I'm a fan of The Biggest Loser television show. While I do believe that the dramatic results and extreme weight loss of the contestants can be misinterpreted by viewers who expect to see the same results at home, I find the show to be very inspiring. At the beginning of the season, contestants are run through a battery of tests and then we are privy to the conversation between them and the resident doctor, Dr. H, about their current health status, which is often in crisis. Half way through the season, the contestants are tested again and we, the viewers, are again shown the results, which are often dramatic.
Multiple sources report that a modest weight loss (5-10% of body weight) can reduce blood pressure, reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes, improve sleep patterns in those with apnea, improve lung function, and reduce risk of certain cancers. More recent studies are reporting that moderate activity (30-45 minutes of brisk walking 5 times per week) help boost the immune system. You can read an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal about benefits of exercise here.
The question: Can someone see positive health changes in 9 weeks?
Yesterday we kicked off a new challenge at one of our HeLP groups. This challenge is designed to last 9 weeks and is based on biometric data collected at the beginning and the end. We track several categories both health and non-health related: blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, participation in on-site activities, etc. Participants are scored based on their results - the more they improve, the better they score. Those who maintain their already "normal" numbers are scored the highest in each respective category. The participants even received a report of their BMR, estimating the number of calories each person needs to maintain his or her body weight. Being armed with this number is a great opportunity for successful weight management. As with any group, there will be some who do not make any changes and this will make them the control group. For those who do make changes - hopefully for the better - I am excited to see the results!
The JFA Worksite Wellness Team shares stories, tips and information about living well, or doing the best they can, while balancing life and working as worksite wellness professionals.
