News Headlines

Become the Biggest Loser of Weight in Shelby County

Become the biggest loser in Shelby County — of weight, that is. A monetary award, year-long gym membership, a hair make-over, massage, and various gift cards are among the prizes available for the most successful competitors in the county’s weight loss and physical fitness program.
 
The opening weigh-in of participants takes place at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 25th and Monday, January 26th at 5:30 p.m. in the active Shelby County Courthouse, 2nd floor meeting room in Center. Participants will weigh-in, submit a $30 participation fee and have their “before” picture taken during registration.  
 
Assistant Vice President of Banking at Citizen’s Bank, Sharon Ratcliff and Sean Martin of Shelby County Today are among the first weight-loss competitors“I want to feel better and live a longer, healthier life along with lowering my risk of having a complicated health issue such as diabetes or high blood pressure,” stated Ratcliff.  “Also, this program will help increase my self-esteem and the value I place on myself by meeting personal goals.”  Ratcliff went on to say, “I participated in this program last year and upon completion had such a good feeling of accomplishment, not to mention that the instructor made it a fun learning experience.”
 
“It’s personal for me, I want and need to make some changes to get back to a healthy weight,” Martin said. “Since moving from a job that required a lot of movement to a position that is more sedentary, I’m finding it more difficult to get back in shape.  I also want to spend more time with my nephew and ensure that I’m here for many more years in order to keep harassing him.”
 
Winners of the 12-week long contest will be determined by the percentage of body weight they shed during the three-month competition, not by lost pounds.  All participants will weigh-in weekly to chart their progress (weights will be kept confidential), which ends with a final weigh-in at the Shelby County Extension office on April 21, 2015.  The winners will be awarded their prizes and recognized at an upcoming County Commissioners meeting.
 
Shelby County Extension Agent, Jheri-Lynn McSwain says the Shelby County Fit program also will include a weekly fitness program, a discounted gym membership, Sonic Boom participation with county employees, and healthy cooking classes.  New this year will be several optional 5K Fun Run/Walks to help increase physical activity in the participants.  Also, Shelby County has been issued a challenge by Panola County to try and beat their weight loss percentages.  
 
In conjunction, participants will be encouraged to enter an additional weight loss challenge for all of East Texas entitled Lighten Up East Texas.  Participants in this free contest will be eligible to win grand prizes such as a 2015 Hyundai Elantra, four $1,000 gift cards from Brookshire Brothers and many other great prizes.  For more information on this weight-loss challenge go to www.lightenupeastexas.com.
 
McSwain says she expects the weight-loss program to make a big impact at the start of the Shelby County Fit campaign. “This is a contest designed to be fun” she says, “but at the same time help people achieve their weight-loss goals. And although there are prizes, everyone who reaches a healthier weight is a winner.  Last year, I had 98 participants that worked hard and successfully lost a total of 728 pounds as a group. “I anticipate an even larger group of participants for the 2015 program.”
 
If you have questions about this wellness program, please contact Jheri-Lynn McSwain, County Extension Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences at 598-7744 or Jheri-Lynn.Smith@ag.tamu.edu or follow us on Facebook at Shelby County Extension Service FCS.
 

Roughriders Sports

Family Features

Loading Family Features Content Widget
Loading Family Features Article