Workplace Weight Loss

Obesity is a growing problem. Employers are beginning to understand the severity of the problem and its implications on employees. It is estimated that US employers spent over $13 billion last year on lost work time and insurance premiums resulting from obesity. As a result, many have initiated programs to support weight loss and healthy lifestyle and eating habits.

As a part of many employer-based health insurance plans, online health and fitness trackers are available for free. Programs will vary – some will track for daily diet, some for exercise routines, and many include diabetes-centered programs. Some companies even offer incentives or medical discounts for participating. To see if these programs are available to you, check with your employer or log in to your insurance provider’s web site.

If online tracking programs are not available through your employer, try talking to your coworkers about weight loss and working together. Having the support of others and turning healthy eating habits into a competition can be a great incentive and can even make weight loss (dare we say it) fun. There are many different ideas available on how to effectively organize a workplace weight loss program. Competitions with cash pools are common, as is the simpler method of regularly scheduling a healthy group lunch.

For those in a larger workplace, it may be possible to find and network with others that live with diabetes. Sharing ideas and best practices is a great way to find new ideas that apply to your specific work situation. For smaller workplaces or where diabetes networking is not an option, consider even just discussing your needs with friends at work. Letting others know about your dietary needs is also a great way to avoid temptation – it often leads others to make better choices when it comes to healthy group snacks, lunches, or celebrations.

Gaining the support and help of others does improve the odds of successful weight loss. Time at work comprises about half of the time a person is awake each day. For those that work full-time, using the tools provided by your employer and gaining the support of coworkers is very helpful.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/514572-friendly-workplace-weight-loss-competition-ideas/
http://www.forbes.com/2008/01/11/obesity-workplace-cdc-ent-hr-cx_kw_0110whartonobesity.html
http://www.fitsugar.com/Prevent-Weight-Gain-Work-18909714
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/exercise-at-your-desk