Positively Trim

Here’s a great article I edited from Mike Kramer, Staff Writer at sparkpeople. The site is primarily to promote weight loss and healthy living. You will be a more effective business person if you learn to look on positives, trim down and stay healthy. I’m amazed at the boost I feel when my waistband feels a little loose in the morning. When I think I look good, I see a definite difference in my confidence.

If you're eager to be a positive force, there’s no shortage of people that could use some help. In 1994, 10-20% of every U.S. state’s population was considered obese. By 2001, the numbers in 30 states grew to 20% or more. According to the American Medical Association, more than 1 of every 4 adults in Alabama is obese.

Being overweight is an international problem, and it just keeps getting worse. This is bad news, but could be great for you because it gives you the chance to make a real difference. You can use what you’ve learned to make a dent in those trends. All while making an even bigger dent in your waistline.

Here are some simple strategies to follow when you’re looking to build healthy surroundings:

1. Find reasons to get people together

This is a leadership practice that can easily boost your consistency and drive. A simple idea might be to form a group of people around common goals, like a running club. By holding them accountable and motivating them, you’ll get better at doing it for yourself.

2. Create opportunities to trade knowledge

You have a lot to teach others. You also have a lot to learn. Can you set something up where people are learning from each other on a regular basis? What do you like to talk about?

3. Focus on pushing others and you’ll end up challenging yourself

Chris started an exercise streak. Every day on his office door, he posted the number of days in a row he had done some exercise, no matter how small. He eventually posted ‘100’ then ‘200’ on his door. One day, a woman across the hall followed his example and posted a '1' on her door, starting her own streak.

4. Use positive peer pressure

Just live as an example. This motivates others while keeping your own standards of conduct high. Several of us went to the local pizza joint for lunch. After our order arrived, a woman in our group started dabbing the extra grease off the top of her pizza with a napkin. She did it without fanfair or announcement. It was just a habit of hers. But then the man to her left started doing it too. Then the guy across from him. And on down the line until the whole table was dabbing away. We saw her doing something smart and healthy, and instinctively knew that we should do the same.

I think I'll make my next meeting at the walking track rather than the coffee shop.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach