Member Article

Local business undertakes health and fitness challenge

A nine-strong team at local print and design company, JAK Publications, has embarked on a 90-day challenge in a collective drive to get fit and lose weight.

Andrew Knowles, who co-owns the business with his father John, came up with the team challenge idea in order to support staff members that wanted to change their eating and exercise habits.

The JAK team has been eating more healthily, undertaking exercise programmes and using weight loss products in an effort to meet their personal weight loss goals, with weekly weigh-ins keeping them on track.

The business, which has offices in Darlington and Chester-le-Street, has also shown its commitment to the challenge by making various day-to-day changes, such as swapping chocolate cakes for flowers and healthy treats on staff birthdays.

Andrew Knowles said: “The main reason for most of the team signing up was a desire to become healthier and fitter for their children, and as a family business this is obviously something we want to encourage and get behind.

“The challenge seemed like a great way of making weight loss and fitness more fun, and taking it on as a team has meant we can motivate each other and engage in a bit of ‘healthy’ competition!”

The team members are on target to meet their individual weight loss goals, with a combined total of 80lbs lost so far. The challenge has also marked a new lifestyle for a number of people, who have said that they now feel less lethargic and more confident.

Andrew continued: “I’ve noticed benefits such as a huge difference in energy levels around the office, with everyone seeming happier in their work, and from the point of view of a business owner this is a fantastic result.

“We’re looking forward to our final weigh-in but I’m sure we will all be keeping up our healthier lifestyles once the challenge is over.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Alex Latham .