The Y sheds stodgy image a few pounds at a time

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When Francis Cromartie thinks about having fat-laden fast food for lunch, he glances across his desk toward Franccesca Cesti-Browne and reconsiders. Should Cesti-Browne ponder a doughnut, all she has to do is look over at Alfred Sanchez, her CEO, and she's opting for veggies or fruit. And if Sanchez weakens, well, he has Cromartie and Cesti-Browne to inspire him.

This circle of health is a part of the Greater Miami YMCA's new Healthy Lives Under Construction initiative. In mid-March, the Y rolled out phase one of the program, challenging its 750 employees to get fit through nutrition education and exercise. By May, 136 had signed up for the program and lost a collective 94 pounds.

In September, a second phase will include more exercise classes, instruction on proper eating and motivational meetings on-site.

''We took the adage: heal thyself,'' said Sanchez, 50. After all, one wouldn't hire a trainer who is overweight and gasping with every move.

The Y is following a growing trend in the corporate world, that is, on-site fitness programs. Facing healthcare costs that are growing at twice the rate of inflation, companies can reduce their premiums, cut medical costs and increase productivity if they run wellness programs or offer health incentives for their staffers.

A 2007 Miami Herald/Watson Wyatt survey of employers found that 23 percent of 573 large companies had on-site health clinics at some locations. In South Florida, American Express has an on-site clinic in Plantation. Burger King, The Miami Herald, Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union all have on-site Weight Watchers classes.

In addition, local companies like Memorial Health Care System, Baptist Health, Barry University, Miami-Dade College, the University of Miami, Comcast, AutoNation and FPL all have some type of employee health initiatives. FPL estimates that for each dollar invested in wellness, it gets $3 back, plus less sick time and greater productivity.

The YMCA program works like this: Twice a week, employees roll out the tables in a boardroom at the Doral office and don exercise gear for an aerobics class conducted by a visiting fitness instructor. Activities include Pilates, calisthenics and abdominal crunches. Nutritionists lecture on proper diet. Employees keep a log of what they're eating and their daily physical activities. Those who see the most improvements -- such as weight loss, lowered blood pressure and cholesterol readings or, in Cromartie's case, weight gain and toning -- win prizes.

Mostly, the reward comes from the camaraderie and noticeable improvements in appearance.

Sanchez, who started his health quest on Thanksgiving, has lost 53 pounds and his cholesterol has gone down 98 points. He was originally at 298; anything over 200 is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. His blood sugar level -- a key diabetes marker -- now falls under 100. It had been 110 or higher.

The positive results spilled over to his home life. ''My family joined me as well,'' Sanchez says. ``We changed our lifestyle. We had every excuse why we couldn't eat dinner together. Now, we make a healthy meal and have dinner every night together and found out we like each other! It's been great to reconnect as a family.''

Cesti-Browne, 27, has shed 11 pounds in 2 months. Her goal: Increase her level of activity and lose five pounds per month. ''I want to start off realistically,'' the director of grants says. ``This keeps you motivated. We have workshops on what kind of foods to eat, what is a realistic calorie intake, exercises you can do at your desk. It's exciting to have the support of everyone.''

Cromartie's case was different. The 20-year-old administrative assistant wasn't overweight. He was underweight at 136 pounds on his 5 foot-7 inch frame. He figured a diet of fast foods would net him the bulk he was missing. The downside: his cholesterol skyrocketed, his doctor warned.

''This plan came along with its exercise classes and health initiative meetings and we discussed a better way of gaining weight,'' Cromartie says. His plan includes more protein such as chicken, and beans, whole grains, fewer fats and sugars, and more olive oil.

Cromartie has added six pounds (four pounds away from his goal weight) and has cut his cholesterol by 20 points to 176.

''Of course, everybody else is doing it so it's a competing thing,'' he says. ``You don't want to be the only one to not complete your goal.''

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