Eight steps to a healthier holiday season
Kaiser Permanente recently launched "Maintain Don't Gain" campaign to help employers' wellness efforts through the holidays, a time when most Americans gain about a pound during the winter season. That extra weight accumulates through the years and may be a major contributor to obesity later in life, according to the National Institute of Health. Part of the KP campaign includes an eight-week guide to help employees avoid winter weight creep. As we approach the peak of the holiday season and the winter months when weather keeps us indoors more frequently, consider sharing these tips with employees to encourage winter wellness.
Week 1: Swap your sweets.
This week is dedicated to getting the crap out of the cabinets and substituting it with nuts, fruits and easy-to-grab snacks. "It's about doing that cleanse of your environment and your home jumping into the holidays. When you look at behavior change theory, there are many things that are important. If the only thing in your cupboard is chips, then you'll most likely grab it. But if you have carrots, you might grab that," says Jennifer Christian-Herman, executive director of HealthWorks products & innovation at Kaiser Permanente.
