Goodbye, Weight Loss Drugs. Hello, Sustainable Health and Wellness
If you search for “weight loss” or “weight loss drug” of late, you’re likely to see Ozempic or Wegovy pop up in your results. And if you’re like many benefits managers or human resource managers, you’re juggling reimbursement for this new medication that many of your employees’ doctors are prescribing for weight loss.
Employers are struggling with the enormous amount that these new medications cost! This past August, the health research group Peterson-KFF published a study demonstrating that the list price for a one-month supply of Ozempic was nearly $1,000 in the U.S.
Many employers are covering (at least some of) the price tag. According to the Peterson-KFF piece: “Increased off-label use of these drugs is contributing to supply shortages for people who use these drugs for diabetes, and employer health plans and insurers are scrutinizing the prescribing of the drugs.”
Employers are looking for a more affordable means of helping their employees feel better and adopt a healthy lifestyle. They know – and as a registered dietitian, I know – that when employees stop taking these medications for weight loss, the weight will return if they are not making any adjacent, positive lifestyle changes or habits to improve their health.
There is a Solution: Implement a Sustainable Health + Wellness Program
Instead of weight loss pills, opt to offer your employees a group health and wellness challenge that focuses on improving their nutrition, health and wellness. One that provides them with the similar health benefits that you might expect from a costly weight loss drug but that are sustainable and come with a much lower price tag. Because these health benefits can be achieved through strategic wellness programs instead of medication, you can help them adopt steps towards losing excess inches and preventing and reversing chronic disease.
Plus, participating in an engaging and camaraderie-building health and wellness challenge that encourages team support and health improvements will set them up for wellness success all year long. They will feel better overall, improve mental health and be more productive.
Why not explore signing them up for one that provides them with the most impactful evidence-based ways for participants to take charge of their health, fight illness, reverse disease, boost gut health and feel and think better — without being “on a diet?” And without being on weight loss medication.
How the 12 Fix Group Challenge Works
The 12 Fixes to Healthy Challenge Program takes a non-diet approach to wellness in a Challenge format that is based on a whole-food lifestyle. This program integrates food timing, gut health, the newest protein science, fitness, sleep, eating ergonomics and mindfulness all in one Challenge. Participants start by adopting just one new Fix; additional Fixes are introduced one at a time throughout a 12-week time period. Plus, they only need to adopt the Fixes 80% of the time to be successful – no pressure to be perfect! Team support is a big part of the Challenge, too - connections and camaraderie among your employees are built and are lasting.
A registered dietitian nutritionist leads groups in implementing each of the 12 Fixes, in turn, using the 12 Fixes to Healthy book and 12 Fixes app. Together the participants concentrate on just one Fix and continue to add each of the 12 Fixes one at a time as the challenge continues for 12 weeks, allowing participants time to concentrate and adopt sustainable changes in their lives.
Why This Challenge Over Other Corporate Wellness Programs?
Weekly wellness training sessions from a registered dietitian nutritionist
Daily points given for team support to encourage adherence and unity
Wellness changes introduced one at a time rather than all at once for sustainable changes
Points earned for weekly readings from 12 Fixes to Healthy book to provide participants tools to succeed
A point system where 80% adherence to the plan is ideal (as 100% adherence to the plan is not realistic or necessary)
User-friendly app that tracks participants’ progress and displays Challenge points
Daily support from dietitian via group’s communication platform
No expensive medication – just practical education and encouragement!
The best part: participants continue adopting the strategies introduced in this evidenced-based program. When we surveyed past participants, 98% of them continued their new habits beyond the 12 Fix Challenge.
Take advantage of the motivation and increased participation that comes with the new year! Offer the 12 Fix Challenge to your team. Your employee health insurance is likely to cover at least some of this wellness program And yes, a portion of the program can be paid for participant’s Health Savings Card. I'll work with you to understand your goals and make this 12 Fix Challenge a truly positive experience for participants and your organization.
Contact me to learn more and reserve your place for a January Group Challenge – spots are filling up fast!
Email me or schedule a time to talk.
Are you a dietitian interested in leading 12 Fixes to Healthy Group Challenge programs under your business? Contact me
