Healthy Boss, Healthy Employees - A Culture of Fitness

Chances are... you recently returned from having fun outdoors testing your abilities on your bike, board, skis, or hands and feet. You schedule long weekend rides with your friends, plan an upcoming winter snow trip to Mammoth, or looking into a cool summer kayak trip. You read up on nutrition and what gear is lighter or more comfortable. You exercise on the weekday too squeezing a workout around meetings or making time at the end of your day for a run or surf session. Changes are...you probably have something in your car from your last workout be it energy bar wrapper, running shoes, or sand from the beach. You, my friend, represent 30% of the American population that makes exercise a regular part of your day.

70% of the population lacks this lifestyle which is a shame because they are missing a rich part of life. The reasons so many people don't stay active is they don't know where to start and they think it takes a lot of time (which is kind of true, but more on that later). Motivation, energy level, and peer culture are all big factors that determine one's commitment to exercise. If you own a company or are a director, the health of your employees can hurt your bottom line with the steady rise in health costs. In the corporate world, a majority of employees don't exercise if they feel that the culture is not conducive to health and wellness. They feel they will be ridiculed for working out instead of working straight thru the day.

Being a boss (or an influential co-worker) can be a powerful tool to get people to exercise. They look up to you for guidance and judge you on how you spend your day. You workout and stay fit and they get the message: Health and Exercise are important. Like karma, the health benefits of exercise will have pay-offs for your co-workers and employees and come back to you. They will not only feel better and notice their bodies change, they will also be more alert, productive, and have an improved sense of self. You know how good you feel when fresh air flows on your face, your clothes are wet from your hard work, and your heart is pounding. Help those around you and you will see them change. If that doesn't work, tell them that people who exercise regularly have a better sex life!

Here are some ideas and tips to get your employees, team, and co-workers movin:

1. Be a role model. Show that a workout during your workday is OKAY. A 20-40 minute run can give you a new persceptive on a problem and give you energy for your day.

2. Promote a team activity together - sign up for a fun 5K walk/run and do it with them (don't kick their ass either). Take it one more level up and make it a charity event and donate your time or food for a better cause.

3. Take your meetings outside - turn weekly meetings to walking meetings, conference calls to walking calls, brainstorming session to surf session. Getting outside lets you enjoy the fresh air, sun, and nature. It also gives you and your co-worker/staff opportunity to exercise. If you like numbers, wear a pedometer and track your steps. Aim for 5000-7000 steps a day.

4. Meet your team at a yoga class or spin class. Choose an activity and invite them to a weekly class. They might feel goofy at first but then they will like the change.

5. Order healthy food – meetings littered with sweets and foods that give you a short burst of energy followed by drop in blood sugars doesn't promote health or good food for your brain. Fresh fruit and nuts are good finger foods without spiking your blood sugars. Or try hummus with fresh vegetables. And if your team always go out to lunch on Fridays, look for healthier restaurants.

Getting people to get movin' can be a bit tough, but keeping it fun and simple is the key. Know that if they get out there and walk for 15 mintues that it is like you catching waves for an hour. Be patient with your peer but keep them accountable. Give them tips for success such as packing your bag the night before and having a healthy snack (half PB&J) 90 minutes before their workout. About that time commitment... it is true that you need to spend about 5 hours a week to get the weight off, but the fun and improved lifestyle they will experience will be a great start to more positive changes.

Go get 'em boss!
Chi

(pictured above: Brendan, owner of The Hub Cyclery, promotes riding by leading weekly rides from his shop.)