Love that your children are as gung-ho about Brussels sprouts as chocolate bars?  Love family hikes, cycling adventures, or any activity that promotes a healthy lifestyle?

Love to share your story for a chance at a Hawaiian vacation?

Disney is sending some lucky families to the Magic of Healthy Living Weekend & TRYathlon May 30 – June 4 at its Aulani Resort in Oahu, Hawaii.

Disney Magic of Healthy Living encourages families to make healthier lifestyle choices – hoping those decisions impact future generations.  If your family has an inspiring, creative, or unique story, Disney wants to hear from you.

To be eligible, families must have at least one child between the ages of 6 and 14.  Families should submit a photo, along with a brief story highlighting your family’s healthy habits.

Contest ends on March 12.  For more information and complete contest rules click HERE >>>>

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AURORA, COLO. – Bistro Elaia, an exciting addition to the Colorado Center for Health and Wellness, which opens its doors on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in April, promises to eliminate the everyday dilemma of compromising good taste when eating healthfully. Whether patrons eat at the Colorado Center, grab-and-go or use their catering service, the Bistro will focus on real food that provides the campus community with healthy offerings each day.

At the helm of the new Bistro is a group of experts – Chef Paolo Neville and his culinary team, Dr. Holly Wyatt, Associate Director of the Colorado Center, and the area’s leading dietitians – who have developed a menu of sensible, wholesome foods that are better for you and taste surprisingly great. This winning lineup will compliment the Colorado Center’s healthy living goals.

Filling an Unmet Need

A recent survey of the Anschutz Medical Campus community conducted by KRC Research suggests that Bistro Elaia will fill an unmet need. Nearly half of the students, faculty and staff surveyed (48 percent) indicated that the healthfulness of food was the most important factor when deciding what to order from on-campus restaurants. Yet at the same time, the study noted that meal and snack options designed to meet specific dietary needs, as well as an item’s nutrition information, have rarely if ever been available on campus.

“The menu puts our customers’ eating woes to rest. Whether you’re gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian, have other dietary restrictions, or just want to eat healthfully, you’ll be able to find an array of satisfying and wholesome foods at the Bistro that taste great,” says Chef Neville. “We will also ensure nutrition information is accurately portrayed, and readily apparent. What we eat shouldn’t be a guessing game.”

Fresh, Wholesome, Earth-Friendly

Bistro Elaia serves only the freshest, highest-quality, local and organic foods the region has to offer, and is committed to eco-friendly practices. Everything from the napkins to the coffee cups will use recyclable and compostable materials and all of the Bistro’s ingredients that ultimately make up its extensive menu of whole grain options, vegetarian dishes and full espresso bar, among many other items, are sourced with great care and purpose. In fact, the Colorado Center’s green roof serves a dual purpose by providing not only a scenic and relaxing place to lounge and eat a Bistro meal but also many of the restaurant’s herbs.

From balsamic roasted beets, curried tofu with black rice salad and sage rubbed chicken roulade for lunch, to fresh fruit smoothies and potato and zucchini pancakes for breakfast, visitors are in for a culinary treat. Not only are the foods healthy, customers will have a hard time deciding what to choose.

Executive Director of the Colorado Center, James O. Hill, PhD, boasts, “The days of searching for that balance of nourishing but great tasting food are over. Coloradans are known for their healthy lifestyles and we want to make sure our local community can easily have a great-tasting, heart-healthy breakfast, lunch or quick snack on-the-go.”

Currently open for catering, the Colorado Center’s Bistro Elaia will soon be open for breakfast, lunch and snacks with expansive hours that meet the needs of Colorado Center visitors, the campus population and the broader Denver community.

High-resolution images of Bistro Elaia food are available to the media here.

About Bistro Elaia

Bistro Elaia is the premier dining facility located within the Colorado Center for Health and Wellness. The Bistro team is committed to core nutrition and eco-friendly principles that underscore the Colorado Center’s health and wellness goals, and result in great-tasting, sensible food. Already open for catering, the Bistro will soon be open for breakfast, lunch and snacks on-the-go. Bistro Elaia’s menu is developed by Chef Paolo Neville, his culinary team, and the area’s leading nutritionists.  For Bistro information, please visit www.ColoradoCenter.com.

23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?

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AURORA, COLO. – The Colorado Center for Health and Wellness today announced it has partnered with Technogym and MediFit to offer a wellness experience unlike anything offered in the surrounding community. Combining cutting edge equipment, unparalleled fitness facility management expertise and some of the world’s leading researchers all under one roof will give members unparalleled access to world class resources.

“Our mission with this wellness center is two-fold: to give our members a unique user-experience and to conduct research that will help us better understand the body’s physiological parameters while improving our understanding of weight-related and other chronic diseases,” said James O. Hill, Executive Director of the Colorado Center. “Technogym and MediFit are top notch companies that have the accumulated technology and expertise to help us achieve this mission.”

Technogym, based out of Cesena in north eastern Italy, is well-known for its cutting-edge fitness equipment.  The company will be supplying the Colorado Center with over 100 cardiovascular and strength training units that will give members and guests a one-of-a-kind experience.  The wellness center also will include Technogym’s Wellness System technology, which provides individual user performance data through software installed in every piece of equipment.

In conjunction with a customized fitness assessment, the Wellness System offers every member a roadmap that is then used to prescribe a highly engaging, customized wellness program based on his or her personal fitness or wellness goal. Members may then choose to track their activity and progress on any or all equipment or remotely through the use of My Wellness Portal.

“Our Wellness System allows both the user and the Center to gather data in a simple, user-friendly and effective manner,” said Brian Weiher, Regional Sales Developer- Commercial Division of Technogym. “We look forward to collaborating with the Colorado Center to help us track how the equipment is being used, and how we can continually make sure we are providing systems and equipment that exceed members’ expectations.”

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In addition to the Wellness System, Technogym’s cardio equipment also features VisioWEB, a built-in digital platform that allows users to watch TV, interact on social media channels, or track their workout in real time. VisioWEB will also allow users to view the Colorado Center’s internal television channel where the Colorado Center’s activities, such as cooking demos and educational programming, will be broadcast.

In addition to providing leading edge equipment, Colorado Center is engaging MediFit, a leading fitness and wellness management company to manage and operate the fitness component of the wellness center. With 220 sites in more than thirty states, Canada and Puerto Rico, and more than 2,000 employees, MediFit has broad and acclaimed expertise in designing and managing community and corporate health and fitness programs. MediFit and their clients have been recognized with several industry awards from leading organizations including C. Everett Koop; National Business Group on Health; Association for Worksite Health Promotion; OSHA; and the American Heart Association. MediFit has been in operation since 1995 and has helped Americans make healthy lifestyle choices, get fit and achieve balance in their lives.

MediFit will lead all of the fitness components of the wellness center’s day-to-day activities – everything from running a wide range of customized fitness programs and services to leading numerous group exercise classes that will appeal to members of all activity levels. These include:

• Personal training;
• Wellness coaching; and
• Group exercise classes, including aquatic exercise and cutting edge classes, led by the area’s best instructors.

“We’re committed to offering members industry-leading wellness programs tailored to individual needs that result in measurable health improvements,” said Kurt Atherton, Chief Operating Officer of MediFit. “Our dedicated and enthusiastic staff members are skilled at helping our members achieve healthier lifestyles and increase their physical fitness,” he added.

Members of the community interested in becoming a member of the wellness center at the Colorado Center for Health and Wellness should call 1-303-724-WELL or email membership@coloradocenter.com. The Center is scheduled to open in April, however anyone interested in membership is encouraged to reserve a space now by calling the number or emailing the address listed above.  A limited number of Charter Memberships are available.

High-resolution images of the TechnoGym equipment are available to the media here.

About Technogym

Technogym, The Wellness Company, creates, designs, and manufactures innovative solutions to cultivate a person’s physical and psychological wellbeing by enhancing one’s quality of life through physical activity. Technogym USA, is headquartered in Seattle, WA.  Founded in Italy more than 27 years ago, the company has grown to employ over 1,600 people at 13 branches worldwide.  Technogym was the Official Supplier for the 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, 2006 Torino, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the World Cup 2010 and will be the official fitness equipment supplier for the London 2012 Olympic Games.  Additional information may be found by visiting the company’s website at www.technogym.com.

About MediFit

MediFit Corporate Services, Inc. (MediFit) is a privately-held fitness and health management company designs and manages corporate, community and residential fitness centers throughout the United States and in three countries. For over 20 years we have collaborated with clients in the design and management of their community and corporate health and fitness programs. We employ a committed team of over 2,000 fitness and health promotion professionals and their dedication, enthusiasm and respectful attitude assure that our client-centric, community and corporate health and fitness programs motivate positive behavior change, enabling individual participants to achieve balance in their lives. To learn more about MediFit, on our website: www.MediFit.com.

• Researchers warn that a wave of inactivity could have a major long-term health impact: Researchers Believe That Physical Exercise Has Been Downgraded For Norwegian Children in Medical News Today
• Another study showing how important carbs are. The higher the carb intake, the faster an endurance athlete will be: Higher car intake = faster Ironman finish in Sweat Science
• Another reason to keep exercising for life! The incredible unaging triathlete: The incredible unaging triathlete in Sweat Science
• Scientists Isolate Hormone That Triggers Health Benefits Of Exercise in Medical News Today

Hope you’re having a great New Year and sticking to your resolutions.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This Clinical Business Manager is responsible for establishing and managing all Colorado Center for Health and Wellness clinic operations and finances.

• The individual in this position will support the Associate Medical Directors, Clinical Programs Director, and Director of Operations in respect to day-to-day clinical and financial operations of the clinic.
• Work within budget to establish and oversee a state-of-the art Wellness Clinic that delivers the highest quality service to patients while adhering to University and UPI compliant practices.
• Develop systems within the clinic related to patient registration and scheduling; electronic medical records; staffing; establishing workflow; tracking precise space usage (research vs. clinic); supply and inventory management.
• Prepare the clinical operations budget and develop strategic plans for improving financial metrics.
• Provide fiscal management of clinical areas, including charges, billings, collections, allowances, write-offs and expenditures.
• Interact with patients to ensure a positive experience and maintain an up to date knowledge of all clinic offerings and pricing information.
• Manage employee relations issues to include; staff training, scheduling, vacation requests, timesheets, and conflict resolution.
• Contribute to new business development and marketing efforts and assist with special projects and assignments as needed.

Click here for more information on requirements and qualifications, and to apply. Search for the position using reference job #16484.

This team member will provide exceptional customer service, and to help members and guests with concerns. The Reception Associate will abide by and uphold the center’s mission and values by supporting the CCHW team toward its yearly goals of member retention and growth, program participation and renewals, new member sales, and exceeding member expectations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

Service Skills

• Enthusiastically greets members and prospects on the phone and in person.
• Assists in keeping members and guests motivated throughout their center visits.
• Encourages members to visit regularly
• Increases member’s feelings of self-worth and accomplishment.
• Knows all their members and staff personally by first name.
• Provides service support at the retail areas.

Selling Skills

• Meets daily, weekly and monthly department goals as set forth by Management.
• Appropriately suggests services and programs to members and guests.

Time Management Skills

• Prepares for, attends and actively participates in staff meetings.
• Arrives for their shift in a timely manner.

Organizational Skills

• Constantly strives to improve member experience and satisfaction.
• Efficiently processes all financial transactions at Point of Sale.
• Effectively be able to multitask performing a number of different responsibilities at once.
• Assist in maintaining cleanliness and orderliness of equipment and club facilities.  Maintain cleanliness and organization of desks and retail areas.

Click here for more information on requirements and qualifications, and to apply.

MediFit Corporate Services, Inc. (MediFit) is a privately-held fitness and health management company designs and manages corporate, community and residential fitness centers throughout the United States and in three countries. For over 20 years we have collaborated with clients in the design and management of their community and corporate health and fitness programs. We employ a committed team of over 2,000 fitness and health promotion professionals and their dedication, enthusiasm and respectful attitude assure that our client-centric, community and corporate health and fitness programs motivate positive behavior change, enabling individual participants to achieve balance in their lives.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Group Exercise Manager is a high profile customer service position delivering the highest level of service to our members, exemplifying professionalism and ensuring we adhere to our mission statement. This individual contributes to member retention, as well as new membership sales and is responsible for providing our members with the best group exercise environment possible with the friendliest staff, most educated members, cleanest facility, most ethical business practices and state of the art programming.

This Individual will oversee the group exercise department and provide on-site leadership for the group exercise instructors while meeting the budgeted department goal.

This person has the responsibility of being responsive to members and being a resource for members and staff needs regarding programs and classes while in the center’s facilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Design, delivery and management of cutting edge group fitness programs that excite and encourage members to participate.
• Recruit and hire creative, enthusiastic and educated instructors to lead a variety of classes
• Manage group exercise class schedule and monitor quality and effectiveness through regular instructor audits and seeking member feedback.
• Supervise Group Exercise Instructors

• Deliver orientation, staff training and performance reviews.
• Informally audit classes frequently
• Resolve employee issues as they arise and in accordance with Company policy.
• Ensure that classes are never cancelled and instill this mentality among team of instructors.
• Hold instructors accountable for reporting class attendance; submit weekly and monthly class attendance reporting to Manager and National Group Exercise Coordinator.
• Support and facilitate continuing education by making staff aware of upcoming local events and encouraging groups of staff to participate in these events, as well as promoting certifications and specialty certifications to help grow and develop instructor versatility.
• Offer specialty training programs to staff, such as “choreography forums” to help promote team building and skill sharing at local site and among all area sites.
• Hold regular (quarterly) staff meetings.
• Establish a solid communication system between staff and all levels of management.

Mentor fitness center staff and members who are interested in learning how to teach group exercise and preparing them for the certification experience.

Click here for more information on requirements and qualifications, and to apply.