Participants Still Needed For Kosciusko FIT Weight Loss Program
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
As the new year approaches many people are looking for ways to get fit. Participants are needed for Kosciusko FIT, a community-wide initiative of weight loss and overall healthy lifestyles choices program. There are 174 participants, and more than 40 teams signed up so far. Friday is the registration deadline. Registration and payments can be made online at wkchamber.com, or dropped off to the Warsaw-Kosciusko Chamber of Chamber, or made via phone to the Chamber with a credit card. The program is being sponsored by Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce, Kosciusko County and North Webster YMCAs, Kosciusko Community Hospital, Purdue Extension and Giverny Fitness Studio. The grand prize is $1,000; second place is $500; and third place is $250, awarded to the teams with the highest percentage of weight loss. To promote a healthy lifestyle, the cash prizes will be awarded in two installments – half in June and half in September, based on weight loss. The team should be at the same percentage as the June percentage in September. If the team is unable to maintain its weight loss percentage, the other installment will not be awarded. Weigh-ins are mandatory in January and June for all the cash prizes. Each team member can miss one weigh-in during the six-month challenge, with the exception of January and June. Participation fee is $20 per person, $80 per team. All participants will receive a t-shirt at the challenge kick-off. The program can be for individuals and teams. Al Grossnickle, Chamber health care committee chair, said the program begins Jan. 12 and runs through June 7. The health care committee is a consortium of health care providers in the community who meet monthly to discuss healthcare and health and wellness topics. On Jan. 12, Elaine Wakefield, Kosciusko Community Hospital, will speak about “Diet-Not a 4-Letter Word” and there will be questions and answers for program details, and there will be door prizes with exercise bands with instructions. On Feb. 9, Wanda Cullison, KCH, will speak about “Have you crossed the line (metabolic syndrome). Giverny Fitness will speak about exercise and vouchers for exercise at Giverny will be presented. On March 8, Wanda Cullison, KCH, will speak about “Your heart could use an oil change (healthy fats).” KCH will present door prizes of bike and running reflectors. On April 12, Joan Younce, Purdue Extension, will speak about “Food Labeling.” YMCA will present door prizes. On May 10, Joan Younce, Purdue Extension, will present “Pass the Salt.” KCH will present pedometers, door prizes and there will be produce vouchers from Martins, Owens, and Marsh. On June 7, Elaine Wakefield, KCH, will present “Making calories count and rainbow of food maintenance.” “We are combining resources with the entities and patterning it after the Whitley County YMCA that has done a similar program,” Grossnickle said. Grossnickle said the goal is to have 300 participants. Teams of four are needed and must be age 18 or older to participate. “The purpose of the program is to have fun and enjoy their weight loss efforts, and learn how to live a healthy lifestyle,” Grossnickle said. Weigh-in times and locations are Kosciusko Community Hospital Health and Wellness Center, Warsaw YMCA, Smith Street and North Webster YMCA on the second Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Participants will receive a discounted membership to the YMCAs in Warsaw and North Webster, Kosciusko County Health and Wellness Center and Giverny Fitness during the program. Participants also can work out at their homes. Giverny Fitness Studio will be offering a 20 percent discount to any participants in the FIT program. This can be used on personal training, group exercise classes or the fitness center. KCH Health & Wellness Center will waive the $30 set-up fee for these participants who want to do monthly memberships and give them the corporate rates. Children ages 12-15 need to exercise under direct supervision of a parent. Children 16 and over may exercise independently. All members will need to fill out membership paperwork prior to exercising. Those who qualify to opt out of an assessment will need at least a 15-minute orientation. YMCA is offering all FIT participants a $75 membership discount.
