for weight loss should be a personal choice. There are various exercise activities to choose from such as tennis, squash, walking, cycling, swimming, spinning classes, circuit training, Taebo, the list goes on. It is best to choose something that you enjoy and that will fit into your lifestyle at this point in your life.

Regardless of the type of activity you decide to use, if you want to lose weight you will need something that will allow you to warm up first, then elevate your heart rate to your fat burning zone and maintain it at that intensity for the majority of your fat burning session. You may want to start with 10 to 20 minutes of fat burning (@ 50-60% of your maximum heart rate), 3 or 4 times per week. You can increase the duration of your training sessions as your fitness improves. Ideally you will need to train for 30 to 50 minutes per day in your fat burning zone (and this is key – you have to maintain your heart rate in your fat burning zone), 3 to 5 times per week. Speak to a professional to determine your ideal heart rate.

These general guidelines may help but it is best to consult with a Biokineticist or professional trainer who will incorporate your medical history, current health status, body composition and goals when designing a programme for you.  A registered dietician can design an eating regime to compliment your individual needs.

(Source: Clifford Coetzer)