We sat down with Jiji to talk about her passion for health and her No. 1 tip for getting healthier.

What is a Workplace Wellness Program? 
Workplace wellness is any workplace health promotion activity or organizational policy designed to support healthy behavior in the workplace and to improve health outcomes. Generally speaking, health promotion is defined as “the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health,” and health promotion can be carried out in the workplace, as well as many other settings.

What does a Wellness Coach do?
I’ve been a Wellness Coach and Nutritionist for 12 years, and while the process is the same, each program is unique. I help people with diet, nutrition, lifestyle changes and exercise.

I start by taking a comprehensive health history of my clients. I take the time to understand their daily routines. Lifestyle changes will be different for different people. Some people have varied day-to-day routines; some have schedules that require eating out often and leave little time to exercise; some travel constantly and work demanding hours.

Then we track their diets and liquid intake for a week, which gives me a good idea of where to start. I often help my clients pick out food at the grocery store, an even give them cooking and meal prep tips.  It all depends on their needs.

Preventative care in the form of a healthy lifestyle can be very powerful. Most people wait until they fall sick to make changes, but you’d be surprised how good you feel if you make simple diet and exercise changes to keep yourself healthy.

Why is it important to focus on health in the workplace?
When people are trying to make an overall lifestyle change, the more support they have the more successful they will be. Support from your coworkers and family is a key factor in achieving your goals.

At work, it creates enhanced teamwork and camaraderie if everyone is committed to a healthier lifestyle. And you may even see some increased creativity through the process. I encourage clients to do things like hold a walking meeting, instead of simply sitting in a conference room or in their offices. It’s surprising what a change of scenery will do.

What is your favorite part of wellness coaching?
I love it when I see a change in a client because they are following through with their lifestyle goals. It’s so rewarding to see people happier and healthier. I had one client who was addicted to soda and borderline diabetic. The transition was challenging, but within six months she was able to give up soda. That one change caused her to lose weight and spurred other healthy habits.

The great thing about a wellness plan is that you can see change pretty quickly if you stick to it, usually within 2-3 weeks. I always celebrate those little wins with my clients. The small goals along the way are important.

What is your best tip for getting healthier?
There are so many simple things a person can do but drinking smoothies is always my No. 1 tip. They are quick and can help you get a lot of vitamins, minerals and proteins easily. As a bonus, smoothies provide plenty of options if you have dietary restrictions. Here is one of my favorite recipes: