Ball State begins first holiday weight loss challenge
Participants start 10-week program with survival strategies
November 10, 2004
By Emily Ortman
Junior Kim Ingle didn't have to beg her mother to join her in a weight-loss program because the two have a close relationship
"We do everything together," Ingle said. When her mother received an e-mail advertising the Ball State Holiday Weight Loss Challenge, they both thought it would be a great goal to take on together.
"By being in it with her, I can help encourage her," Ingle said.
Ingle and her mother, along with 18 other people, began their commitment to the BSU Holiday Weight Loss Challenge Tuesday night at the first meeting.
The 10-week program includes a free personal trainer, nutrition counseling and five sessions that will instruct the group on body image, stress management and exercise.
Health educator Lisa Thomason developed the program because of the emphasis weight loss has seen in the media lately.
"With the majority of Americans being overweight," Thomason said," looking around I haven't noticed Ball State to be any different from other places in the country."
She said that the average weight for male students is 185 pounds and the average weight for female students is 146 pounds.
"Thirty-three percent of Ball State students describe themselves as being overweight," Thomason said.
The participants will set goals such as losing weight or gaining muscle for the duration of the 10-week period, and they will record their progress along the way.
"Weight loss in general is a choice the person makes," Thomason said. "It is not something anyone else can force them to do."
The participants will exercise twice a week -- 30 minutes of cardiovascular and 30 minutes of weight lifting -- in a small group with a trainer. Thomason said that working in small groups will help create a support system and make participants accountable to each other for reaching their goals.
At the first meeting guest speaker Janyanthi Kandiah, professor of family and consumer sciences, gave advice to the participants on the best ways to stick with the program. She said to avoid all-you-can-eat restaurants, to call ahead to ask about low fat meals when dining out and to eat smaller portions.
Kandiah said that people should not go grocery shopping on an empty stomach because that makes them more prone to buying unhealthy foods. She advised participants to ask themselves "Am I really hungry?" so as to avoid eating just because they are bored.
"There is no quick fix and no quick solution," Kandiah said referring to weight loss and healthy lifestyles. "You should try to cut back slowly."
As an exercise science major, Ingle said she already knows most of the concepts the program uses, but she still hopes to learn more about becoming a healthier person.
Crowned Miss Anderson three weeks ago, Ingle said she already has a personal trainer she visits about once a month to keep in shape for pageants. She joined the program as well to help her achieve her goal of winning the Miss Indiana pageant in June.
"I think we'll both be successful," Ingle said of her mother and herself.
Source:www.bsudailynews.com
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