Launch a Successful Workplace Weight Loss Program: A Step-by-Step Guide

Most people would like to lose at least some weight, but many office jobs force you to spend hours and hours at your desk. Workplaces have vending machines that tempt you with snack cakes, cookies, candy and sodas. But a positive new trend is emerging that combats the sedentary, calorie-laden minefields in today's offices. Weight-loss groups are being organized at many companies and it's relatively easy to start one. More and more employers find that such programs increase productivity and reduce health-care costs.

Instructions

• 1

  Obtain your employer's consent. This can be as easy as speaking with your office supervisor or as formal as drafting a memo that includes the names of people interested in forming a weight-loss support group. Ask for permission to hold meetings during lunch or after work on the premises.

• 2

  Spread the word via word of mouth or email. Provide a signup sheet for those who are interested.

• 3

  Workouts should last from 30 minutes to an hour, but no longer. Follow a regular format for your workout regime to avoid wasting time. At the first meeting, discuss the goals for the group and ask each member to set a fitness goal. Encourage the use of daily food logs and journals, calorie counters, pedometers, and healthy recipes.

• 4

  Emphasize healthy weight loss through balanced nutrition, moderate exercise and behavior modification. Research has shown this combination, used within a supportive environment, leads to better results. If your workplace has a gym, arrange to have workouts there at least three days a week. Try to go out for a healthy meal afterward.

• 5

  Foster an informal environment to ensure that employees feel comfortable sharing their frustrations, temptations and successes or failures. Come up with strategies to surmount difficulties and celebrate successes when they occur.