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Lose to Win participants seek healthier living by Amber Wilhoit Dietetic Intern Another year has come and gone for those involved in Lose to Win. Many prizes were given—bowling games, dinners, cash—but it’s not the prizes that keep participants coming back year after year.  MUSC President Dr. Ray Greenberg with Lose to Win winners, Ruth Henderson, left of Greenberg, and Kate Marjenhoff. The dietetic interns are: Tracy Burke, Jessica Millican, Megan Lahnen, Joan Franco, Amber Wilhoit, Meagen Drolet, Nicole Moore, Jill Seewagen. Sixty-eight percent of Lose to Win participants said they were motivated by improving their health, and only 7 percent were motivated by the prize money. Ninety-seven of those surveyed said that they’d participate in Lose to Win again. This year’s winners are Sally Parker, $200; Cathy Worrall, Pharmacy Services, $100; and Ruth Henderson, $50. Other awards were presented to Kate Marjenhoff for perfect attendance and Caci Roland, College of Nursing, survey winner. This year’s Lose to Win involved six classes on diet, exercise, goal setting, meal management, and staying on track. At the end of each class, attendees were awarded  door prizes such as free passes to Cypress Gardens and free lunch at Locklear’s Fine Seafood and Angelfish restaurant.  Winner, Ruth Henderson, lost unhealthy habits and gained $50. Also, there were cash prizes for the second- and third-place winners. This year, a prize was added for attendance. Each prize was drawn by MUSC’s food service director, Brad Masteller.  Those eligible for the drawings were present at the weigh-in and weigh-out, where their progress was recorded. The average body mass index (BMI) of participants was 33.2 at the beginning of the six-week program. The final average BMI was 32.7. The average weight loss over the study was 3.5 pounds. That’s roughly equal to 12,250 calories per person. Henderson found the classes to be very helpful. “When you lose, you win,” she said. “I have gained something more valuable from losing weight than the prize money—my health.”  Lose to Win is conducted each year by MUSC’s dietetic interns, and Ruth’s quote is what every aspiring dietitian loves to hear   Friday, April 23, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.