10th January, 2007: ABC Primetime Challenge Continues: MORE BIGELOW EMPLOYEES JOIN THE ACTION
In a healthy partnership for healthful living, ABC and Bigelow Tea joined forces this summer. A competition was set to follow two teams testing weight loss moTEAvators. The Bigelow Tea Team was on a quest to become healthy for one’s sake. The Bridgeport Bluefish Corporate Office who took on becoming healthy to avoid humiliation. he The ABC Primetime Challenge Weight Special, which aired December 20th , followed the story and people who took part in the event.
More Bigelow Employees Join the Action
The challenge’s excitement and progress made news throughout our family-owned organization. Soon nineteen employees from Corporate and Operations came wanted to take on the quest of becoming healthy for one’s own sake. They agreed to abide by the established guidelines.
The Bigelow Tea Team was unofficially expanded to include these employees. Although their participation would not be highlighted on ABC’s show. A new TEAM ‘C’ also was named for all employees who elected to lose weight on their own. Without documentation of weekly weigh-ins, the total members and weight loss for this team is unknown.
The moTEAvation was spreading. Positive results were encouraging others to join in.
ABC News Primetime also detailed the science at their site. ABC News also covered the story. The ABC Primetime Challenge Weight Loss Special aired on local ABC channels on Wednesday, December 20th, at 10pm, EST.
Posted by Elizabeth at 11:50 am | Comment (0)
8th January, 2007: ABC Primetime Challenge Continued: TEAM STRATEGY TAKES SHAPE
In a healthy partnership for healthful living, ABC and Bigelow Tea joined forces this summer. A competition was set to follow two teams testing weight loss moTEAvators. The Bigelow Tea Team was on a quest to become healthy for one’s sake. The Bridgeport Bluefish Corporate Office who took on becoming healthy to avoid humiliation. he The ABC Primetime Challenge Weight Special, which aired December 20th, followed the story and people who took part in the event.
Team Strategy Takes Shape
A caravan of ABC personnel arrived at Bigelow early Tuesday morning, July 18, to set up lights, cameras, and sound and scale equipment. Then they set off to capture some early morning film shots of the Bigelow operations, as the Bigelow Tea team participants gathered on the production floor for the opening shoot. Each team member was greeted by Jay Schadler (ABC Primetime Correspondent). Then they participated in individual interviews.
Daily teamwork, diet and exercise became three synonymous words spoken throughout the next two months. With Cindi leading the group, the team’s strengths were identified and we began our journeys toward a healthier lifestyle. To assist in reducing the unwanted pounds, the company subsidized a two-month gym membership fee for each person and many participants elected to utilize one of the two gyms next door for their workouts. Others opted for neighborhood walks or other home activities.
It was difficult at first to change a lifestyle we were accustomed to, but once we became adjusted to the new routines, it was easier to continue with our exercise and diet programs. Feeling good about ourselves was a moTEAvating factor that encouraged us to stay the course. But one common denominator prevailed as the backbone of our strategy– the support given and received from teammates, coworkers and family. As our weight loss regimes continued, our weekly weigh-ins began to see promising results.
In the beginning, some of us were shy about stepping on the scale, but once the weights were posted on the board, the shyness disappeared along with the pounds and waistline measurements. Although individual weight loss triumphs and struggles were experienced along the way, sharing our stories aided in a greater support group as we focused on each person’s goal. The group shared constant advice about the effects that certain foods and exercises have on weight loss. A variety of articles and recipes were circulated and countless weight loss discussions occurred throughout the workday.
Halfway through the challenge, ABC returned to film one of our weekly weigh-ins along with additional camera footage at the homes of Liz, Don and Mike. By this time, four team members had reached their weight loss goal, some were within five pounds. Still a handful of others were experiencing a more slightly uphill battle. Yet, we were each determined that we would not let anyone on the team down. True diligence would prevail, and teamwork, dedication, and perseverance would win out. We increased the weekly weigh-ins to twice per week to help ensure that the team remained focused in reaching our goal.
Three guest speakers joined us to offer nutrition and weight loss information. Stavros Mastrogannis, Personal Trainer and Lifestyle & Weight Management Consultant, Rene White, Nutraceutical Consultant, and Lisa Storch, Holistic Nutrition Health Counselor. Each expert shed additional light on the impact of body, diet, exercise and the reaction to certain foods consumed on our quest for a healthful lifestyle. They also discussed other factors that affect our health and well-being (physical activity, career, spirituality and relationships) and shared recipes for healthful foods with us.
All of this support was sure working in our favor.
ABC News Primetime detailed the science of the story. ABC News covered the story with the team members. The ABC Primetime Challenge Weight Loss Special aired on local ABC channels on Wednesday, December 20th, at 10pm, EST.
Posted by Elizabeth at 8:33 am | Comments (46)
5th January, 2007: Chris Simms News, Howie Long likes Bigelow Ad
Just heard from Phil Simms’ agent that Howie Long (also Howie’s agent) really liked the photograph of Phil and Chris Simms in the Bigelow Green Tea ad. It really captured a special moment between the two.
In case you missed it, Chris Simms just signed a new contract with Tampa. All of Chris’s friends at Bigelow are raising their cups of green tea to his continued success.
Posted by Bob at 10:00 am | Comment (1)
3rd January, 2007: January is Hot Tea Month!
Happy Hot Tea Month….yes January is Hot Tea Month. This is always a fun time for us. We hold celebrations in each of our facilities with scones, muffins, sandwiches, and of course lots and lots of Bigelow Tea.
I have always been surprised by the fact that the tea industry does not make a bigger deal about this month, but maybe to the consumer it doesn’t really make a difference. All I know is that for us, we make the most of it. We send out tea facts weekly to our employees, we hold raffles, we serve “goodies” in each of our floor cafeterias each week….it is just a great event to celebrate for this family tea company. So for all of you who did not know that January is Hot Tea Month….now you do.
Time to turn on the kettle!
Posted by Cindi at 4:34 pm | Comments (3)
2nd January, 2007: Our Bigelow Weight Loss Team!
It was great to see all the work our ABC weight-loss team had put forth come to fruition on December 20th when Primetime aired the show on TV.
However, I think it was hard for the show to capture all the good work and all the effort the team required to lose the 15 pounds (or a lot more in many cases) over the 8 weeks. The audience never got the benefit of seeing all the teamwork, all the positive energy, all the reinforcement and all the HARD work that these 10 people did to win this contest.
The good news is it clearly showed how positive energy is the stronger of the forces and it also motivated many of our people inside Bigelow to lose weight. We continue to meet, we continue to lose weight — this has been a lifetime change for so many individuals. The team is still drinking their 3 cups of Bigelow green tea a day and we meet every Monday morning.
I think we owe a lot to ABC for putting us on this path…. So here’s to ABC Primetime and here’s to drinking green tea!!!! Happy New Year to everyone!
Posted by Cindi at 4:05 pm | Comments (2)
