When I first came across #Fitfluential on Twitter, I loved the word. I loved how it blended fitness and influence in a positive way. I know brands like the influence that the Fitfluential community can have on consumers, but what I value most is being able to influence (inspire?) friends near and far to pursue a healthy lifestyle and embrace fitness. Lately, I’ve made progress being “fitfluential” at work. Some people at work know me from my “before” days, but most know me as someone who is fit, enjoys running, and brings her own food to lunch meetings. I am trying to be more open about my own fitness activities at work, and being bolder about encouraging others to make healthier choices at lunch, take advantage of the free gym we have downstairs, and participate in the weekly yoga class and walking clubs offered at work.
One thing I am doing is to push for “Yoga Wear Wednesdays.” A yoga instructor associated with the gym downstairs leads a weekly yoga class in one of our “activity” rooms (an under-furnished conference room). I am embarrassed to admit how hard it is to peel myself away from my desk for an hour and walk a few steps down the hallway to take a fantastic yoga class. I found that dressing down on Wednesdays, so I don’t have to change in and out of dressy work clothes, makes it easier.
My collection of Athleta tops and dresses make it easier to pull off!
Since I am a partner, I pretty much can wear whatever I want, but I think anyone who is going to yoga class should be able to dress down too. There was an article in The Washington Post a few weeks ago about offices that have a “Workout Wear Friday.” I think that gives me more leverage to push for an official Yoga Wear Wednesday dress code policy, don’t you?
I also am getting involved in our new Wellness Committee, but we are having a hard time thinking of things that we could do to encourage people to make healthier food choices and be more active. We would like to banish cheesy croissant sandwiches from the cafeteria and overhaul the snack machine offerings, but that “big brother” approach might not go over so well. If you have any ideas of programs that people will actually take advantage of, I would love for you to share them in the comments or by email (Got2Run4Me [at] gmail [dot] com).
If you want to learn more about Fitfluential and become part of the Fitfluential community (you don’t have to be a blogger!), you can find out more here.
Does your work do anything to promote wellness?
What could your office do to encourage you to be more active?
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I love this! The school where I teach recently started a Wellness Committee which I am a part of – we have Wellness Wednesdays which include healthy snacks and then before school quick workouts!
That’s a great idea. I think they may put out fresh fruit on Wednesdays.
I love that you have access to yoga right down your hall. And jealous that you can take an hour away to go to a class! Being in comfy clothes definitely makes it easier. I work in the wellness/fitness/healthcare field and it’s tough. My own employer doesn’t really promote it well. It’s always a battle.
It is ridiculous how hard it is to break away, but I am trying to make an effort.
I love the idea of a wellness day once a week. In my job, I’m always looking for ways to get my clients active and eating well– but, its a struggle.
I find that wearing even just my sports bra under my work clothes (although I work in a very casual environment) is enough to keep me on track to get my workout done after work. I think you look very professional – especially the middle picture, really cute!
I would think that adding healthy food choices is a good way to start as opposed to eliminating too many of the old icky stuff. But, talking about your personal health choices is the best idea – – be the example. Don’t just talk about it.
Thanks! It’s hard to be comfortable with talking about it without feeling like I’m bragging, but I can work something in once in a while!
My husbands company have done this fantastic thing for their employees. They have tied up with a major gym who have various branches all over the city. The company employees get a 15% discount for joining. These guys also work out together so they are encouraging each other all the time. Also they have a relaxed thursday every week where in they can wear whatever they like.
That’s great. The gym here is actually free, and it does get a fair amount of use, but so many of us want to do their work and go home. It’s hard to get people to stay and sweat!
I love the idea of yoga Wednesday! But I don’t think my husband would. He’d be more inclined to do something more “manly”. I just recently read about Action Wipes (full-body wipes). I wonder if people might like those so they can quickly freshen up after getting a little sweaty during lunch. And what about having some sort of contest and have awesome fit products as prizes? I love the idea of offering healthy food choices. But I don’t think you should ban junk food. People don’t like to be told how to live their life. Ultimately, they need to make the choice themselves.
Hah! There was one guy who used to come to yoga, but not any more. Looking into the Action Wipes is a great idea.
Love, love, love this post!! I teach on a college campus out in California and I sometimes find the need to balance “access” to yoga wear with professional clothes challenging. But there are a couple times where I can pull it off by wearing yoga tanks under my black (or other solid color) shift dresses and boots over my yoga leggings. With a belt and a jacket, I look like I’m dressed for work. But this also made changing into my yoga clothes in a short amount of time (and hitting the mat) so much easier! Thanks for being such a great fitness inspiration for professional ladies!
Yup, sounds like my Yoga Wear Wednesday outfits! Like Carrie said, I think there’s something about knowing that you are “ready” to workout that makes you eager to go do it!
So awesome!!! I love that you are trying to find ways to promote health and fitness in your office!!!
And you look super cute for yoga-wear Wednesday!!
Love this- what a great idea to set up the atmosphere and dress code in a way that makes taking part even easier.
A lot of it depends on your firm’s culture and its willingness to spend money.
Can people sign up to get extended lunch hours or points toward something for going to the gym? Is gym membership subsidized? Could you give gift baskets of ActionWipes, a company logo water bottle and an iTunes card for workout music?
What about contests to win things like a fitbit (or if people have cheap pedometers, have a contest for most steps)? (or time off if that’s what motivates people, or a cheap iPod)
I think the thing is to encourage people in a number of aspects – food, water, activity -without making anyone feel stigmatized if they don’t want to or obligated to do so. People have their own private reasons for doing or not doing things.
Can you get the cafeteria to post nutrition info on all items? If there’s a healthy lunch option can that be subsidized for people who choose it? Our cafeteria does half price fruit in the afternoons (especially later in the week when they’re trying to to clear stuff out) – can that type of a deal be worked out?
What about funding for some standing desk setups? Exercise balls to sit on.
Encouraging short standing meetings for those who can manage it. Encourage walking meetings (on appropriate topics).
Is there good tasting water to encourage people to drink just water? Bring some of the new flavored but unsweetened waters into the vending machine.
Just throwing out thoughts. Good cause, tough sell for some, touchy topics. Good for you for taking it on, and good luck!
Thanks so much! Most people have flexible schedules, but work through lunch so they can leave earlier — part of that behavior that’s so hard to change. We are thinking of “contests” or just participation prizes for tracking steps or doing a walking club, and I like your ideas for prizes. I also like your ideas on the lunch nutrition information and discounts for healthy items (although the prices are pretty good already, it’s just the competition with less healthy things!).
I am impressed with how much your workplace has to offer to help to keep fit. I want to say that we have a wellness committee, but not positive. We have had Weight loss challenges, but that’s been about as much as I have seen. I may have to try to do more here to get things more active.
Good luck on Yoga Wear Wednesdays!
Love this post!! I hope you don’t mind if I join in and write one about my work…very supportive of fitness!
Love Athleta….wearing a “sweater hoodie” today 🙂
Happy Friday!
I can’t wait to hear about what they do!
Yay, you betta werk it. So glad you are able to stay fit and your job has really helped.
Love this! My work is a big void when it comes to healthy eating and fitness. They think I’m kind of freakish! I’ve tried to get them moving and motivated but no luck so far. They’re a tough bunch!