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.

 

Join Texas A&M AgriLife Service and Nacogdoches Medical Center for the opening weigh-in of participants which takes place February 22 – 26, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Shelby County Extension office at 200 San Augustine Street, Annex Building. Participants will weigh-in, submit a $30 participation fee and have their “before” picture taken during registration.  

 

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 Extension office the week of May 9-13.  The winners will be awarded their prizes and recognized at a Celebration event on May 19th.

 

Shelby County Extension Agent, Jheri-Lynn McSwain says the Shelby County Fit program also will include a weekly “Walk Yourself Fit” fitness program, Walk Across Texas competition, healthy nutrition classes, health screenings, and guest speakers from the medical profession.  Optional 5K Fun Run and Walks to help increase physical activity in the participants will be conducted in March and April.  

 

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 2016 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 69 participants that worked hard and successfully lost a total of 354 pounds as a group. “I anticipate an even larger group of participants for the 2016 program.”

 

If you have questions about this wellness program, please contact Jheri-Lynn McSwain, County Extension Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences at 598-7744 or jlmcswain@ag.tamu.edu or follow us on Facebook at Shelby County Extension Service FCS.