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Sean Connor/Capital News
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The Big Losers, one of several teams at Enquiro Search Solutions who lost weight in a company sponsored fitness and weight-loss competition, show off the healthy snacks they used to reach their goal. The Big Losers are Gord Hotchkiss, (left) president and CEO, and marketing strategists Tom Abramowski and Cory Bates. |
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By Shelley Nicholl
Staff Reporter
The staff at Enquiro Search Solutions is a bunch of losers.Pretty big losers, it turns out.
In fact, the 20 employees lost the equivalent of one whole person as they collectively melted their weight away in a staff-generated, 10-week fitness and weight-loss program. “We lost, as a group, over 100 pounds,” said Enquiro’s human resources manager Tracy Kalancha, who came up with the idea.
It was a case, however, of gaining more than losing. As a result of the program that officially ended Dec. 22, the employees supported each other in losing weight and eating better.
“It was great because everything changed around here,” said Kalancha. “We were really focused.”
The complimentary pop in the fridge fizzled out and the tasty granola bars were ditched, as well. (Granola bars sound healthy, but at 200 to 300 calories and oodles of fat in some bars, they’re not necessarily a good choice). Instead, there was fruit juice, water, veggies and hard-boiled eggs. The monthly potluck lunches were transformed from chicken wings and meatballs to salad-laden feasts. As well, Team Fitness was called in to develop fitness plans for the staff. Director Liz Sage said, “We are seeing more companies take an interest in the lifestyle of their teams. It just makes good business sense.
In groups of four, the Enquiro employees marched off to work out their own exercise program and learn about nutrition. And, every week, there was a weigh-in. The biggest loser was Tom Abramowski, a search marketing strategist, who shed 24 pounds. President Gord Hotchkiss was right up there, as well, dropping 21 pounds. “It wasn’t competition in the traditional sense,” said Abramowski. “We supported and cheered each other.” If this sounds like a replica of the TV program The Biggest Loser, that’s where the idea came from. Kalancha said everyone in the office seemed to be talking about losing weight and trying to eat more healthy foods. “They’d be teasing someone if they were having pizza,” said Kalancha. So, while watching The Biggest Loser on TV one night, she figured it might be a good way to motive people to get fit together.
Hotchkiss thought it was a great idea and everyone bought in. Kalancha said the team spirit at Enquiro, a search engine marketing firm, was already good.
This project had all the employees involved; 16 were direct participants and the four who weren’t able to join in became the project leaders.
“We have an awesome culture here,” said Kalancha. “Everyone is really supportive. It’s a unique culture.”
snicholl@kelownacapnews.com
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