Locals earn honors in "A Healthier Weigh" program by CSU Extension

The Colorado State University Extension Family and Consumer Science Department recently announced the successful completion of its 19th annual 'A Healthier Weigh' program. This 12-week initiative is dedicated to enhancing the health and wellness of individuals across seven rural counties on the Eastern Plains. By promoting active lifestyles, encouraging informed food choices and offering comprehensive, science-based education on health, exercise and nutrition, the program aims to build healthier communities.

Central to the program is the InBody Machine, a sophisticated tool that accurately measures body composition. It provides participants with detailed insights into body fat percentage, skeletal muscle mass, Basal Metabolic Rate and Segmental Lean Body Analysis. This data guides participants on their health journey, allowing them to track progress beyond the scale and understand the actual transformations within their bodies. As a gesture of appreciation, CSU Extension is offering a discount for InBody scans throughout 2024 to all of this year's participants.

In Phillips County, the program saw inspiring participation and results. Out of 38 initial participants, 37 completed the weigh-outs, including four teams of four, seven pairs of two and eight individuals. The collective effort resulted in a total weight loss of 51.10 pounds (one percent per person), a waist circumference reduction of 31 inches, a skeletal muscle mass gain of 24 pounds and a body fat loss of 45.5 pounds.

The program also encourages physical activity by holding a step competition. Participants' dedication to physical activity was truly inspiring. A total of 33,328,424 steps were taken, equating to 16,664.21 miles. On average, each person covered 438.5 miles, or seven miles per day, over 12 weeks. Participants who exceeded the goal of 10,000 steps per day were celebrated, with Elise Pocock leading the way with an impressive 2,120,910 steps (1,060 miles).

To qualify for team or individual placement and cash prizes, participants must complete five of the 24 lesson options and respond to at least one of the three application choices over 12 weeks. This requirement was designed to foster active participation, leading to increased knowledge and positive behavioral changes. This year, lessons were converted into audio recordings, enhancing accessibility. The program saw 314 lessons completed, marking a 60 percent increase in overall lessons from 2023. Thirty-six participants met the minimum requirement and four completed all available lessons. Additionally, webinars provided by CSU Extension Nutrition Specialists covered topics such as the health benefits of eating beans and the risks of using diabetic medication, like Ozempic, for weight loss.

For the second consecutive year, optional fitness assessments were offered, helping participants gauge their overall fitness and set realistic goals. These assessments highlighted non-scale victories such as improvements in cardiovascular health, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility. All participants who completed a fitness assessment were entered into a cash prize drawing, with ten participants receiving awards. Twenty-one participants completed both pre- and post-fitness assessments, while 26 opted for pre-assessments only. Winners of the cash prizes were Kim Guernsey, Tarah Priddy, Diane Fryrear, Seth Starkebaum, Laura Coffin, Meredith Sparks, Carly Daniel, Megan Thompson, Phawn Houghtelling and Lynn Seger.

New this year was a nutrition calendar challenge introduced for National Nutrition Month in March. This optional challenge encouraged participants to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables in various colors. Nine participants submitted their calendars, averaging 23 out of 31 days. Those who consumed 15 or more days were entered into a cash drawing; winners include Diana Green, Nicole Brandt and Kendra Biesemeier.

In the Teams of Four category, The Real Slim Shady (Carly Daniel, Tarah Priddy, Phawn Houghtelling and Nichole Brandt) won first place, while second place went to Thighsmen Trophy Winners (Nici Akey, Deanna Deselms, Lynda Firme and Brenda Krueger) and third place was awarded to Weigh to Go! (Josilyn Lutze, Janessa Lutze, Mendi Lutze and Elise Pocock). In the Pairs of Two category, Sole Sisters (Paige Thompson and Holly Kurtzer) secured first place, with Challenge to Change (Mary Beth Hovel and Diane Fryrear) in second place. Third place resulted in a tie between Dynamic Duo (Jessie Salyards and Megan Thompson) and The Waist Watchers (Lisa Atkins and Kim Guernsey). In the individual competition, Team RED (Laura Coffin) took first place, followed by No More BonBons (Bonnie Jackson) in second place and Cows (Lynn Seger) claimed third place.

The success of the "A Healthier Weigh" program this year underscores the dedication and commitment of the participants. By providing tools and support for sustainable health improvements, CSU Extension strives to positively impact the well-being of rural communities. It is exciting to announce the continuation of the "A Healthier Weigh" program, with dates from January through April 2025. This timeframe was strategically chosen to help participants stay active, eat healthy and maintain focus on their health during the challenging winter and early spring months.

Participants have reported that the "A Healthier Weigh" program can lead to increased energy, improved sleep, decreased stress, heightened awareness, improved blood pressure and blood glucose levels, enhanced mental health, better self-image and increased confidence in participating in everyday activities. Overall, participants stated they felt better and enjoyed the support.

CSU Extension will offer discounts to businesses that enroll their employees in next year's program to promote workplace wellness. If you are interested in enrolling your employees in the program for the 2025 season, please contact Stephanie Starkebaum by calling the CSU Phillips County Extension office at (970) 854-3616 or emailing her at [email protected].