Inspiring Wellness Success Story 15

Next in our series of success stories from our wellness programmes, two examples of how easy it can be to achieve dramatic results with simple but consistent changes to a daily routine.

These two people each took a slightly different approach during their programme.  One of them was motivated to focus on their exercise routine, while the other prioritised changes to their food schedule.

The results speak for themselves:

'I have never felt or been fitter, and the results are much more energy, optimism and emotional resilience, which got me through a particularly tough time at work.'

'I feel much better during the day: with more energy.'

Here's a review of how they made wellness work

1) Exercise & resilience

• The date of the programme you attended

November 2011

• The lifestyle changes you made during programme

I attended one exercise class, or went swimming, virtually every day of the programme

• The lifestyle changes you made following programme

Initially, just an attempt to exercise more, and more regularly

• The lifestyle changes that have stuck with you to the present day

Now, I exercise in the morning, twice a week, and I go spinning at least one other morning a week

• The secrets of your success with wellbeing

A regular commitment is vital

• What advice that you received made the greatest impact on you?

You have time to keep yourself fit – but you have to work at finding that time

• The biggest benefits of making your lifestyle changes?

I have never felt or been fitter, and the results are much more energy, optimism and emotional resilience, which got me through a particularly tough time at work. And I look better so I am more confident

• When wellbeing is working for you, what are the key elements that make the difference?  

Regular exercise, taking a healthy breakfast, having several alcohol-free evenings a week

2) Eating for Energy

• The date of the programme you attended

September 2011

• The lifestyle changes you made during programme

Started eating every 3 hours and much more healthy food

• The lifestyle changes that have stuck with you to the present day

Continued to eat every 3 hours and much more healthy food plus exercising regularly

• The secrets of your success with wellbeing

Sleeping regularity plus healthier food, eating every 3 hours and exercising more frequently

• What advice that you received made the greatest impact on you?

The healthy eating presentation.  It made a huge difference on me – I lost 12 kg since the beginning of the programme!

• The biggest benefits of making your lifestyle changes?

I feel much better during the day: with more energy!

If you'd like to discuss wellness modules for your leadership, training and development programmes, email us on info@the-tonic.com

Read previous instalments of wellness success stories here

Image by Flickr:  Melly Kay Customs

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Fit for Work? The Boss may be counting your calories

Thanks to a new Big Brother-style gadget being adopted by American companies — and coming to Britain early next year — bosses can measure exactly how many calories you are burning in a day and compare the data with “performance benchmarks”.

In other words: staying in shape might soon become as important as getting to the office on time.

I'm all for new ways to motivate staff to improve their health and wellbeing and I'm sure this gadget will work for some. You can read more about it here.

It won't be for everyone though, so what businesses who adopt it must do, along with all organisations putting wellbeing programmes in place, is aim to devise a range of initiatives - a menu of interesting wellbeing services - that ensures there is something for everyone. This means tackling the key areas of health and wellbeing - exercise, nutrition and stress management - with creative solutions that fit the various schedules and priorities of the workforce.

This is the most simple way for businesses to make wellbeing easy for every single employee. Not only can there be no more excuses for not participating in something relating to improving wellbeing and performance; better than that, all members of staff will be able to find something healthy that inspires them and that will guarantee they get a great result.

One size wellbeing does not fit all so when planning initiatives, take care to sample individuals to find out what they would find useful and make sure your solutions cater for everyone.

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