Thursday, October 30, 2008
By Alex Lieber
Director of Content
When it comes to stress and weight gain, your workplace is usually the culprit. Demanding bosses, unforgiving deadlines, nasty co-workers or clients - and let's not forget workplace candy and vending machines - can add up to high blood pressure and obesity.
But can the workplace become a place where you lose weight and lower your blood pressure? That was the question at the heart of a year-long Emory University study.
At Dow Chemical Company, the company made changes to encourage employees to eat better, get more physical activity and learn how to take better care of themselves. The effort was part of a program called LightenUP, conducted in partnership with Emory University's Institute for Health and Productivity Studies.
Employees at nine Dow Chemical locations around the U.S. had access to walking trails and pedometer programs and were provided with healthy options in vending machines and cafeterias.
Furthermore, the company distributed information on fitness and weight-management programs and provided health assessments and individual consultations. Employees could also participate in online behavior change programs.
At three locations, employees had individual access to Dow's traditional health promotion program, which focuses on education and behavior change, but not the extensive workplace intervention.
Researchers found that employees at the nine locations enjoyed a significant reduction in their risk of high blood pressure and maintained a steady weight when compared to employees at sites who only received individual help.
So will your office become a place for fitness in the future? Maybe. More studies like this one are being done at other companies. The effort is aimed at fighting heart disease, diabetes and obesity at work, since people spend the majority of their time in the office.
However, you don't have to wait for a company initiative to start at your office. The following steps can help you take matters into your own hands:
1. Go for a walk. Sitting in front of the computer all day can get boring. And staring at a monitor for hours at a time can take a toll on your eyes. At lunch, go for a brisk walk. Nothing fancy -- 10 minutes is enough. Even something as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator can help you burn some extra calories. The key is to get moving.
2. Start bringing your lunch to work. That way, you'll have complete control over portion size and save a few bucks. You can also bring in some healthy snacks to keep you away from the office vending machine. You'll lose weight without even trying!
3. Join a gym near your office. If you're looking for something a little more intense than walking, find a nearby gym that you can visit during lunch. Keep your gym clothes in your car and drive over during your break (or walk if it's really close). It's easier to work out at midday -- you're too busy getting ready for work in the morning, and you're too tired to exercise after a long day in the cube.
4. Pair up at work. Find a coworker who's also interested in working out. Work for a large company? Ask around -- you could end up making new friends. Plus, having someone to motivate you and keep you in check makes sticking to a fitness plan even easier.
And if you're feeling especially motivated, host a weight-loss contest among your peers. In the end, everyone wins -- or loses, depending on how you look at it.
Does your employer have a wellness program? How do you stay healthy in the office? Let us know by leaving a comment!
Like this post? Check these out, too:
-- 6 Ways to Prevent Heart Disease
--4 Heart-Healthy Foods
--Put Your Food on a Low-Sodium Diet
Director of Content
When it comes to stress and weight gain, your workplace is usually the culprit. Demanding bosses, unforgiving deadlines, nasty co-workers or clients - and let's not forget workplace candy and vending machines - can add up to high blood pressure and obesity.
But can the workplace become a place where you lose weight and lower your blood pressure? That was the question at the heart of a year-long Emory University study.
At Dow Chemical Company, the company made changes to encourage employees to eat better, get more physical activity and learn how to take better care of themselves. The effort was part of a program called LightenUP, conducted in partnership with Emory University's Institute for Health and Productivity Studies.
Employees at nine Dow Chemical locations around the U.S. had access to walking trails and pedometer programs and were provided with healthy options in vending machines and cafeterias.
Furthermore, the company distributed information on fitness and weight-management programs and provided health assessments and individual consultations. Employees could also participate in online behavior change programs.
At three locations, employees had individual access to Dow's traditional health promotion program, which focuses on education and behavior change, but not the extensive workplace intervention.
Researchers found that employees at the nine locations enjoyed a significant reduction in their risk of high blood pressure and maintained a steady weight when compared to employees at sites who only received individual help.
So will your office become a place for fitness in the future? Maybe. More studies like this one are being done at other companies. The effort is aimed at fighting heart disease, diabetes and obesity at work, since people spend the majority of their time in the office.
However, you don't have to wait for a company initiative to start at your office. The following steps can help you take matters into your own hands:
1. Go for a walk. Sitting in front of the computer all day can get boring. And staring at a monitor for hours at a time can take a toll on your eyes. At lunch, go for a brisk walk. Nothing fancy -- 10 minutes is enough. Even something as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator can help you burn some extra calories. The key is to get moving.
2. Start bringing your lunch to work. That way, you'll have complete control over portion size and save a few bucks. You can also bring in some healthy snacks to keep you away from the office vending machine. You'll lose weight without even trying!
3. Join a gym near your office. If you're looking for something a little more intense than walking, find a nearby gym that you can visit during lunch. Keep your gym clothes in your car and drive over during your break (or walk if it's really close). It's easier to work out at midday -- you're too busy getting ready for work in the morning, and you're too tired to exercise after a long day in the cube.
4. Pair up at work. Find a coworker who's also interested in working out. Work for a large company? Ask around -- you could end up making new friends. Plus, having someone to motivate you and keep you in check makes sticking to a fitness plan even easier.
And if you're feeling especially motivated, host a weight-loss contest among your peers. In the end, everyone wins -- or loses, depending on how you look at it.
Does your employer have a wellness program? How do you stay healthy in the office? Let us know by leaving a comment!
Like this post? Check these out, too:
-- 6 Ways to Prevent Heart Disease
--4 Heart-Healthy Foods
--Put Your Food on a Low-Sodium Diet
Labels: health health, hight blood pressure, obesity, office weight gain, work health, workplace health
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