I’ve shared that I started my weight loss “journey” in January 2010. At the same time a group of co-workers and I started up a wellness program, “Wellness Works”, at our office. We applied for and received some grant money through our health insurance company to help support our program.
Through the program we started a walking group (walking each day at lunch outside of the office), a yoga class, a weight watchers group, “snack attacks” (bringing healthy foods in for employees to show them how to snack healthy), lunch and learn programs which bring in speakers to discuss health-related topics, and an annual health fair. The program was a great success last year. I think it put a lot of people in a healthier mind-set and I know that it helped me kick-start my efforts. This year I am the chair of the wellness committee.
Unfortunately this year we lost our grant money due to the fact that our health insurance company is going out of business, so we are struggling a little to keep the program going. Our executive director has offered to give us funds, but not until the new budget starts in July. So we are trying to do a few things with a little money left over from last year.
In January we started our first annual Weight Loss Challenge at the office. Twelve of us have weighed in weekly for 9 weeks and today was our last weigh-in. I am so incredibly proud of this small group! It’s inspiring to see others support and encourage each other to reach their goals.
I’m proud to say that I have lost 6 pounds in the challenge and have lost an inch around my bust, hips, and waist! Overall our group has lost 48.6 pounds!! I’m so proud of my co-workers and am happy to be a part of such a healthy initiative like this program.
As chair of our wellness program, I have organized a group to participate in a local 5K in May. Twenty people in our office have signed up to be a part of the race…so awesome! I love seeing people get excited about being healthy, as nerdy as that sounds!
It really helps me to have people around me working towards the same goals as I am. I couldn’t do it without the support of my family, friends and now co-workers! I hope that I have been as much as an encouragement to them, as they have been to me.
What can you do to encourage a healthy lifestyle in others around you?
