Comments on: weight loss at work

By: HRM Today - Blog Archive » Guest Post: Cheezhead

HRM Today - Blog Archive » Guest Post: Cheezhead — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:12:35 +0000

[...] am a guest blogger over at Cheezhead, today, and I’m writing about the stupidity of weight-loss competitions at work. I am also thinking about my good friends — from work & otherwise — who have inspired me to [...]

By: spacedcowgirl

spacedcowgirl — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:14:55 +0000

Whether or not weight loss is necessary and healthy in some cases, I still say that the workplace is not the engine by which it should be pursued. In fact, I agree 100% with lynnie on all counts. I could maybe get behind Rachel’s arguments, but I just don’t see any reason for the workplace to be “rewarding” anything other than good work. I usually get outvoted on this one, though, so if they must reward something I think it should be healthy behaviors (again, those are pretty tricky to define). Two people could engage in the exact same set of behaviors and have totally different weight outcomes. Most people can choose to adopt healthier habits, but they cannot necessarily “choose” to lose weight in the same way. Different bodies respond differently to different things.

Anyway, as I said, these competitions do not actually usually promote health. They promote shaming your coworkers and intruding on their privacy in the service of getting people to eat “healthy” (as if “fewer calories” is always “healthy”), not to mention they promote questionable methods of weight loss and disordered behaviors on weigh-in day. It probably doesn’t go this far in most workplaces, but people have done some crazy stuff to achieve huge losses on The Biggest Loser.

Finally, there is a difference between “panicking about the ‘obesity epidemic’ and foods that you perceive as evil” and “doing something constructive to improve your own or others’ health.” I am totally in favor of doing positive things for your health, but I don’t think the culture we currently exist in where food is pathologically feared is actually that healthy, and weight-loss competitions are a symptom of that IMO.

By: Emily

Emily — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:19:25 +0000

Actually, a loss of just 10 percent of your body weight, if you are currently obese or overweight, can have an enormous impact on your overall well-being. And as someone who lost and has kept off 45 pounds (ahem), I can tell you that it makes a HUGE difference (no pun intended) in my energy level, my self-confidence, my ability to interface with the public (a requirement in my position), and my knowledge that if a hard assignment comes my way, I have a precendent showing me I can tackle it and get it done. Losing weight (when you need to) is about WAY MORE than looking cute.
And from the healthcare perspective, your benefits folks might have a few things to point out. Just in my own case, I dropped my blood pressure from 145/90 to 102/52; and I completely eradicated my sciatica.

By: Peopleshark

Peopleshark — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:15:26 +0000

@lynnie…actually, as an HR professional, you may want to rethink your position on whether or not employers should encourage a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your Benefits leader. He or she will tell you that insurance premiums continue to rise and it’s in the employer’s best interest to promote wellness rather than foot the bill for preventable “lifestyle” related disease and illness. Not to mention the costs related to absenteeism and loss of productivity as a result of health issues. Should the company snatch the donut out of my hand? No. Should they provide more of those cute little bags of carrots in the cafeteria. Absolutely.

By: lynnie

lynnie — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:40:32 +0000

I think people at work should be working- focusing on their work, talking about their work and actually doing their work. Sure we all take little breaks and chat or have some social time at lunch, but mainly workers should be there for work. It bothers me when work tries to intrude on my private life, which is what would happen if I was at home fretting over what I should eat in order not to be embarrassed at the office weigh in.

But besides all that, I do not think employers need to encourage a “healthy” life style – whatever that is. It seems to me the definition changes every few years. I have worked with people who have all kinds of lifestyles, and I saw no connection between their exercise/eating habits and their work ability. The woman who lived on coffee and ciggs and no exercise did a great job and worked long hours just like the dancer/vegetarian health nut. They both did good work. In fact, the only employees who had outside behavior that effected their work life were the substance abusers, and I don’t think diet and exercise tips would help them. What employers need to do is provide a safe workplace with an atmosphere that is conducive to getting work done and to pay their employees on time. That’s it. My lifestyle, healthy or otherwise, isn’t any of their business and I don’t need them to be my parent and tell me how to live it.

By: Peopleshark

Peopleshark — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:27:42 +0000

I spelled “javelina” wrong. So much for “brains”.

By: Peopleshark

Peopleshark — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:22:06 +0000

If there is one characteristic of peoplesharkery, it’s eternal optimism. So I signed up for one of those office weight loss challenges. I didn’t win (despite countless hours daydreaming about the Gucci handbag that would be mine as the result of winning). I did purchase a pedometer and take several walks in the cayony-hilly area behind work, but I think I saw some havelinas, so I had to end the lunch hour nature walks. I never came in last, even if I had to weigh myself three times on the digital scale and remove mascara for the official reporting. I also remember that there were several occasions when I refused office treats (usually on weigh in day). Overall, I would call it a successful venture.

I think I will skip the challenge in 2009, but I still have that pedometer and there are a couple of walking trails near me that are havelina-free. Who says I can’t have it all? Brains, beauty, sharkiness and a Gucci purse!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:19:24 +0000

Oh, and to add to the above… if we’re also talking about these kinds of competitions in terms of the challenge it brings, sustaining a weight loss is much more difficult than losing it.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 14:18:19 +0000

I say, instead of holding “Biggest Loser” style competitions, we need to reward those “Longest Sustainers” instead. The Biggest Loser kinds of competitions might see some quick weight loss, but because of the ways in which its attained, it’s not generally sustainable. Studies have shown that yo-yo dieting and cycles in weight are probably more to blame for so-called weight-related health issues than if a person were fat and stayed fat.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:43:36 +0000

Laurie, competitions No, incouraging healthy lifestyles Yes…companies big and small can and should encourage healthy living, however in the end its personal. Taking responsibility for who you want to be is an intrinsic event…Encouragement and support are ok in my book…leave the competition for after hours…