Posted 1:12 am Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Weight Loss Challengers Focus On Holistic Health
By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer
The message during this week's “10-in-10 Challenge” weigh-in was about caring for the body holistically, while finding motivation to triumph over obstacles on the road to wellness.
The challenge was created by Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel, who, along with Tyler Morning Telegraph publisher Nelson Clyde, has led the effort to lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks. By week six, both men have already exceeded the goal with McDaniel losing a total of 12 pounds and Clyde 13.2.
Each week, the challenge weigh-ins are located at an institution supportive of the goals of the Fit City Challenge, a community-wide initiative promoting healthy lifestyle changes.
On Tuesday, it was at Trinity Mother Frances' Louis & Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. It was a fitting location, hospital and public health officials said, as they highlighted American Heart Month and noted factors such as obesity lead to cardiovascular disease.
Staff Writer
The message during this week's “10-in-10 Challenge” weigh-in was about caring for the body holistically, while finding motivation to triumph over obstacles on the road to wellness.
The challenge was created by Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel, who, along with Tyler Morning Telegraph publisher Nelson Clyde, has led the effort to lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks. By week six, both men have already exceeded the goal with McDaniel losing a total of 12 pounds and Clyde 13.2.
Each week, the challenge weigh-ins are located at an institution supportive of the goals of the Fit City Challenge, a community-wide initiative promoting healthy lifestyle changes.
On Tuesday, it was at Trinity Mother Frances' Louis & Peaches Owen Heart Hospital. It was a fitting location, hospital and public health officials said, as they highlighted American Heart Month and noted factors such as obesity lead to cardiovascular disease.
Debby Neel, administrative director of preventive health and wellness at Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics, said the hospital has established an employee wellness program which includes education classes, onsite group fitness and a walking trail.
Heart Fit, she said, was designed specifically for individuals who are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
“We are happy to promote the concept of Fit City Challenge and the 10-in-10 weeks because that's part of our mission,” she said.
Stress management programs also are included in the system's wellness program.
“Wellness is all about mind, body spirit,” Ms. Neel said. “It's not just the physical. We have to have that balance in our lives. If we are not emotionally and spiritually healthy, it impacts that motivation to be physically healthy. It all goes hand and hand.”
Heart Fit, she said, was designed specifically for individuals who are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
“We are happy to promote the concept of Fit City Challenge and the 10-in-10 weeks because that's part of our mission,” she said.
Stress management programs also are included in the system's wellness program.
“Wellness is all about mind, body spirit,” Ms. Neel said. “It's not just the physical. We have to have that balance in our lives. If we are not emotionally and spiritually healthy, it impacts that motivation to be physically healthy. It all goes hand and hand.”
Ms. Neel has had personal success in recent months. She's lost about 15 pounds since October, and although she'd been an active runner all her life, she needed to find more incentive to aim for optimal health.
“Since the Fit City challenge started, I had kind of a recommitment to challenge myself to lose some weight and also to eat healthier,” she said. “And I felt like if I was going to be out promoting that, of course I needed to be walking the talk.”
George Roberts, chief executive director of Northeast Texas Public Health District, said obesity is a great threat to East Texans. He pointed out that 28 percent of Smith County residents are obese, with 9 percent suffering from diabetes. Drawing on the importance of total wellness, he noted that 41 percent of Smith County residents have high cholesterol, and 21 percent have high blood pressure.
McDaniel said losing weight and maintaining it is about constantly making adjustments. He also noted the importance of overall wellness.
“I feel great and that's my motivation, not the weight loss…” he said. “I'm in that category of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but I'll tell you, I've lost 12 pounds now and it's already better. My goal is to get off my meds and not to have to take those on a daily basis. All of us can benefit from that, regardless of who we are and our starting point.”
Clyde said while the discouraging feeling of a weight loss plateau can knock people off course, it's important to pull from the strength of others. He was up about one pound during Tuesday's weigh-in. Nonetheless, he said his clothes are fitting better, and he's getting encouragement from others who have been following the challenge.
“Let's encourage each other and pull people out of that place of feeling hopeless,” Clyde said.
For more information about the Fit City Challenge, visit www.fitcitytyler.com.
“Since the Fit City challenge started, I had kind of a recommitment to challenge myself to lose some weight and also to eat healthier,” she said. “And I felt like if I was going to be out promoting that, of course I needed to be walking the talk.”
George Roberts, chief executive director of Northeast Texas Public Health District, said obesity is a great threat to East Texans. He pointed out that 28 percent of Smith County residents are obese, with 9 percent suffering from diabetes. Drawing on the importance of total wellness, he noted that 41 percent of Smith County residents have high cholesterol, and 21 percent have high blood pressure.
McDaniel said losing weight and maintaining it is about constantly making adjustments. He also noted the importance of overall wellness.
“I feel great and that's my motivation, not the weight loss…” he said. “I'm in that category of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but I'll tell you, I've lost 12 pounds now and it's already better. My goal is to get off my meds and not to have to take those on a daily basis. All of us can benefit from that, regardless of who we are and our starting point.”
Clyde said while the discouraging feeling of a weight loss plateau can knock people off course, it's important to pull from the strength of others. He was up about one pound during Tuesday's weigh-in. Nonetheless, he said his clothes are fitting better, and he's getting encouragement from others who have been following the challenge.
“Let's encourage each other and pull people out of that place of feeling hopeless,” Clyde said.
For more information about the Fit City Challenge, visit www.fitcitytyler.com.
