Colonial’s wellness programme has received a makeover and a new name in a bid to get more people off the couch.

Since the insurer introduced the programme it has seen more than 5,000 participants in more than 60 companies leading a healthier lifestyle, the company said.

Colonial introduced a comprehensive wellness programme which included an exclusive agreement with wellness platform Virgin Pulse. It is now being renamed Zest in a bid to attract more companies and people to take part.

“The health issues in Bermuda are very well documented,” said Jacqueline Perreault, Colonial’s corporate wellness director.

“An awful lot of those issues are preventable. Quite often all it takes is a changing a few habits.

“I know is sounds like a cliché, but we really want to try and give people a new zest for life.

“With Zest it is also a lot harder to give up after a few weeks — let’s face it, we’ve been there, committed to the gym and then stopped after a few weeks.

“With Zest we give participants the resources and tools they require in all aspects of wellness to engage in positive behaviour changes that will be with them for life.”

She said Bermuda had a range of health issues that needed addressing such as diabetes and obesity – it is estimated that 70 percent of the Island’s population is overweight or obese.

A documentary on health in Bermuda, Greezin (https://youtu.be/8Gdr7Hhxghg) said the Island was spending more on healthcare per person than anywhere else in the world.

Colonial said participants in its programme are moving more, lowering their blood pressure and body mass index and reducing their risk of chronic disease such as diabetes and heart disease.

A new Wellness Website www.zestwellnesscgi.com provides an overview of the Zest Wellness programme along with a blog www.zestwellnesscgiblog.com that showcases the latest in programme developments, health trends and ‘rock star’ members.

All Colonial’s Premier Health members are eligible for the Zest Wellness Programme and can sign up at join.virginpulse.com/colonial.

Ms Perreault added: “It has been clearly documented that if employees join a wellness programme it reduces claims made by their employer due to higher productivity and absenteeism, less sick days, and greater morale in the workplace.”