Dentist’s Office Staff Wins Healthy Maumee Business Challenge
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
Holiday treats can be tempting and it’s usually that time of year when many fall off the diet bandwagon.
For the staff of Maumee dentist Dr. Tod Armbruster, this holiday season didn’t include extra pounds. In fact, they lost weight and inches thanks to a conscious effort to scale back the treats and focus on exercise.
“We all watched what we were putting in our mouths – especially in the break room. We’d bring in a veggie tray instead of cake,” said Sandy Bishop, financial coordinator.
The staff signed up for the Healthy Maumee “Holiday Holdout” business challenge, an eight-week event that ran from November 23 to January 4.
“The business challenge goal was to either maintain or lose weight,” explained Courtney Meyer of Heartland Rehabilitation Services, which conducted the challenge.
Armbruster’s office was named winner with five of the seven staff members either losing or maintaining weight. Four businesses in Maumee signed up for the challenge.
On average, each participant lost 3.46 pounds and 2.1 inches during the course of eight weeks, Meyer said.
“If you think about it, to lose that much weight over the holidays is a good thing because most people gain an average of five pounds over the holiday,” she said.
In addition to watching their diet, Armbruster’s staff members also walked during lunch breaks, and some began exercising at a local gym.
Receptionist Jenny Schmidt said the holidays usually meant tipping the scale a little more.
“I definitely used to gain weight, but this year I didn’t,” she said.
Armbruster increased his workouts at a local YMCA and he often walked the one-mile route from his home to work. He said working as a group kept the office staff focused.
“Having the challenge and doing this together definitely motivated us,” he said.
For winning the challenge, the staff received a complimentary healthy lunch.
The staff plans to keep up with their diet and exercise routines.
“I’m definitely going to keep going,” said Sue Sifleet, dental assistant. “My goal is to lose 25 pounds by summer.”
