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DEL.ICIO.USOffice “Biggest Loser” Competition
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last week, I talked about some of the flaws of “The Biggest Loser” television show. However, I also talked about some of the good things that you can get from it.
An Office Trend
A trend that is beginning to pick up is a trend of business office employees competing to be “the biggest loser.” Most often, it is either the employer or manager that begins to spearhead the program. If not, he or she is a fool.
Cost to Employers
The cost of health has been sky-rocketing for employers in the past two decades, and it’s not looking any better. Studies also show that obese employees have more sick days, which leads to absenteeism and decreased worker productivity. This, of course, drives up the cost and expenses to the business and even other employees.
Other Programs not As Effective
I have heard of a few people getting together in an office to do a weight loss program like Weight Watchers, or some kind of diet like Atkins. However, no exercise is involved and you most likely will gain the weight back. The difference in a competition that is like “The Biggest Loser” is that exercise is involved.
How it might work?
To my good fortune, I have trained a couple of clients that were involved in an office competition such as this. Of course they won, but I got some details of one I thought I would share how it worked. In a group of about 10 employees, each pitched in $100 into a pool. This comes to $1000. The employer matched the the total and invested an additional $1000. The program lasted 16 weeks and you were required to incorporate a diet and exercise program (no cheaters who are looking to do liposuction). At the end of the competition, the winner gets the $2000.
What if you don’t have much weight to lose?
Now, what if you have just a few pounds to lose or you’re just wanting to get fit? Well, I will still advise you enter the competition. By investing the $100, you are more likely to make a concerted effort to get fit. If you’re already fit, you can volunteer to be a leader (which the employer will smile favorably) and your coworkers will also appreciate. You can also request that other things are measured, such as body fat and maybe include a fitness test (you should hire a professional for this).
I have read many different ways to do an office fitness and weight loss competition. The largest amount of people I am aware of involves 84 people. Unlike the body transformation programs you have seen in health clubs or Body for Life, a fitness program in the work environment can improve camaraderie and improve worker productivity. My hope is that the trend expands and continues.
Are you involved in a program similar to this or have that about starting one? Let us know about it.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: General Fitness, Health, In The News, Lifestyle, Motivation
Comments
By maggie
September 25, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
I think this is an excellent idea. I’ve been at my job for 6 years now and gained about 30 lbs total since starting. I work in a small town with the usual local country fried restaurants and a Hardee’s. Of the 25 employees here, I would say about 18 of them are overweight. The problem with small towns are they dont have exercise facilities, altho there is a nature trail just down the street that noone utilizes—I do in the spring and fall. I have recently lost 25 lbs but still have a good 10-15 to lose. I have brought up the idea of “The Biggest Loser” program, but noone wants to commit to doing it. I do better on diets/exercise programs if I have someone doing it with me and I think we could have a lot of success here, but overall, the majority are just lazy and get no exercise whatsoever. I’ll just continue doing what I’m doing on my own, for myself, but just say that I wish more companies would take the initiative to incorporate this type of program—if not to help employees be more healthy, but save money as well.
By Clint
September 25, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
At a previous job, we had a Weight Watchers “At Work” program. There weren’t any bonuses or incentives for employees to join (except to lose weight!), but we still got a small crowd to join, about 15 people. The Weight Watchers rep would come every week to do the program for us and we would track our weight weekly. I lost about 60 lb in the program, but have gained most of it back since. I need to get back on the program!
By nygal
September 25, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this
I think this is a great idea! I just e-mailed my boss and asked if we can do it. My co-workers and I have agreed on each person contributing $25 to the pool. I also used the facts in this article as an argument for letting us hold this challenge in the workplace. Let’s hope my boss thinks it’s a good idea!
By bebe
September 25, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this
Since my husband had a bypass, we have started walking and eating low fat, low sodium diet. I eat mainly pink salmon for lunch and everyone has been watching. I have lost 30 pounds so far. We walk for exercise, and I have back and pinched nerve problems, so it helps. I have been encouraging people to change their eating habits not only to lose weight, but to save money and get off fast food. Several people are trying it and save a lot and eat better.
By MountainDawg
September 25, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
I think it’s a great idea (especially with a big prize). Folks need to leverage whatever motivation they can to get into shape.
By Reality
September 25, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
You’re just encouraging a supervisor / business owner to get sued.
He helps this competition and a few weeks later needs to fire one of the folks who didn’t do to well in the competition. Yeah, they’ll claim it was because he wanted to get rid of the fat people and they didn’t lose enough weight.
He could also be sued by a large person who doesn’t want to enter the competition, but feels like the boss is embarrassing him by pointing out his fatness.
Lawsuits waiting to happen!