Weight loss program begins at SVSU

January 28, 2008 —

Last November, approximately 300 students expressed interest in a workshop that would aid them in living a healthier lifestyle. Counseling and Health Services, along with the Student Wellness Committee, and in collaboration with Campus Recreation and Residential Life has responded to that interest with a program called "The Biggest Winner."

The Biggest Winner is a free ten week program available only to students that will include workshops that focus on fitness, nutrition, physical health, and emotional health; as well as prizes and giveaways.

Director of Counseling and Health Services Tony Thomson emphasized that the program is like NBC's "Biggest Loser" in name only. Thomson believes that "Biggest Loser" has both a negative connotation and "limits the participants to those with extreme weight and health issues." "Biggest Winner" is open to any student who wants to learn how to have a healthier lifestyle. The program is also not to be confused with ECS (Employment Compensation Services)'s own Weight-Watchers-sponsored contest for faculty only.

The program begins February 4 and ends on April 21. The first week will offer 4 orientations, Monday through Thursday, so that everyone enrolled in the program will be able to attend one. On Friday, an optional Body Analysis will be offered, and again during weeks 5 and 10, so that progress can be more closely monitored. Participants are required to attend at least 10 of the 80-100 workshops offered, and to exercise at least 3 times a week. Exercise logs and other information will be made available on the program's website. Trips to places off-campus are planned for participants, such as rock climbing and skiing.

Workshops will be be staffed by campus faculty, community volunteers, peer health mentors, chefs from Dining Services, and Exercise Science majors. The staff will be helpful, but will not be providing particular one-on-one help all of the time, because students need to learn to lead healthier lives for themselves so that they continue in their newly learned good habits long after the program ends.

Scott Martin, 3rd year Exercise Science major and Athletic Coaching minor, will be one of the "trainers." When asked what his responsibilities would be in the program, Martin explained, " They deal primarily with physical activity and exercise. The goals for this program are basically to provide the knowledge of a variety of physical activities and exercise strategies that the students can then use to reach the goals they set for themselves. We want them to become confident in themselves and in what they are doing as they look to improve their personal health and fitness."

Both Martin and Director Thomson agree that the goal of this program is to give students the knowledge and tools to lead healthier, happy lives.

"This program is about learning to become healthier, it is not trying to lose the maximum amount of weight you can in a short amount of time." Hilary Crichton, Health & Wellness Educator.

To enroll and/or find more information, visit svsu.edu/biggestwinner.