Lifespan Spring Water has instituted an internal weight loss competition among staff at its Buff Bay, Portland and St Andrew facilities.

 The competition will see team members vie to achieve their individual weight loss goals and follows the company’s decision to ban sugary and carbonated beverages from its facilities in 2020. 

Commenting on the move, Nayanda Williams, chief executive officer of Lifespan Water, said the company was committed to driving Jamaicans towards their best, healthiest, happiest lives. 

“It has been our mandate since inception to encourage Jamaicans to be the best version of themselves. From this position, we made the decision last year to remove sugary and carbonated beverage options from our canteen and we have seen positive changes in our staff,” Williams said. 

EXPAND GOOD HABITS TO WIDER JAMAICA

She explained that the brand wants to expand that to the wider Jamaica, to encourage good eating habits and proper hydration.

Williams, stating that data from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey showed that 54 per cent of Jamaicans are overweight or obese, made the point that Lifespan has been challenged to counteract that.

The competition was originally designed for staff but the brand encourages consumers and all Jamaicans to join the initiative.

While the programme does not offer a prize for the ‘biggest loser’, Lifespan Digital Brand Strategist Macarval Miller said this is being done since it has been proven that rapid weight loss is often short lived. 

As such, the competition is more centred on realistic calorie restriction and hydration.

Lifespan is inviting persons to visit its social media pages sharing their picture, weight, desired weight and timeline to achieve this goal, and to continue updating their progress on social media. 

“We will make contact, add them to the WhatsApp coaching group, and give daily tips and useful information to support the journey,” Miller said.

“At each weight milestone, and upon providing proof, each person receives a Lifespan prize.”

Dr Alfred Dawes, newly signed Lifespan Spring Water medical spokesperson and bariatric/weight loss surgeon, in endorsing the initiative, said: “A healthy weight not only decreases your chance of developing complications such as non-communicable diseases but increases your chances of living longer with a better quality of life.”

Dawes added: “If we can institute and maintain positive lifestyle changes then we are well on our way to solving obesity, the core of sedveral of Jamaica’s health issues.”

The first 200 persons to sign up will receive a free Lifespan Infusion water bottle.