How many people in your office could do with shaping up?

Sneak a look round your office right now..... How many people do you see who look fit and glowing and healthy? And how many do you see who are carrying too many extra pounds, a bit too red in the face when they climb the stairs and generally 'letting themselves go' a bit?

Chances are, there are more people around you (maybe including you) who aren't feeling as great as they could and looking as healthy as they could. But it doesn't have to be this way says the Department of Health in their report released this week highlighting the need for office staff to lose weight and get fit.

The Department of Health released a report this week entitled, ‘Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: One Year On’ The report calls for employers in the public sector to encourage staff to lose weight, starting with the NHS which the report shows has 300,000 obese staff and a further 400,000 who are overweight. Out of a total of 1.2 million employees, that’s nearly 60%.

Evidence shows that people in better physical shape feel more positive and produce better results both at work and beyond.

So looking around your office again, how many people do you think could do with shaping up, getting a bit fitter, maybe relaxing a bit more often and generally taking better care of themselves.

But what can you do about it without hurting someones feeling and crossing that line between professional and personal. Here are a few questions you could ask that will help:

1. What would make life easier and more fulfilling for the individuals concerned?

2. What could the business do to support these individuals in  making positive behaviour change?

3. How would these behaviour changes improve the lives of these individuals?

4. How would behaviour change by the individuals benefit the business?

Then consider your options. Whether it be a healthy eating plan, lunchtime activities, a lunchtime walking programme, on-site relaxation sessions or a stop smoking programme, there will be something the business can offer for everyone who’d benefit from help. When you know what will work best and have the quickest results, get started with setting it up as soon as possible.

If you are keen to do something sooner rather than later, contact The Tonic for some advice and tips. Every office has a solution, you just need to ask.