Biggest Winners to begin in January

ESCANABA - January is the month for making changes. It is also the month when the Delta County's Biggest Winners health and weight loss program begins. Applications are now available for anyone who would like to make it their New Year's resolution to get healthy and fit.

This is the third year the Daily Press, OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group and the YMCA have offered the program. Each year, 10 applicants are chosen to take part in the weight loss competition which starts in January and lasts through May.

Throughout those five months, participants will receive dietary counseling from registered dietician Linda Klope, OSF St. Francis Hospital, 10 sessions with a personal trainer, five months of YMCA membership privileges and a one-on-one session with Pam Balentine PhD, Gray Matters, who will discuss the psychological issues that affect the way people eat.

Participants will also follow a calorie budget and nutrition plan, a one-hour fitness assessment and plan, and will attend eight weigh-ins and go on a grocery shopping trip with Klope to learn about nutrition facts and labels. They will have their metabolic rate and blood pressure measured, as well as have a nutritional assessment and lab values recorded.

"It's not just about losing weight, it's about getting physically fit," said Ann Troutman, Daily Press advertising director. "It's about getting stronger and healthier."

From a hospital's standpoint, OSF St. Francis is committed to the program because it has allowed people to not only lose weight, but lower their cholesterol and blood pressure in a healthy way, said Lanna Scannell, hospital community relations director.

"We also see people feeling so much better about themselves, and that's very rewarding and we're happy to be a part of it," said Scannell.

"It's been a great success," added Troutman.

Success has taken the form of 331.2 pounds, which was the grand total weight loss recorded for the 10 individuals who participated in the program in 2007.

Another success story comes from Linda Erickson, a 2008 participant, who said she used to suffer from a disability that made it difficult for her to stand for even a few minutes. Today, Erickson said her life is completely different because of the Biggest Winners program.

"Before I'd have to use a walker to do anything...and now my walker is up in the attic," she said. "This program was so fantastic, it's like I've got my old life back. I've gone from a size 20 pants to a size 10-12. I can't say enough about it. I wish I could get so many more people involved."