With Right Approach Employees Can Revive Those Fitness Resolutions

Most employers would love to see their employees make good on those New Year’s fitness resolutions because, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, healthier employees tend to be happier, more productive, and less costly to insure. 

Things don’t always work out that way, according to Bryan and Patty Sibbach, fitness consultants for the Capital Blue Cross Connect health and wellness center at Hampden Marketplace, Enola. 

The Sibbachs, longtime owners of Precision Training Concepts, with two training studios in the Harrisburg region, say fitness resolutions often crash and burn under the weight of self-doubt, unrealistic goals and expectations, procrastination, fear, and uncertainty about where to start and what to do. 

With the right approach, those broken resolutions can rise from the ashes, they say, and employers are in a unique position to help: 

• Hit the Reset – “You can always hit the reset button,” Patty Sibbach said. “It’s never too late. Don’t get discouraged because you failed the first time.” 
• Know the why – “Ask yourself, ‘why get fit? Why now?’” Bryan Sibbach said. “You have to want it.” 
• Set realistic goals – “You have to have a series of realistic goals,” Patty said. “Smaller changes lead to bigger and better results.”  
• Keep it simple – “There’s 168 hours in a week,” Bryan said. “Let’s start with a good gameplan.” That could include stretching, flexibility exercises, resistance training, walking, and choosing apples over Doritos. “Just keep it simple. It’s cardio, resistance, and good nutrition,” Bryan said. 
• No negative self-talk – “People can be their own worst enemy,” Bryan explained. “They’ll say, ‘I don’t look good. I don’t feel good.’” Research shows negative self-talk can negatively influence mental and physical health and diminish our ability to manage stress.  
• Educate yourself – Not knowing what to do or how to start is a huge obstacle to fitness, the Sibbachs say. Trainers can help people learn what to do and how to start based on their current age, fitness level, and goals.  

Many companies provide access to such expertise as part of their workplace health programs.  

Capital Blue Cross employees, for example, have access to personal trainers in-house or through the Capital Blue Cross Connect health and wellness centers. Capital fitness instructors also work directly with employer groups.  

Capital members and non-members can access free initial fitness consultations at Capital’s five Connect locations, and can purchase additional, trainer-led workout sessions with covered members enjoying deep discounts. 

“Investing in your body is the most important investment you’ll ever make,” Patty said.  

“Ask a professional,” Bryan added. “I could go … and buy all the tools and try to fix my car myself on a Sunday afternoon, but it’s not going to end well. I’m going to let the professionals fix my car. It’s the same concept in fitness.”