Noticing the national trend toward higher body weights and less physically active lifestyles in the results of our employees’ regular School Bus Physicals, we tried to think of way to improve health at our company. We created a Biggest Loser-style program.
We used our Driven Driver Challenge (DDC) as a motivator to encourage Hoglund Transportation employees to live healthier lifestyles. Over the span of four months, the participants learned how to live in healthy ways, starting with the basics of eating right and how to exercise. Professionals led weekly sessions in diet and nutrition, and in the gym. After being taught, participants were tested on what they learned, in one way or another. At the end of the four months we hoped to see improvement in each of the participants’ overall lifestyles.
To be a part of the DDC the employees signed a written contract stating the terms of the challenge. Some of those terms included the cost of joining, $20.00 once a month (1/2 the cost of the monthly gym membership), and agreeing to commit to the program. Attendance at weekly nutrition meetings was mandatory. The only people not allowed to participate were those with to poor overall health and people who’d undergone digestion-altering surgeries in the past five years. The contract also listed the award for the winner: a trip for one week to the winner’s choice of destination, a $300.00 voucher for airfare, and the “pot” of cash collected over the weeks for various activities.
After signing the contract, participants received a journal to document their eating and exercising habits. We used the journal to award points at the weekly meetings. The person with the most points won the weekly prize donated by generous local businesses. Participants earned points for how they ate, the number of times they visited the gym, and for how much weight/overall body weight percentage they lost. Participants who set goals also received points.
During the weekly mandatory meeting, participants weighed in ($1.00). Extra dollars were collected for any pound gained, for missed meetings, and for refusals to weigh. At meetings we listened to a certified nutritionist (Jen) who was always in attendance. Participants could go over meal ideas and discuss what was working-and what wasn’t. Also, we often consulted with one another to gain ideas for new recipes. We kept approved recipe copies on a table in the meeting room throughout the four-month program along with nutrition booklets so participants and other employees had unrestricted access to them. During our meetings, participants asked any questions of the nutritionist and received quick and clear answers. The participants used the information obtained at these meetings to help lead them toward improved health.
At The Rink participants went over all the basics of exercising with Eddie. He taught us about how good nutrition increases our workout productivity. He offered constant examples of good eating habits for before and after workouts. He taught the proper way to use each of the many exercise machines available at The Rink. Participants learned about exercises that would push them, but not overwork them. Eddie taught us how to rotate our focus area each day so as to not overwork the muscles and cause damage. On Sundays at noon Eddie would host a “Boot Camp” for one hour, during which he created a variety of stations for the participants, each time showing us new ways to get active either alone or with a partner. The sessions were open to anyone, and it only cost $10.00 each time.
Our DDC resulted in not one, but two winners and our winners are Melissa and Shelley. Melissa says she learned two major things from this program: it’s not just about how much she eats, it’s about what she eats, and that exercising is more than losing weight, it’s about getting stronger, healthier and enjoying life. Overall she lost 40 lbs, meeting her initial goal.
Shelley said, “The best thing I learned is I don’t have to starve myself to lose weight.” She stated she was very happy to learn she could eat good fats like peanut butter and almonds that she wouldn’t eat before. Overall, she lost 17.6 lbs. Both winners won the grand prize.
Our actual food plan looks like this:
Breakfast: 2 grains, 1 dairy, 1 fruit
3 Hours Later: 1 grain, 1 fruit
Lunch: 2 grains, 1 dairy, 1 fruit, 1-2 vegetable, 3 oz. protein
3 Hours Later: pick 2 groups, about 200 calories
Supper: 2 grains, 1 dairy, 2 vegetable, 3 oz. protein
Each person wrote a statement about what most mattered to him or her during the four-month program. Some of what they wrote is exceptional:
• “…I’m very proud of EVERYONE involved in this…”
• “…I can teach my new habits to my family and keep them healthy…”
• “…learning to eat more natural versus using so many substitutes or fat frees…”
• “…eat more fiber bread rather than low-calorie bread…”
• “…her motivation is just astonishing and makes me just want to follow along…”
• “…I’m playing with my children, not just watching…”
• “…it has helped improved my mental health and self-esteem…”
• “…even at my age I can do a lot of things to be strong and healthy…”
• “…these ‘food rules’ work to create a healthy body…”
Because of DDC we were not only able to learn how to lose weight, but how to live a healthier lifestyle. Considering that was our initial goal, DDC was a very successful program. Learning how to live in a healthy way has benefitted each participant in a different way, all of which are positive. More than a challenge to get into shape, this was a challenge to change our lives for the better. In the end this program has made a big difference in the participants’ lives, and like Jen said, “Once you know this stuff, you can never unlearn it. It’ll stay with you a lifetime!” We think she’s right.
