When the committee announced its intentions of conducting a six-month community weight loss challenge, they had no idea what the response would be.
In January, 688 local residents came out to join the Kosciusko FIT program, which formed 174 teams competing for cash prizes for the highest percentage of weight loss.
As a part of the Kosciusko FIT program, participants enjoyed monthly education sessions on nutritional topics as well as exercise and fitness topics presented by the program coordinators Kosciusko Community YMCA, Kosciusko Community Hospital, Purdue Extension and Warsaw/Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.
Local sponsors provided additional support, including Giverny Fitness, Miller’s Merry Manor, Century Link, K21 Foundation, Lake City Radio and the Times-Union.
As a perk to the program, participants have received many local fitness center discounts and incentives such as exercise passes, running and biking reflectors and exercise bands.
After the February and March weigh-ins, the group weight loss was 4,583 pounds. The committee was thrilled with the results and has hopes of more to come.
The committee was also pleased to be able to announce an addition to the cash prizes that will be awarded at the end of the program.
In addition to the team prizes for the top three teams, participants are also now competing for the top three individual male and female weight loss champs, who will be awarded cash prizes.
With only three weigh-ins left until the conclusion of the program in June, the hope is that participants are really starting to make lifestyle changes that will not fade in time but be the “new normal” as they enjoy healthy and active lives.
The committee has been so pleased with this year’s response that they intend to conduct Kosciusko FIT again in 2013 for those who missed the deadline this year.
