MVSB employees are now collectively 344 pounds lighter as the result of a 10-week fitness program focusing on better eating and exercise habits.
In addition to encouraging employees to adopt healthier lifestyles, the "MVSB Fitness Friends" program contributed $710 to the American Heart Association – the result of a small donation collected from each employee who participated in the fitness program.
MVSB employees Jessica Stevens and Lori Groleau initiated the program earlier this year.
"Jess and Lori did a tremendous job in implementing a great idea in response to employees’ concerns about maintaining healthier lifestyles," said David Cronin, MVSB’s senior vice president of human resources. "All of our employees who participated deserve credit for their commitment to the program and for pulling together as a team to support each others’ fitness goals."
Beginning in mid-March, Stevens and Groleau sent out weekly newsletters that contained healthy recipes, workout tips and articles promoting better eating and exercise habits. They also organized walking groups and events, as well as weekly fitness challenges (such as competing for the most amount of push-ups, sit-ups or steps walked) to keep everyone motivated. The Common Man Spa in Plymouth generously donated gift certificates for massages, facials and pedicures as incentives for selected individuals.
Program organizers did not promote any specific diet or weight loss plan; employees were encouraged to follow a plan that worked best for their particular needs and keep weight loss to moderate levels – no more than 10 to 25 pounds, depending upon starting weight, body type and individual fitness goals of the participants. By the end of the program, 30 out of a total 70 participants had lost 10 pounds or more.
"We couldn’t be happier with the level of participation and enthusiasm for the program," noted Stevens, a CD/IRA Insurance specialist at MVSB. "We had a lot of fun trying out healthy recipes, walking with our co-workers at lunchtime and after work, and hearing all the positive feedback and great new ideas from our co-workers who wholeheartedly embraced the program."
MVSB is continuing the Fitness Friends program and its Wellness Committee already has activities planned for the fall, including a Wellness Fair for bank employees, featuring massage, blood pressure screenings, representatives from local fitness clubs, and more.
