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Weight loss program challenges people by Cindy Abole Public Relations MUSC employees and students and Lowcountry residents now have a chance to change their lives and improve their health through a new, competitive weight loss and lifestyle program organized through MUSC Harper Student Wellness Center.   Beginning Dec. 1, local men and women can sign up to participate in the MUSC Healthy Charleston Challenge. The 11-week fitness and weight loss program is designed to increase a person’s physical activity, teach skills, and offer professional guidance and account-ability for developing healthy lifestyle habits. The program, similar to TV's “The Biggest Loser,” works with teams and features help from a core of experienced  trainers, exercise physiologists, massage thera-pists, a registered dietitian and rehab therapist to help participants meet their goals. MUSC Sports Medicine will also be available for guidance and support.   “It’s no secret that weight and obesity are one of the top health issues facing Americans today,” said Janis Newton, Harper Wellness Center program coordinator. “People can now benefit from this new diet and fitness program that will provide the proper guidance, training and accountability that people need to succeed in their weight loss goals.”   Seven teams of six participants will work and exercise together as part of the competition. The program will run from Jan. 14 to March 27. The winning team in this challenge will be determined based on the percentage of body weight lost by the entire team.   Teams will be assigned a personal trainer and dietitian and will have full access to use the MUSC Harper Student Wellness Center throughout the competition. Teams will undergo a pre-and-post testing. Group workouts are scheduled weekly from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Thursdays. Wellness Center trainers will be available to assist participants as needed.   Additional workouts also can be coordinated by the team or conducted at home, outside and at other fitness centers. Teams are asked to attend weekly nutrition/educational meetings on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.   Sponsors for the challenge include area businesses committed to improving a healthy lifestyle, physical activity and nutrition around the Tri-county area. They include Charleston County Parks and Recreation, MUSC Weight Management Center, Charleston Chef Enan Parezo of Meal Week, Center for Therapeutic Massage and Jason’s Deli.   Additionally, Charleston County Parks and Recreation will provide a complimentary day for all team members to participate in the Challenge Course program at James Island County Park. The program will help teach  skills such as leadership, goal setting, trust, confidence and motivation—qualities that each participant needs to stay motivated and focused in achieving their own challenge goals.   “January and New Year's are an ideal time for people to commit to a weight loss program and competition like this,” said Bobby Shaw, MUSC Wellness Center director. “People are always thinking about how they will succeed in their New Year resolutions. This program provides the right environment, professional and experienced coaching and guidance to help people stay committed and motivated to an effort that will benefit them in the long run. Our Wellness Center staff stands ready to help each of them meet their personal goals.”   Reducing excess body weight and increasing fitness levels have been proven to lead in disease prevention and enhance a person’s overall quality of life. Research continues to show the benefits of regular exercise combined with healthy lifestyle activities as important factors in weight loss maintenance, according to Newton. Inactivity increases the risk for many chronic diseases and conditions including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, muscle deterioration, bone weakness, cancer, obesity and depression.   The program supports the South Carolina Healthy South Carolina Challenge to promote health and wellness across the Palmetto state. The MUSC Healthy Charleston Challenge encourages increased physical activity, healthy food choices and provides education and information to help individuals make choices that will lead to healthy, permanent lifestyle habits.   To apply for the challenge, see http://www.musc.edu/hsc or visit the Wellness Center membership desk. Participants should be at least 20 plus pounds overweight and are at-risk for developing chronic disease. Applica-tions will be reviewed and accepted based on permanent lifestyle change needs.     Employees are encouraged to form teams within their department or work areas however, individuals may also be randomly placed on teams.   Enrollment fee is $200 which includes workouts, personal training, nutritional consultations, and education sessions with health professionals and a temporary MUSC Wellness Center membership. For information, call 792-4141. Members of the winning Challenge Team will receive gifts from these sponsors: Charleston County Parks and Recreation—Gold Pass membership (good for one year’s membership) Challenge Course at James Island County Park—Complimentary day for all MUSC Challenge participants (second week of program) MUSC Weight Management Center will sponsor a six-member team and offer nutrition education Charleston Chef Enan Parezo of Meal Week—$100 value of healthy meals (Meals are personally prepared and cooked by Chef Parezo) Center for Therapeutic Massage—Massage Packages Jason’s Deli— $100 cash prizes     Friday, Nov. 30, 2007 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 catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.