WEIGH DOWN IN WEST POINT PLANNED FOR 2004

WEST POINT, Miss.—Residents of West Point and Clay County are being challenged to a little healthy competition during 2004.

The North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point Wellness Center is teaming up with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the local AARP affiliate for “Weigh Down in West Point,” the biggest undertaking of its type in this area.

The 12-week program kicks off in January with two health fairs. The first health fair is from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, at NMMC-West Point, 835 Medical Center Dr. Another health fair will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Beasley Community Center, located at the intersection of Hwys. 46 and 389.

During the health fairs, individuals can take advantage of free health screenings and information, as well as enroll in the team competition. Teams of 10 people, which can consist of co-workers, family members and friends, will set a goal to lose 100 pounds collectively during the 12 weeks. Each week, at least one team member must attend an educational session and share the information with the rest of the team. Teams who meet the weight and educational goals will be rewarded both physically and financially.

Fighting fat can be hard, lonely and tedious, but organizers are working to make it something fun when done together with family and friends. “We hope teams will share their successes and failures, and that they will be motivated by one another,” explained Tracy Stebbins-Madar, director of the NMMC-West Point Wellness Center. “Losing weight might be easier to do if you have company.”

Those who cannot attend either health fair may enroll in the program at the NMMC-West Point Wellness Center, 851 Medical Center Drive, before Friday, Jan. 16.

The program’s theme is “It’s My Health, One Step at a Time.” Free educational sessions begin the week of Jan. 19 and will be scheduled at various locations throughout Clay County. Weekly topics include goals and incentives; weight management; benefits of physical activity; recipe modification and label reading; blood pressure control; chronic illness; diabetes; heart health; tobacco use; stress management; medications and supplements; and maintaining success. Each one-hour session will also include an opportunity for participants to exercise. These sessions are open to anyone, not only to participants in the weight loss competition.

A schedule of educational sessions will soon be made available. One-page information sheets on each weekly topic will also be distributed by the sponsoring agencies, as well as through local businesses, restaurants, beauty salons and other establishments.

This program has been endorsed by The Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness and Sports. For more information on Weigh Down in West Point, call the NMMC-West Point Wellness Center at (662) 495-9355 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).

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