December 23, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DEBORAH
ROBERTS PUGH
(662) 377-3712
Visit www.nmhs.net
for an electronic version of this article.
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.
Sponsors of this
program include Dr. T.N. Braddock, NMMC-West Point Rehabilitation
Services-Jason Armstrong, NMMC-West Point Medical Staff, First Presbyterian
Church USA-Rita Cochrane, Ellis Steel, Jubilations Cheesecake, Union Planters
Bank, Eye Clinic of West Point, West Point Animal Clinic-Pete Edwards, D.V.M.,
and 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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Weigh Down in West
Point
Educational Sessions
Week 1 Setting
Goals
Tuesday, January 20 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, January 20 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, January 22 6 p.m. Beasley Community Center
Tuesday, January 27 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, January 27 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, January 29 6 p.m. Beasley Community Center
Tuesday, February 3 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, February 3 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, February 5 6 p.m. Beasley Community Center
Tuesday, February 10 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, February 10 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, February 12 6 p.m. Beasley
Community Center
Tuesday, February 17 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, February 17 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, February 19 6 p.m. Beasley
Community Center
Tuesday, February 24 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, February 24 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, February 26 6 p.m. Beasley
Community Center
Week 7 Diabetes
Control & Information
Tuesday, March 2 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, March 2 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, March 4 6 p.m. Beasley Community Center
Tuesday, March 9 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, March 9 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, March 11 6 p.m. Beasley Community Center
Tuesday, March 16 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, March 16 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, March 18 6 p.m. Beasley Community Center
Tuesday, March 23 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, March 23 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, March 25 6 p.m. Beasley Community Center
Tuesday, March 30 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, March 30 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, April 1 6 p.m. Beasley Community Center
Tuesday, April 6 Noon NMMC-West Point
Tuesday, April 6 6 p.m. Clay County Extension Service
Thursday, April 8 6 p.m. Beasley Community Center
All programs are free and open to the public.
For more information, call (662) 495-9355.