Weight loss program showing great success

In the Sidney Regional Medical Center/Cheyenne County Community Center’s Get Fit Stay Fit Challenge a total of 246 pounds have been lost in the first month of the challenge, according to Ashley Houtwed, Sidney RMC director of nutrition services.

Those pounds lost only account for the weight loss of 36 participants that attended the first weigh-in at the center this Feb. 6 and there are 102 total participants competing in the challenge.

“The middle weigh-ins are not required but a way to see how they have progressed,” Kiersten Richards, the Cheyenne County Community Center activities director said.

All participants must weigh-in on the last day of the challenge for a chance to win prizes and winners will be determined on total percent weight loss.

“Our top male lost 25 pounds (8 percent weight loss), and top female lost 18 pounds (7.93 percent weight loss) so far,” said Houtwed.

The next weigh-in will be March 6 from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the center, said Houtwed.

Before that weigh-in, challenge participants will have a chance to race their pounds off in the Cupid Shuffle 5K walk/run this weekend.

The race will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 8:30 a.m. Race-day registration begins at 8 a.m.

The Cupid Shuffle 5K will start at the Sidney Legion Park Shelter House and will wind to the fairgrounds via the bike trail. Participants will then hear the music of the halfway turn around point and race back to the shelter house.

However this race is different from the other races of the challenge, according to Houtwed.

“It’s a predictor’s challenge so they have to predict what their time is going to be and then the closest to their predicted time wins,” she said.

“It’s not the first people who cross the finish line, it’s the people who get closest to their finish time,” said Richards of the twist to the race.

A medal will be awarded to the top male and top female closest to their predicted time.

To ensure that participants don’t slow down or speed up to close their gap on their predetermined time, runners will not be allowed iPods, phones, watches or any other device that keeps track of time, said Richards.

“I heart running” shirts will be available at the event for $5 along with race belts for $15 and Jillian Michael’s total body fitness kits. There are approximately 15 of the kits left and they are available to anyone – not just racers.

“We have been getting great feedback from people using the total body kits,” said Richards. “It’s something they can use at home if they don’t have time to come to the gym or don’t have a gym membership. It is something that they can use and still get a great workout with for a minimal price or while they are home with the kids.”

Participants still receive fitness emails on Tuesdays and nutrition emails on Thursdays. Houtwed said that some participants seem frustrated with only losing eight to 10 pounds, but she encourages them and said that losing weight too fast is not healthy.

“Losing that means that they are actually doing really well. It’s only been a month,” said Houtwed. “You are only supposed to lose one to two pounds a week. Realistically four to eight pounds is an ideal healthy weight loss. But losing it depends on the person, their body type and their lifestyle.”

Richards said that she is impressed with how the challenge has been progressing so far.

“For it being the fourth year in a row we are getting great numbers of participants,” said Richards. “I’ve noticed a lot more newer faces coming to the gym and coming to our fitness classes.”