North Fulton Regional Hospital – Roswell, GA (February 26, 2009) – Losing is not always a bad thing, especially when it comes to extra, unwanted pounds. On March 2, North Fulton Regional Hospital will kick off the 10-week NFRH Biggest Loser Challenge for hospital employees and volunteers.
Curious inquirers attended two informational sessions on Wednesday [2/26] to learn more about the challenge. With the big turnout, it is clear that North Fulton Regional Hospital is fostering a loser culture.
Based on the popular NBC reality television show, The Biggest Loser Challenge is intended to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle that will promote weight loss.
“Diets don’t work. I dieted my whole life and managed to get up to 400 pounds,” explained Ginger Rock, North Fulton Regional Hospital’s Bariatric Program Assistant. “You have to make a lifestyle change in order for it to last.” Eight years ago, Rock underwent gastric bypass surgery to gain control of her weight and her life after years of failed attempts. Now almost 250 pounds lighter, she is passionate about helping others with the struggle to lose weight and keep it off for the long term. “You have to start wherever you can. If it’s simply a 15 minute walk, so be it.”
Participants of the challenge signed a contract where they agreed to (a) exercise a minimum of 80 minutes over the course of four days each week, (b) be conscious of their food intake in order to make healthy choices, and (c) drink plenty of fluid every day. Throughout the duration of the challenge, participants will also weigh in each Monday morning, keeping track of their progress. To ensure fairness to all, the winner will be determined based on the overall percentage of weight loss from the first weigh-in to the final weigh-in.
Bariatric Program Coordinator and Personal Trainer Monette Smoak provided the inquirers at the informational sessions with some simple exercise tips to kick start the challenge. “Number one: your exercise program must be enjoyable. Number two: it must be affordable, and number three: it has got be convenient.” She also stressed the importance and validity of baby steps, as they can quickly “add up to big steps over time.”
But exercise is only half of the equation when it comes to sustainable weight loss. Registered Dietitian Laura Still works at North Fulton Regional Hospital, educating patients about proper eating habits for their health.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of fiber when you want to lose weight,” Still said. “Fiber is the shower for our insides—it cleanses the body. It also slows the process of digestion which helps keep us fuller longer and can prevent us from overeating.” The recommendations are for individuals to consume 20-35 grams of fiber per day, which can be obtained from food sources including fruits and vegetables (primarily the skins), whole grains, and legumes.
So the challenge is on. It remains to be seen who will be North Fulton Regional Hospital’s Biggest Loser.
North Fulton Regional Hospital (NFRH), part of Tenet Georgia, is a 202-bed, acute-care hospital located on Highway 9, Alpharetta Highway, in Roswell. Opened in 1983, NFRH serves North Fulton and surrounding counties through its team of over 1000 employees, 400 staff physicians and 200 volunteers. NFRH is a state-designated Level II trauma center and provides a continuum of services through its centers and programs, including neurosciences, orthopedics, rehabilitation, surgical services, bariatric surgical weight loss, gastroenterology and oncology. The hospital is fully accredited and also is certified as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.
For more information about the Biggest Loser Challenge, call 770-751-2924. For more information about North Fulton Regional Hospital’s programs and services, visit www.northfultonregional.com.
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