In the flurry to excel in business and family life, health often takes a back seat. But enjoying the fruits of a better lifestyle are not as difficult as one might think, said the co-ordinator of a corporate fitness and lifestyle programme.

"It may mean taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking an extra block away from work. There are options,'' said Ms Jennifer Smatt, a 20-year-old Northwestern University student and former Olympic swimmer.

"The health of a company begins with the health of its employees. Healthier employees are more productive.'' The beneficiaries of the health and fitness programme were 24 employees of Johnson & Higgins (Bermuda) Ltd. and 12 from Trimingham Brothers as well as a dozen Government department heads.

"The aim of the programme was to suit the individual needs of each participant,'' said Ms Smatt.

The programme is part of Ms Smatt's counselling psychology degree requirements and done in association with the Employee Assistance Programme of Bermuda.

The programme, with fitness advisors Ms Anne Mello and Mr. Victor Ruberry assisting, spanned four weeks and concludes this week.

An organised walk for participants is in the works for later this month. Ms Smatt will work at the Employee Assistance Programme for the summer then enter her senior year at Northwestern in September.

"For three weeks prior to the programme, I researched the local fitness organisations and researched the three participants, Government, Trimingham's and J&H to see how they worked and to get an understanding of what their work days were like,'' she said.

"This is about a change in lifestyle. It is not a trend. It has to be continuous.'' Participants completed a food and activity log and discussed the entries.

"It is amazing how they have changed their lifestyles. The participants who said they has the least time are the ones we've seen the biggest changes.'' Exercise assists in stress relief and works as a coping mechanism. There are so many benefits, other than the immediate ones, from discipline to acceptance of self, she said.

Faced with the task of preparing a seminar on the topic of her choice, it is not surprising Ms Smatt chose a health and fitness programme.

Ms Smatt is a well known athlete in Bermuda.

She competed for Bermuda as a swimmer in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and retired from international competition after the recent Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia.

But she will continue to compete in NCAA division one for North western and will swim 25 to 30 hours per week.

After she completes her degree, Ms Smatt said she plans to continue her education with a Masters degree, possibly in sports psychology. She currently maintains a grade point average above 3.0.

"The fitness and lifestyle programme has sparked my interest in sports psychology,'' she said.

"I though it was an excellent idea,'' said participant Mr. Malcolm Gregory, director of personnel ser vices and secretary to the Public Services Commission.

"I think many people, because of work and family commitments, don't take enough time to look after physical condition,'' he said.

Mr. Gregory, who embarked on a fitness programme four years ago said he was contacted by Ms Smatt. He in turn recruited other Government heads.

"I firmly believe it has focussed our minds on the significance of regular exercise and eating properly.'' MS JENNIFER SMATT -- Health and productivity linked