Team support proves invaluable in challenge
Juggling their schedules to find time for exercise and meal planning is probably the largest obstacle for many of the teams participating in the Fittest Loser At Work Challenge.
But team members are finding strength in numbers. Encouragement and motivation are key strategy factors for many teams.
Some teams have been focusing on physical activity while others have made diet their priority. It's only Week 3 of the competition, but the FLAB-U-LESS 5, a team from the Elk Grove Park District, is in full swing. Team members have been working out with a personal trainer, both individually and as a group. That includes spending time at the Biggest Loser Resort in Bloomingdale.
Team members say that they find exercising with each other "fun and motivating." Some recent accomplishments include completing a TRX class and practice running in preparation for a 5K race. In the near future, team members also plan to meet one-on-one with a registered dietitian.
Meanwhile, the Pump Supply Pounders from Pump Supply, Inc. in Elgin, have been focusing on watching what they eat. A few of its members have been deterred by a cold in the past two weeks, which has made exercise difficult. Still, between coughing and sneezing, some members have still been able to shed a few pounds.
In the near future, the group plans to schedule a visit from a personal trainer to its Elgin office to offer additional weight-loss tips.
In Palatine, many members of the BIK Chippin Pounds Away team from BIK & Co, LLP have also experienced the sniffles, and therefore, avoided exercise. However, the team has been making up for it by watching its diet.
Sarah Schmidt is "drinking tons of water, avoiding baked goods, keeping chocolate off the menu and eating smaller healthy dinners before 8 p.m." She also scheduled a few future Fittest Loser activities into her calendar.
When it comes to support and encouragement, this team is sticking together closely. Apparently, this is especially the case when co-workers bring doughnuts into the office as an "energy boost."
"I try to eat well even with all the goodies in the office," says Jen Grealish, who brings a lunch to work.
Another significant obstacle that this team has to overcome is its schedule.
"When we're all working more and working harder, it becomes easier to neglect self-care even as it becomes more essential to help manage the additional stress," says Team Captain Michelle Winkleman. "So we've been doing our best to stay connected when we can to communicate and encourage each other."
Schedule juggling is also an obstacle for another team. The Elmhurst Shrinking Waistliners, a team from the city of Elmhurst, has been finding it challenging to incorporate a daily exercise program and change its eating habits.
"Aligning our schedules to work together is our biggest challenge," says Team Captain Valerie Johnson. "It is hard to make lifestyle changes and find time to take care of yourself. It is equally challenging to do it as a team."
But the team believes that it can be done through team motivation and encouragement. Team members have decided to hold each other accountable for their commitment to the challenge and offer support to each other.
"When we meet as a group or one-on-one, it gives us time to talk about what is going well and any struggles or challenges we are facing as well as sharing accomplishments," says Johnson. "As an example, one team member shared how hard it is to walk into a fitness center and start any program. It's very intimidating. Another team member was able to offer encouragement and partner together on workouts."