Employee Weight Loss Challenge

I just had the distinct pleasure of sitting in on the results meeting from an Employee Weight Loss Challenge competition, held within a health system where I am consulting in NH.

I've never watched the Biggest Loser before, but TJ tells me how he sits on the couch and cries and claps, between handfuls of peanut M&Ms and Doritos. (LOL - he's lucky he's been thin his whole life!!!) I can now see why.

The celebration was really moving, and I was so impressed with the contestants, the trainers, the nutritionists and the senior leadership team who had this vision and made it happen.

So many companies are cutting back on what they can provide to their employees right now, and to see a company actually giving the gift of health to their staff was not only a breath of fresh air, but also inspiring.

When I've heard of programs that companies implement in an effort to try to get their employees to lose weight, I often think it's a good idea, and it's also probably wise because obesity is going to wreak havoc on your premiums with all the related diseases and complications. I saw it as a good idea, and a good risk strategy.

What I saw today was a senior team truly invested in the health and wellness of their workforce. As the trainers and the contestants shed their tears of joy and empowerment, the senior team was right there with them - dabbing their eyes. The energy in the room was infectious, and this was clearly a proud day for the employees and the organization as a whole.

In just 12 weeks, lives were transformed. The employees in the program, as well as the rest of the employees in the organization who were brought into the contest through the organization's drive surrounding it, were all truly given the gift of wellness.

It's up to the individual to continue down the path of health and wellness that they now have a firm foundation to proceed along. They have been given nutritional training and consulting, cooking classes, exercise plan with a personal trainer, and the winners won a new wardrobe and a $500 gift certificate for wellness equipment!

They have the tools needed to proceed along this healthy path, and they have an organization behind them that is going to encourage them every step of the way.

It was better than any weight watchers meeting I've ever attended. :) I left the meeting feeling energized, a renewed commitment to trying to lose weight more actively than I have been, and the reminder that momentum and support from a group of individuals with like goals helps propel you (or at least me) to accomplish my goals.

Bravo to this health system, and I hope to see a lot more of employers making a commitment to the health of their employees in the years to come.