Keep on moving

After a very busy January, it already feels like we're really rattling our way through yet another year. I hope you've managed to keep up your resolutions so far and are still on track for any goals you've set.

One thing we've done to try and encourage people to stay active this year at Tenth Revolution Group, is to begin our second annual wellbeing challenge. Last time we grouped together to run, walk, and cycle the circumference of the earth as we made our virtual way between offices. In the end, 600 of our employees took part and managed to travel around the planet several times, as 60 teams were formed across different departments in the business, to see who could travel the furthest.

For me, it definitely brought out my competitive side. I'm not ashamed to admit that, on more than one occasion, I was tempted to dial into calls from the comfort of my exercise bike! While my wife is used to me locking myself away for late finishes that are work-related, I think hiding in the garage to add extra miles each morning and night may have pushed her patience to its limit, nearly as much as it tested my legs to theirs.

Still, it helped bring a lot of the company together and created some friendly competition, and I'm pleased that we've created a challenge this year that focuses simply on movement, to make it a truly inclusive competition that even more of our employees can take part in. I've talked about sports a lot in these articles—whether it's playing or watching I've always been a fan, but I do think it's important to look after your physical health for so many reasons.

For work purposes, there's no doubt that a healthy body equates to a healthy mind. Even if it's just a morning walk, raising your heart rate at the start of the day helps you begin work with an energy level that’s conducive to maximum productivity. Not only that, but the serotonin and adrenaline coursing through your veins will give you the exact same buzz as that cup of coffee, but in a much healthier way. Trust me, your body will thank you for it!

That’s not to say my days aren’t also partly fuelled by the black stuff, but the extra spring in your step is definitely noticeable if you’ve also been active before you get started on your daily work.

It also highlighted, to me at least, how important it is to look after your body, purely for yourself. As someone whose body feels creakier and stiffer every time I get involved with challenges such as these, you come to value your physical health as you get older. So, for anyone taking part in the challenge this year (and those outside Tenth Revolution Group looking to change their habits for the better as well!) I’d say that it’s not just about hitting the gym but generally trying to become more active.

Nobody runs a marathon the first time they pull on a pair of trainers, so look at different challenges such as virtual medals, couch to 5k programs or even more unusual sports and activities that you can become involved in, to help set you on your way. Whether that’s axe-throwing, ten pin bowling or archery—getting active doesn’t necessarily mean signing up to the dreaded gym!

It does, however, usually mean a shift in diet as well. It doesn’t have to involve you throwing out all the chocolate and surviving only on salads, but simply eating less bad stuff and more good will see huge wins. Believe me, switching out Coke for fizzy water, or biscuits for fruit, will have a massive impact and help prevent sugar crashes from becoming an unhealthy part of your day. And when you can try and keep those at bay, it also helps reduce the temptation to reach for the takeaway apps on your phone to satisfy the craving for more.

Ultimately, getting physically fitter will help you achieve goals across many elements of your life. Whether that’s losing weight or just simply having more energy to complete tasks you have in your daily life, it will all help to put you in a better place mentally too.

While I should sign off this month by wishing those taking part in our wellbeing challenge the best of luck, I’m afraid the competitive side of me simply can’t—but I hope you all enjoy the race to second place... and have fun in the process!