What a better way to start the first day of the rest of your life than by having a group of co-workers join you in your quest?
Cloquet Senior High School has put together two "Biggest Loser" teams to challenge each other in the life-changing challenge of a healthier life by losing weight, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, increasing physical activity and creating a better and more positive outlook on life. The program is an offshoot of the District Wellness policy that was put into effect last fall.
The groups were randomly selected by team captains CHS Assistant Principal Connie Hyde and CHS Indian Education Tutor Sean Williams. Each team consists of 19 people who will spend the next six months increasing their level of physical activity and paying closer attention to the foods they consume on a daily basis. A journaling and document sharing blog is set up at nicenet.org for the group to share ideas on recipes, weight loss tips, exercise tips, and just to vent.
The groups are being assisted by "trainers," athletic director Tom Lenarz, physics teacher and Alpine ski coach Ryan Zimny. economics teacher and head track coach Tim Prosen, and track and football coach Bill Hudspith. Each group also has a designated cheerleader to offer words of encouragement. Some members of each group have participated in a weight training orientation. Receptionist and BL participant Pam Schimenek has offered to dust off her aerobics CDs and tapes from the 1980s and '90s and put the group through the paces once a week. Teacher and participant Rene Montgomery has provided an "inspirational quote of the day" and yummy lo-cal, high taste recipes. Some team members are exercising on their own by walking during break time during the school day. Athletic coaches are being asked for their schedules for the weight room so the "Biggest Loser" groups can get a set schedule for the weight room.
Weigh-in for group participants is every Wednesday (now named "Weighday") with ISD No. 94 District Nurse Sarah Ellena. Ellena randomly assigned each biggest loser participant a number for the competition. CHS Math teacher Jana Anderson will be responsible for calculating each "loser's" percentage of weight loss each week. Bi-weekly team competitions are also in the works to increase the "fun" aspect of this life-changing experience. Group members are encouraged to take body measurements monthly as progress does not always show on the scale, but can show in how your clothes fit.
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Hyde continues to work on sponsorship through area businesses for T-shirts for the challenge groups and incentive gifts as participants pursue their final goal of weight loss for some and a healthier lifestyle for all.
Pam Schimenek contributed to this story.
