Welcome to Hoop Gets Healthy!

Welcome to Hoop Gets Healthy!

I'm Lou Hoop, a Nashville, TN based employee benefit/wellness consultant who works with companies around the country who are interested in developing strategies to control healthcare costs and help their employees become healthier, happier, and more productive. In my opinion, the underlying problem with healthcare costs in this country is not government mandated healthcare reform(more about this later) but the health of our citizens. What I have come to realize is that I am as much a part of the problem as I want to be a part of the solution.

Life is full of defining moments: moments that capture our attention and make us question who we are and what we believe. This summer, I went down to Mississippi State University to share in the celebration of my oldest son, Josh's, participation in MSU's national champion ECOCAR team. It was a great moment watching my son celebrate with his fellow teammates - a truly remarkable accomplishment.

The media was everywhere: TV, university, newspaper, etc.... There were lots of pictures taken including the one above that showed up on the Mississippi State website. I knew that my middle area had grown but this was downright frightening!!!

I am 50 years old and supposedly have a small frame. Until my children began tower over me, I was taller than anyone in my immediate family - I am only 5'7". I played sports in middle school and high school with limited success and was a college mascot. I've never taken diet and exercise seriously. I love to cook, eat, drink moderately, and socialize with my friends. I have high cholesterol and pretty rotten liver function. I am one of those American citizens who is rapidly becoming part of the problem.

There is an old Spanish Proverb that says: "It is not the same to talk of bulls as to be in the bullring." I've come to realize that it is pretty hypocritical of me to talk to employers about wellness solutions when I'm not in the "bullring" myself.

This blog has two goals.

1. Help employers understand how wellness can be the key to controlling healthcare costs, providing stable benefits, and unleashing the productivity of their company like they never imagined.
2. Allow interested observers to follow my progress as I attempt to become part of the solution and climb in the bullring!

I'll be adding posts weekly to the blog to report on my progress and also how wellness can help your company.

Talk to you soon!