Weight Management

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Maintain don’t gain for workforce health

With the number of responsibilities people face every day, it can be a challenge to keep their weight stable. By offering your employees fun and easy tools for managing their weight no matter what festivities or stressors are in their path, you can save on your health care costs while helping them stay healthier all year long.

DID YOU KNOW

A modest weight loss of 5-10% in body weight can decrease risk of heart attack or stroke.

– Pietrzykowska, obesityaction.org.

Take the first step to a fit and healthy workplace

The Maintain Don’t Gain Toolkit provides a road map to get your business on a path to higher morale, decreased stress, and lower health care costs. The full interactive toolkit is available for download below.

Step 1: Assess

Steps

Get leadership endorsement.
Gather baseline company data.

What to do

Present a business case to your leadership team on the benefits of healthy activities.
Get your company recognized for healthy activities.
Have your CEO or other leaders demonstrate their commitment to workforce health.
Survey your employees on their interest in a healthy lifestyle program.
Assess your work environment to see what you’re already doing to support nutrition at your workplace. Look at:
- vending machine contents
- policies for food at lunch and events
- whether you’re hosting healthy meetings

Tools and resources

Build a case for workforce health shows how to engage leadership with facts and figures.
Apply for the American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Worksites external link
Create your own free surveys with SurveyMonkey external link or Google.
For more ideas, see our employee interest survey.

Step 2: Plan

Steps

Promote your program.

What to do

Form a wellness committee to manage your program.
Download Maintain Don’t Gain promotional materials.
Have a company executive or your wellness coordinator send out the first promotional email to employees introducing Maintain Don’t Gain.
Print and post promotional materials in kitchen and break rooms.
Send the second promotional email to encourage employees to participate. Include:
- program start date and kickoff details, if you’re hosting one
- weight tracking tool so early adopters can get on board right away

Tools and resources

Wellness Committee Toolkit
Healthy Meetings Guide
Maintain Don’t Gain promotional materials

TIP Host a kickoff event and invite one of your top executives to speak. Include a screening of The Weight of the Nation external link.

Step 3: Engage

Steps

Send emails to your employees.

What to do

Send “Build up your health” email:
- Share the benefits of making healthy changes and managing your weight.
- Three tips for a successful weight management program: exercise, colorful foods, and a food diary.
Send “Add ‘healthy’ to every holiday helping” email:
- Swap full-fat ingredients for low- or nonfat options.
- Bring a healthy dish to a party.
- Replace heavy starches with fresh veggies.
Send “Simple ways to sneak in fitness” email:
- Move more — take the stairs or walk during your lunch break.
- Make it social — walk with coworkers/friends or run with your dog.
- Split up workouts throughout the day.
Send “Stay on track — wherever your travels take you” email:
- Pack healthy snacks for the road.
- Avoid arriving to a feast hungry so you don’t overeat.
Send “Celebrate the season with ease” email:
- Manage stress by unplugging — put down your phone or email.
- Music and dancing can lift your mood.
Send “Arm yourself with smarter snacks” email:
- Eat small meals throughout the day with healthy snacks in between.
- Stock up on fresh fruit, edamame, and air-popped popcorn.
Send “Bring your party game plan” email:
- Eat a healthy snack before arriving.
- Skip empty calories from alcohol.
Send “Here’s to the new, healthy you!” email:
- Keep up the healthy work: eat breakfast, exercise every day, and shop the outer aisles of the grocery store.