Keys to Sticking to New Year's Resolutions Begin on the Job

Alere Health Provides Eight Simple Tips to Help Employees Stay Healthy and Productive

ATLANTA , Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Want to hear the truth about New Year's resolutions?  Despite best intentions, the vast majority who set goals next year to lose weight, exercise more, stop smoking, etc., will fail.

According to Jennifer Lovejoy , a specialist in obesity and diabetes research with a doctorate in biopsychology, one new strategy that may help many people in 2011 is to take greater advantage of the programs and resources offered through their employee health and wellness programs.  Lovejoy is vice president of clinical development at Free & Clear, a division of Alere Inc., a company providing health management services to large employers and health plans nationwide.  

"There's no shortage of things people can do to stay healthy or improve their lives," says Lovejoy.  "The real trick is finding things that matter in your daily life and that you will actually stick to over time.  Many employees may be unaware that their employer may offer free to low-cost programs that coach them on ways to manage stress and how to make healthier food choices to better attain their New Year's goals."

Lovejoy shares a series of steps that employees at businesses nationwide can take to succeed in their New Year's resolutions:

About Alere:

Alere Health is the health management services business of Alere Inc. (previously Inverness Medical Innovations) (NYSE: ALR).  Alere, a Latin verb, meaning "to care for" or "to support," offers the most patient-centered health management services available from a single provider in the industry. Alere provides health interventions that cover an individual's entire lifespan, from pre-cradle to end-of-life care, as well as the continuum from wellness and prevention, to total health management of the individual for those having chronic illnesses.  Alere's continuum of services begins with genetic testing, preconception, pregnancy, NICU and first year of life services; continues with lifelong programs focused on health, wellness and the management of chronic conditions such as heart failure, COPD, and asthma, up to the complex care management required in end-of-life care.  For more information regarding Alere, please visit www.alere.com .

(1) Berry L, Mirabito AM, Baun WB. What's the Hard Return on Employee Wellness Programs, Harvard Business Review , December 2010 .