Like the American idiom says:
third time’s the charm. Hopefully, the third MUSC Healthy Charleston Challenge
(HCC) will be that for 100 participants who are striving to find success through
weight loss and exercise while embracing healthy lifestyle habits.
At the program’s kick-off meeting
on Jan. 15 at the Harper Student Wellness Center Auditorium, HCC participants
were oriented to the program basics and introduced to the HCC staff and met
their team trainers and mentors. Participants will be weighed each week to
determine their progress. Teams and individuals will be assessed on their
weekly weight and percentage body weight
loss. Participants also maintain daily food-and-activity logs, committing
themselves to participating in some type of physical activity for 30 minutes
every day.
“We have 11
great teams this session,” said Janis Newton, HCC director and Harper Student
Wellness Center program director. “They are all ready to once and for all
overcome all barriers that have gotten in the way of past successes. It’s a
tough but rewarding process to finally achieve permanent health and fitness
goals. Once again, it’s an honor for the MUSC Wellness Center staff to be part
of this amazing experience.”
This group of determined
Tri-county men and women have made an important first step in what’s considered
a life-changing commitment toward better health and weight loss through
lifestyle changes. Participants will be divided into 11 sponsored teams to
compete in the 12-week competitive weight loss program, which runs to March 26.
Modeled after the popular TV reality show, The Biggest Loser, the challenge
helps participants achieve success through nutrition education, exercise,
professional guidance, teamwork, mentoring and accountability.
Each team has a trainer and
mentors to assist them. Mentors are two or more people who are HCC previous
participants and have been recruited to assist and provide guidance to the team.
“Mentors are probably the key to
building a strong and healthy team. Having been through the challenge, they
understand the need for accountability and support in being part of a strong,
successful team,” said Greg Shore, a former participant in the first HCC and now
staff head mentor.
HCC supports the Healthy South
Carolina Challenge, a statewide health initiative supported by Gov. Mark
Sanford, that promoting activity and lifestyle changes that decreases the risk
for chronic disease. Sanford’s wife, Jenny serves as honorary chair for the
Charleston’s challenge.
Team sponsors for the third MUSC
Healthy Charleston Challenge are: Anderson Insurance, Charleston County Parks
and Recreation, MUSC Weight Management Center, MUSC Boot Camp, the Culinary
Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College, Joe D. Bands, Team MUSC
Toe Seekers, Total Approach Wellness/Performance Training, Cario Middle School,
Ovie Mughelli Foundation and Louie’s Kids.
Participants also will attend
weekly educational meetings led by program professionals, which include Judith
Herron, a registered dietitian and nutritionist; Josh Brown, Ph.D.,
psychologist; David Albenberg, M.D., and Jennifer Pullano, M.D., program
physicians and Alicia O’Connor, head trainer.
Like the previous HCC
competitions, teams and participants will have a chance to compete for prize
packages provided by some of the Challenge sponsors. Winners will be selected
based on percentage body weight loss by an entire team and individually.
To follow the HCC team’s weekly
progress, visit http://www.musc.edu/hsc/programs/healthycharlestonchallenge.html
Friday, Jan. 23, 2009
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