What you need to know
You can prevent or improve chronic inflammatory disease states by focusing on the gut microbiome and overall gut health.
Participating in a healthy gut challenge can help you understand the lifestyle factors that optimize your gut health, decrease inflammation, and improve your overall energy.
How the Challenge Works
This plan includes a five-class series that prepare you for a 21-day healthy gut challenge. The challenge will move your health baseline and get you on your way to feeling your best. After the challenge, a sixth and final class will wrap up your program.
If alarm symptoms are noted during this Health Action Plan, you will be asked to meet with an onsite health care provider for review and referral to an offsite specialist.
Employee spouses are not eligible to participate in this Health Action Plan. But, those enrolled in Sandia medical coverage can complete certain activities for up to $100 each year. Go to Join a Health Action Plan to learn more.
Your Checklist
Your first step is to complete the challenge pre-assessment questionnaires and return them to the program administrator.
Attend the first five healthy gut classes in order. Class recordings are available upon request if you are unable to attend the live classes.
Meet with a registered dietitian for a nutrition consult.
Complete a 21-day healthy gut challenge.
After completing the 21-day challenge, complete your post-assessment questionnaires and return them to your program administrator.
Attend the healthy gut wrap-up session.
Resources and Supporting Activities
- Fitness classes – Our staff of certified exercise professionals offer a variety of onsite group fitness classes. To participate, you must complete the PAR-Q form.
- Fitness facilities – Fitness facilities are open to the entire workforce and offer a variety of cardio and resistance training equipment, perfect for morning, lunchtime, or after-work exercise sessions. To use the facilities, you must complete the PAR-Q form, and in New Mexico, you must also schedule a gym orientation. Call 505-844-2437 to schedule your orientation.
- Energy Hubs – Our Energy Hub locations are spaces for mindfulness, meditation, stretching, and movement that can help you recharge, restore, and renew your mind and body for increased productivity, health, and safety.
- NutriChats
- Request a consultation with an onsite dietitian (call 505-284-4700).
- Lifestyle Log
- Foodsmart
- Whil
- Virgin Pulse – Track your activity and healthy habits
- MyFitnessPal – Track your food
- Best Kept Secret in Medicine (video)
- Mindful Eating (video)
- The Importance of the Microbiome (video)
- Probiotics: Uncovering the Truths and Myths (video)
- Essentials of Sleep for Productivity (video)
- Food as Medicine (video)
- The Gut Glucose Connection (video)
- Food Connection Lessons from the Blue Zones (video)
- In Sync with Your Circadian (video)
- Dealing with Acid Reflux or Heartburn (video)
Earn Virgin Pulse points
- Receive 500 Virgin Pulse points for viewing videos
- Receive 1,000 Virgin Pulse points for attending an appointment or live class
Contact Employee Health Services
Preventive Health Services (New Mexico)
505-284-4700, Option 1 (phone lines open at 7 a.m.)
MO307 (behind Buildings 831 and 832)
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT, Monday through Friday
Preventive Health Services (California)
925-294-3500
Building 925 and MO32/Life Design Center
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday
Quick Tip
Each week you will receive an email with tips and bonus activities related to this Health Action Plan. Get the most out of your program by reviewing your tips and trying out the suggested activities.