Thursday, May 07, 2009
Amy Winter :: Townhall.com Columnist
Workers Can Keep Off the Pounds in the Workplace
by Amy Winter
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Stressed workers look to food as a source of comfort during these hard economic times. As a result, employees find themselves putting on the pounds. Forty-three percent of workers say, according to a CareerBuilder.com survey that questioned more than 4,400 workers, they have experienced a weight increase at their current jobs.

Twenty-five percent of workers gained more than 10 pounds, while 12 percent of employees added at least 20 pounds. When looking at genders, women are more likely to experience a weight increase than men in their present office positions.

"Weight gain in the office is common and is a result of a variety of issues including today's economic stress and poor eating habits," says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources.

"Making little adjustments to your routine, such as bringing your lunch to work, getting up from your desk during the day, and walking instead of driving or taking public transportation will help curb some of your financial worries, while making you healthier."

Look to change your eating habits while at the office. Thirty-nine percent of respondents go out to eat for lunch at least twice per week, which makes it difficult to manage portions and calories. And 12 percent of workers find their lunches in a vending machine more than once a week. Add more nutritious items to your diet by bringing your own lunch.

Reduce the amount of snacking during the day. Sixty-seven percent of respondents need at least one snack a day, while 24 percent of them reach for a treat twice a day.

Lunch can be a great opportunity to do some exercises at the gym, although only 9 percent of workers choose to work off the pounds during the workday. A larger number of employees could gain more motivation to stay fit, especially since 25 percent of companies now offer workout facilities, gym passes or wellness advantages.

Haefner provides tips to keep off the extra pounds: Continued...

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About The Author

Amy is a copy editor with Copley News Service. She writes the weekly Bulletin Board column.

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