Tom Nikkola | VIGOR Training

$8 billion. That's how much is spent on corporate wellness programs each year in the United States. Sadly, it seems that enormous amount of money doesn't actually improve employee wellness. And it doesn't save companies money either.

Most of the time, when businesses add an extra layer of expense, they do so in order to grow their revenue or reduce costs.

Theoretically, improving the health of employees would lower healthcare costs, reducing expenses, and improve productivity, improving revenue growth. Many companies have spent a lot of money on that theory, but the research shows that idea is nothing more than theoretical.

According to the research, corporate wellness programs:

don't reduce healthcare costs

don't reduce medication costs

don't improve measurable markers of individual health

do cost a lot of money

Even though many executives know this already, they feel like having an employee wellness offering is necessary for their brand. Since other companies offer it, they do it as well. It's kind of like "keeping up with the Joneses," corporate-style.

Here's why corporate wellness programs don't work, and some thoughts to consider about what might.

Recent Study: Effect of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employee Health and Economic Outcomes

Zirui Song and Katherine Baicker published the results of a recent clinical study in the Journal of The American Medical Association. It's titled Effect of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employee Health and Economic Outcomes.

The full paper and related study details is 123 pages. Not as long as the Meueller report on President Trump, but similar in its findings. Where the Meueller report found no evidence of collusion with Russia, Song and Baicker found no evidence of health benefits from an employee wellness program.

Corporate Wellness Clinical Trial

In the study, Wellness Workdays provided corporate wellness services to a portion of BJ’s Wholesale Club employees who were insured by Cigna. In all, just over 4000 employees were part of the “treatment” group, and another 4000 at other locations served as the control group.

The offerings were pretty standard in the corporate wellness space:

Personal health assessments

In-person screenings

Educational modules on nutrition, weight loss, cardiovascular health, stress management, and exercise, usually led by a registered dietitian.

Employees were incentivized with $25-$50 gift cards for completion of various modules.

In all, 35% of the employees participated in at least one educational module. Of those who completed one module, 61% completed three or more.

I'm sure Wellness Workdays, BJs and Cigna all hoped for a positive outcome from the study. It would have made for great marketing. That's not how things worked out, though.

Disappointing Results

In the end, those who participated in the corporate wellness program faired no better in

measurable health outcomes

healthcare spending

medication costs

Most fascinating to me, though, was that participants' perception was that their health improved, even though it didn't.

United Healthcare came to similar conclusions in a 2017 survey. They found that 60% of employees who had access to a corporate wellness program believed the program had a positive impact on their health, even though the programs don't have much of an impact on health.

When it comes to making healthier choices, our brains have a funny way of believing we're doing better than we actually are.

Of course, some corporate wellness companies will look at the results of the study and say, “Wellness Workdays just don’t know how to do it right. We have a better offering.” They might think they have a better approach to nutrition or exercise.

Or, they'll reason that "The problem isn't the programs; it's the participation. We just need more people to show up for seminars and screenings."

The way I see it,

$8 billion. That's how much is spent on corporate wellness programs each year in the United States. Sadly, it seems that enormous amount of money doesn't actually improve employee wellness. And it doesn't save companies money either.

Most of the time, when businesses add an extra layer of expense, they do so in order to grow their revenue or reduce costs.

Theoretically, improving the health of employees would lower healthcare costs, reducing expenses, and improve productivity, improving revenue growth. Many companies have spent a lot of money on that theory, but the research shows that idea is nothing more than theoretical.

According to the research, corporate wellness programs:

* don't reduce healthcare costs* don't reduce medication costs* don't improve measurable markers of individual health* do cost a lot of money

Even though many executives know this already, they feel like having an employee wellness offering is necessary for their brand. Since other companies offer it, they do it as well. It's kind of like "keeping up with the Joneses," corporate-style.

Here's why corporate wellness programs don't work, and some thoughts to consider about what might.

Recent Study: Effect of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employee Health and Economic Outcomes

Zirui Song and Katherine Baicker published the results of a recent clinical study in the Journal of The American Medical Association. It's titled Effect of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employee Health and Economic Outcomes.

The full paper and related study details is 123 pages. Not as long as the Meueller report on President Trump, but similar in its findings. Where the Meueller report found no evidence of collusion with Russia, Song and Baicker found no evidence of health benefits from an employee wellness program.

Corporate Wellness Clinical Trial

In the study, Wellness Workdays provided corporate wellness services to a portion of BJ’s Wholesale Club employees who were insured by Cigna. In all, just over 4000 employees were part of the “treatment” group, and another 4000 at other locations served as the control group.

The offerings were pretty standard in the corporate wellness space:

* Personal health assessments* In-person screenings* Educational modules on nutrition, weight loss, cardiovascular health, stress management, and exercise, usually led by a registered dietitian.

Employees were incentivized with $25-$50 gift cards for completion of various modules.

In all, 35% of the employees participated in at least one educational module. Of those who completed one module, 61% completed three or more.

I'm sure Wellness Workdays, BJs and Cigna all hoped for a positive outcome from the study. It would have made for great marketing. That's not how things worked out, though.

Disappointing Results

In the end, those who participated in the corporate wellness program faired no better in

* measurable health outcomes* healthcare spending* medication costs

Most fascinating to me, though, was that participants' perception was that their health improved, even though it didn't.

United Healthcare came to similar conclusions in a 2017 survey. They found that 60% of employees who had access to a corporate wellness program believed the program had a positive impact on their health,

$8 billion. That's how much is spent on corporate wellness programs each year in the United States. Sadly, it seems that enormous amount of money doesn't actually improve employee wellness. And it doesn't save companies money either.

Most of the time, when businesses add an extra layer of expense, they do so in order to grow their revenue or reduce costs.

Theoretically, improving the health of employees would lower healthcare costs, reducing expenses, and improve productivity, improving revenue growth. Many companies have spent a lot of money on that theory, but the research shows that idea is nothing more than theoretical.

According to the research, corporate wellness programs:

don't reduce healthcare costsdon't reduce medication costsdon't improve measurable markers of individual healthdo cost a lot of money

Even though many executives know this already, they feel like having an employee wellness offering is necessary for their brand. Since other companies offer it, they do it as well. It's kind of like "keeping up with the Joneses," corporate-style.

Here's why corporate wellness programs don't work, and some thoughts to consider about what might.

Recent Study: Effect of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employee Health and Economic Outcomes

Zirui Song and Katherine Baicker published the results of a recent clinical study in the Journal of The American Medical Association. It's titled Effect of a Workplace Wellness Program on Employee Health and Economic Outcomes.

The full paper and related study details is 123 pages. Not as long as the Meueller report on President Trump, but similar in its findings. Where the Meueller report found no evidence of collusion with Russia, Song and Baicker found no evidence of health benefits from an employee wellness program.

Corporate Wellness Clinical Trial

In the study, Wellness Workdays provided corporate wellness services to a portion of BJ’s Wholesale Club employees who were insured by Cigna. In all, just over 4000 employees were part of the “treatment” group, and another 4000 at other locations served as the control group.

The offerings were pretty standard in the corporate wellness space:

Personal health assessmentsIn-person screeningsEducational modules on nutrition, weight loss, cardiovascular health, stress management, and exercise, usually led by a registered dietitian.

Employees were incentivized with $25-$50 gift cards for completion of various modules.

In all, 35% of the employees participated in at least one educational module. Of those who completed one module, 61% completed three or more.

I'm sure Wellness Workdays, BJs and Cigna all hoped for a positive outcome from the study. It would have made for great marketing. That's not how things worked out, though.

Disappointing Results

In the end, those who participated in the corporate wellness program faired no better in

measurable health outcomeshealthcare spendingmedication costs

Most fascinating to me, though, was that participants' perception was that their health improved, even though it didn't.

United Healthcare came to similar conclusions in a 2017 survey. They found that 60% of employees who had access to a corporate wellness program believed the program had a positive impact on their health, even though the programs don't have much of an impact on health.

When it comes to making healthier choices, our brains have a funny way of believing we're doing better than we actually are.

Of course, some corporate wellness companies will look at the results of the study and say, “Wellness Workdays just don’t know how to do it right. We have a better offering.” They might think they have a better approach to nutrition or exercise.

Or, they'll reason that "The problem isn't the programs; it's the participation. We just need more people to show up for seminars and screenings."

The way I see it, you either need to find employees who love seminars,

Keto is the diet of the decade. As with many things in nutrition, the ketogenic diet is surrounded by myths, misinformation, and exaggeration. The truth about keto is that it's better than the alarmists would have you believe, and not the panacea that your best friend thinks it is.

What are the benefits of keto? What are the risks? Is keto a diet you should follow long-term? What supplements should I use on keto?

I'll tackle these questions and a lot more in this complete guide to keto. Whether you're brand new to the diet, or you're a nutrition coach and need some talking points to use with clients, this guide will give you answers to questions you've been asking, and answers to questions you haven't asked yet.

Intro: Keto Experimentation, Experience, and Research

It’s been over a decade since I wrote my first article on low-carb or ketogenic diets. Since that time, I have years of personal experience, as well as insights from clients who've followed the diet. I've seen successes and failures.

Here's what I believe based on experimentation, experience with others, and from combing through the research:

The Ketogenic Diet is a powerful tool to help someone reclaim his or her health

In the short-term, the diet offers numerous health benefits

In the long-term, the benefits of the diet are less certain, and potential negative impact on mental and physical wellbeing need to be considered

I'm strongly in favor of the short-term use of the ketogenic diet, and feel for most people, long-term adherence to the diet is unnecessary and possibly detrimental

The average person today would benefit tremendously by following a ketogenic diet for three to twelve months. However, once they've improved their health and fitness, I recommend most people transition to a diet that includes some carbs.

What Is Keto?

Keto is short for "ketogenic diet," a diet pattern that significantly limits carbohydrates, emphasizes dietary fat, and causes low levels of glycogen in order to stimulate production of ketone bodies.

Elevated ketones make a ketogenic diet "ketogenic," and separate a ketogenic diet from a standard low-carb diet.

Your liver produces endogenous ketones (or ketone bodies) in response to starvation, fasting (even intermittent fasting), or when you’re on a very low-carb, high-fat diet. Exercise, when it’s intense enough and done for long enough, also stimulates ketone production.

In the absence of available carbs, ketones become a preferred energy source.

Ketosis Vs Ketoacidosis

For years, the medical community warned people against the ketogenic diet, confusing nutritional ketosis for ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis most often occurs in people with undiagnosed Type I diabetes, or in patients with Type I diabetes who don't use their insulin. For people with Type I diabetes, it can be life-threatening. In the complete absence of insulin, the body breaks down fat at an accelerated rate, and produces very high levels of ketones. The concentration gets so high that the blood becomes acidic.

In more rare cases, ketoacidosis occurs in people with severe Type II diabetes, in alcoholics, from starvation, and has even been seen during pregnancy.

Nutritional ketosis is a diet strategy used to maximize the use of stored body fat, which also increases production of ketone bodies. Though nutritional ketosis and ketoacidosis are both states where ketone bodies are elevated, the concentration is much, much higher in ketoacidosis.

Today, a plethora of research shows that a ketogenic diet is safe for most people, and distinctly different from ketoacidosis.

Keto For Disease Treatment

Keto has its roots in disease treatment, not as a health and fitness tool.

The ketogenic diet was first used in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy. Patients were put on diets consisting of 80% or more fat. Protein was limited to about 0.45 grams per pound body weight per day.

Keto is the diet of the decade. As with many things in nutrition, the ketogenic diet is surrounded by myths, misinformation, and exaggeration. The truth about keto is that it's better than the alarmists would have you believe, and not the panacea that your best friend thinks it is.



What are the benefits of keto? What are the risks? Is keto a diet you should follow long-term? What supplements should I use on keto?



I'll tackle these questions and a lot more in this complete guide to keto. Whether you're brand new to the diet, or you're a nutrition coach and need some talking points to use with clients, this guide will give you answers to questions you've been asking, and answers to questions you haven't asked yet.



As you'll see, it's my longest article to date. There's a lot to cover with keto, so if you're looking for something specific, use the shortcuts below and jump to the section you need.





Intro: Keto Experimentation, Experience, and Research



It’s been over a decade since I wrote my first article on low-carb or ketogenic diets. Since that time, I have years of personal experience, as well as insights from clients who've followed the diet. I've seen successes and failures.



Here's what I believe based on experimentation, experience with others, and from combing through the research:



* The Ketogenic Diet is a powerful tool to help someone reclaim his or her health* In the short-term, the diet offers numerous health benefits* In the long-term, the benefits of the diet are less certain, and potential negative impact on mental and physical wellbeing need to be considered* I'm strongly in favor of the short-term use of the ketogenic diet, and feel for most people, long-term adherence to the diet is unnecessary and possibly detrimental



The average person today would benefit tremendously by following a ketogenic diet for three to twelve months. However, once they've improved their health and fitness, I recommend most people transition to a diet that includes some carbs.



What Is Keto?



Keto is short for "ketogenic diet," a diet pattern that significantly limits carbohydrates, emphasizes dietary fat, and causes low levels of glycogen in order to stimulate production of ketone bodies.



Elevated ketones make a ketogenic diet "ketogenic," and separate a ketogenic diet from a standard low-carb diet.



Your liver produces endogenous ketones (or ketone bodies) in response to starvation, fasting (even intermittent fasting), or when you’re on a very low-carb, high-fat diet. Exercise, when it’s intense enough and done for long enough, also stimulates ketone production.



In the absence of available carbs, ketones become a preferred energy source.



Ketosis Vs Ketoacidosis



For years, the medical community warned people against the ketogenic diet, confusing nutritional ketosis for ketoacidosis.



Ketoacidosis most often occurs in people with undiagnosed Type I diabetes, or in patients with Type I diabetes who don't use their insulin. For people with Type I diabetes, it can be life-threatening. In the complete absence of insulin, the body breaks down fat at an accelerated rate, and produces very high levels of ketones. The concentration gets so high that the blood becomes acidic.



In more rare cases, ketoacidosis occurs in people with severe Type II diabetes, in alcoholics, from starvation, and has even been seen during pregnancy.

Keto is the diet of the decade. As with many things in nutrition, the ketogenic diet is surrounded by myths, misinformation, and exaggeration. The truth about keto is that it's better than the alarmists would have you believe, and not the panacea that your best friend thinks it is.

What are the benefits of keto? What are the risks? Is keto a diet you should follow long-term? What supplements should I use on keto?

I'll tackle these questions and a lot more in this complete guide to keto. Whether you're brand new to the diet, or you're a nutrition coach and need some talking points to use with clients, this guide will give you answers to questions you've been asking, and answers to questions you haven't asked yet.

Intro: Keto Experimentation, Experience, and Research

It’s been over a decade since I wrote my first article on low-carb or ketogenic diets. Since that time, I have years of personal experience, as well as insights from clients who've followed the diet. I've seen successes and failures.

Here's what I believe based on experimentation, experience with others, and from combing through the research:

The Ketogenic Diet is a powerful tool to help someone reclaim his or her healthIn the short-term, the diet offers numerous health benefitsIn the long-term, the benefits of the diet are less certain, and potential negative impact on mental and physical wellbeing need to be consideredI'm strongly in favor of the short-term use of the ketogenic diet, and feel for most people, long-term adherence to the diet is unnecessary and possibly detrimental

The average person today would benefit tremendously by following a ketogenic diet for three to twelve months. However, once they've improved their health and fitness, I recommend most people transition to a diet that includes some carbs.

What Is Keto?

Keto is short for "ketogenic diet," a diet pattern that significantly limits carbohydrates, emphasizes dietary fat, and causes low levels of glycogen in order to stimulate production of ketone bodies.

Elevated ketones make a ketogenic diet "ketogenic," and separate a ketogenic diet from a standard low-carb diet.

Your liver produces endogenous ketones (or ketone bodies) in response to starvation, fasting (even intermittent fasting), or when you’re on a very low-carb, high-fat diet. Exercise, when it’s intense enough and done for long enough, also stimulates ketone production.

In the absence of available carbs, ketones become a preferred energy source.

Ketosis Vs Ketoacidosis

For years, the medical community warned people against the ketogenic diet, confusing nutritional ketosis for ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis most often occurs in people with undiagnosed Type I diabetes, or in patients with Type I diabetes who don't use their insulin. For people with Type I diabetes, it can be life-threatening. In the complete absence of insulin, the body breaks down fat at an accelerated rate, and produces very high levels of ketones. The concentration gets so high that the blood becomes acidic.

In more rare cases, ketoacidosis occurs in people with severe Type II diabetes, in alcoholics, from starvation, and has even been seen during pregnancy.

Nutritional ketosis is a diet strategy used to maximize the use of stored body fat, which also increases production of ketone bodies. Though nutritional ketosis and ketoacidosis are both states where ketone bodies are elevated, the concentration is much, much higher in ketoacidosis.

Today, a plethora of research shows that a ketogenic diet is safe for most people, and distinctly different from ketoacidosis.

Keto For Disease Treatment

Keto has its roots in disease treatment, not as a health and fitness tool.

The ketogenic diet was first used in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy. Patients were put on diets consisting of 80% or more fat. Protein was limited to about 0.45 grams per pound body weight per day.

You've been sold the idea that endurance or aerobic exercise is good for you. Not so much. Here's the impact cardio can have on your health and body weight.

You've been sold the idea that endurance or aerobic exercise is good for you. Not so much. Here's the impact cardio can have on your health and body weight.

I’ve gone from being morbidly obese and out of shape to being the lightest I’ve been in 20 years and the strongest I’ve ever been. My family is so happy and proud of me, which also makes me feel great. I really am thriving and living my best life!

Jeremiah McLean's Story

A special thanks to Jeremiah for sharing his success story (which isn't over yet). He's inspired a lot of people to take action on their health and fitness.

Thank you to Monique as well, for encouraging him along the way. A supportive partner makes a HUGE difference!

If you feel equally inspired after reading, follow his lead and join VIGOR Training.

JOIN VIGOR TRAINING

Where were you when you got started with VIGOR Training?

When I first got started with VIGOR Training, I wasn’t in the worst shape of my life but it was pretty bad.

My weight had varied wildly up and down over the last 20 years. I gained 10 pounds on my honeymoon and never really recovered from that.

When I decided to get started, I was feeling the effects of getting older with so much extra weight. I had aches and pains that I hadn’t experienced before and I think it was actually affecting my cognitive function. That really concerned me.

It took me a while, probably about 6 months, to get serious. I made a ton of excuses..."I travel too much," or "I’m too busy."

What was your tipping point?

Finally one day I just had enough.

It wasn’t anything specific. I was just done being weak and overweight.

I texted Les Wright and said, “You have to make me go to the gym!”

Of course, he accepted the challenge but he wanted to go early in the morning. Ugh. I forced myself to go and meet him.

The first few weeks were pretty rough, but then I started seeing results. Little to no weight loss at first but my body started changing.

Then, something weird happened. I started to actually enjoy going first thing in the morning.

I felt great the rest of the day, not only physically, but mentally.

What lessons did you learn along the way, that you’d want to pass along to others?

I think the keys to success for me are:

Accountability: Having someone to go with, encourage you or even call you out sometimes is just powerful. Really in all areas of life not just health and fitness.

Convenience: Get a membership at a gym that’s convenient to you. Maybe close to your house or workplace. Find a time that doesn’t impact your schedule. It may have to be early in the morning, which is what I recommend. Life just seems to get in the way throughout the day and time slips away. The workouts are usually less than an hour so it’s not a huge chunk of time.

Easy/Not intimidating: This is my very favorite part of VIGOR! Tom has every workout ready to go with tips and technique videos. You literally don’t have to know anything. Every exercise is planned along with order and reps. I don’t even think about it. I can go to any gym and go right to exactly what I need and get a great workout in. Even when I’m traveling, it’s easy. Before, I was so intimidated and frankly scared to go to any gym. This all changed with VIGOR Training.

How has your thinking changed about health and fitness?

Before, I dreaded thinking about getting healthy.

But now I really do enjoy going to the gym and working out. It has also inspired me to change my food choices. I’m loving this journey.

What has changed for you?

So much has changed. My first goal was just to get under 200 pounds.

The heaviest I’ve ever been was about 250. I was around 230 pounds when I started VIGOR Training.

I’m now under 200 and working on the next goal of 190 on my way to my ideal weight.

I like that I’m the lightest I’ve been in 20 years, but I love that I’ve never been this strong. I feel great and my wife loves it too, so that’s a huge bonus!

What’s next?

I’m not done yet.

I don’t think I’ll ever be done.

I’ve gone from being morbidly obese and out of shape to being the lightest I’ve been in 20 years and the strongest I’ve ever been. My family is so happy and proud of me, which also makes me feel great. I really am thriving and living my best life!

Jeremiah McLean's Story

A special thanks to Jeremiah for sharing his success story (which isn't over yet). He's inspired a lot of people to take action on their health and fitness.

Thank you to Monique as well, for encouraging him along the way. A supportive partner makes a HUGE difference!

If you feel equally inspired after reading, follow his lead and join VIGOR Training.

JOIN VIGOR TRAINING

Where were you when you got started with VIGOR Training?

When I first got started with VIGOR Training, I wasn’t in the worst shape of my life but it was pretty bad.

My weight had varied wildly up and down over the last 20 years. I gained 10 pounds on my honeymoon and never really recovered from that.

When I decided to get started, I was feeling the effects of getting older with so much extra weight. I had aches and pains that I hadn’t experienced before and I think it was actually affecting my cognitive function. That really concerned me.

It took me a while, probably about 6 months, to get serious. I made a ton of excuses..."I travel too much," or "I’m too busy."

What was your tipping point?

Finally one day I just had enough.

It wasn’t anything specific. I was just done being weak and overweight.

I texted Les Wright and said, “You have to make me go to the gym!”

Of course, he accepted the challenge but he wanted to go early in the morning. Ugh. I forced myself to go and meet him.

The first few weeks were pretty rough, but then I started seeing results. Little to no weight loss at first but my body started changing.

Then, something weird happened. I started to actually enjoy going first thing in the morning.

I felt great the rest of the day, not only physically, but mentally.

What lessons did you learn along the way, that you’d want to pass along to others?

I think the keys to success for me are:

Accountability: Having someone to go with, encourage you or even call you out sometimes is just powerful. Really in all areas of life not just health and fitness.Convenience: Get a membership at a gym that’s convenient to you. Maybe close to your house or workplace. Find a time that doesn’t impact your schedule. It may have to be early in the morning, which is what I recommend. Life just seems to get in the way throughout the day and time slips away. The workouts are usually less than an hour so it’s not a huge chunk of time. Easy/Not intimidating: This is my very favorite part of VIGOR! Tom has every workout ready to go with tips and technique videos. You literally don’t have to know anything. Every exercise is planned along with order and reps. I don’t even think about it. I can go to any gym and go right to exactly what I need and get a great workout in. Even when I’m traveling, it’s easy. Before, I was so intimidated and frankly scared to go to any gym. This all changed with VIGOR Training.

How has your thinking changed about health and fitness?

Before, I dreaded thinking about getting healthy.

But now I really do enjoy going to the gym and working out. It has also inspired me to change my food choices. I’m loving this journey.

What has changed for you?

So much has changed. My first goal was just to get under 200 pounds.

The heaviest I’ve ever been was about 250. I was around 230 pounds when I started VIGOR Training.

I’m now under 200 and working on the next goal of 190 on my way to my ideal weight.

I like that I’m the lightest I’ve been in 20 years, but I love that I’ve never been this strong. I feel great and my wife loves it too, so that’s a huge bonus!

What’s next?

I’m not done yet.

I don’t think I’ll ever be done.