Are You Up for the Challenge?
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, YMCA of Greater Kansas City, University of Kansas Hospital, Metro Med, Holmes Murphy and Ingram’s team up to produce the Fittest Execs and Fittest Companies Challenge.
We normally think of a New Year’s resolution or the spring as a time for getting back in shape. But as we stand on the cusp of fall, it’s time to turn that thinking on its head: The Fittest Execs and Fittest Companies Challenge is back for a fourth year, and this opportunity for rebirth holds the promise of being the best yet, on a couple of levels.
For one, we’re seeing strong interest from companies that are new to this unique competition. Like past entrants, they’re hoping to leverage the structure of the Fittest Execs and Fittest Companies Challenge to help their employees improve their own health and wellness levels, reduce absenteeism, boost performance and lay a foundation for attacking the rising costs of health-insurance premiums.
As the Fittest Execs and Fittest Companies Challenge evolves, we’re also seeing some interesting trends at work. Most prominent, of course, is the remarkable success this program has demonstrated in just three years. Results from the 2011 Fittest Execs Challenge can be viewed here. Workplace wellness programs often struggle to register with even a third of the employees who frequently must be dragged into them. The Fittest Execs and Fittest Companies Challenge, by contrast, generates real follow-through by appealing to both those with a competitive spirit and those who are inspired by the leadership example of corporate executives.
That formulation has produced meaningful, measurable differences in the well-being of participants: Each year, nearly 80 percent of those who finish the competition in December do so with measurably improved health. In many cases, participants enjoy dramatic results.
Another trend is the way companies are able to use the competition to help change the corporate culture, and attitudes among employees about embracing that change. It’s kind of like being a teacher: You see a new cohort of students through for a while, help them raise their game, and watch them head out on their own. It’s rewarding to be a part of that kind of experience, and equally rewarding to welcome the next group in.
A third trend is the way companies signing on are using the Challenge. While some larger organizations with ample staff have fielded multiple teams—the folks at Stinson Morrison Hecker, Lockton Companies and Blue Cross Blue Shield of KC are among the leaders in that regard—others, like us at Ingram’s, are finding that we can drive changes in health and fitness attitudes by using the program’s two categories to field teams in the Fittest and Most Improved tracks.
For the first time, this season Ingram’s is competing with not only a team focusing on making vast improvements in our individual and collective health, but we’re also fielding a team to compete for the title of the most fit team.
Which gets us to that other level of excitement—a personal level. I’m more pumped than ever for this installment of Fittest Execs and Fittest Companies Challenge. This, folks, is the year I’m committed to contend for the title of Most Improved Man Over 50. I had a pretty good taste of success last year, finishing tied for second in that category, and that whetted the appetite for No. 1. When you’re competitive by nature, coming in second—by a mere two points, at that—just doesn’t set well.
This is my year to resign membership in the Fat Club, which means I’ve set an ambitious goal of shedding 50 pounds between September 6 and December 22. And with nothing but good intentions here, I challenge you to get involved in this year’s Fittest Execs competition and encourage you to compete for one of the eight most fit or improved individual titles.
There’s still time to get involved and claim your position in this year’s Fittest Execs and Fittest Companies Challenge, and we’d love to see you and your colleagues field a team or two. You’ll find much more information about the workplace benefits of this event beginning on Page 50 of this edition, along with a registration form on Page 54.
This is your chance to make a difference in the lives of your employees and co-workers, foster a sense of teamwork and change some attitudes. Get in the Game! We’ll be right there with you.
Joe Sweeney
Editor-In-Chief & Publisher
JSweeney@IngramsOnLine.com