The Creighton University Department of Exercise Science and the Creighton University Wellness Program are sponsoring a weight loss challenge to all Creighton and Tenet employees, students and family.
This year is the 6th annual CU on the Scale! Weight Loss Challenge. The contest is a 16-week competition that began on Nov. 6 and ends on Feb. 26, 2010. This year there are approximately 175 participants, the largest number in the history of the program.
The partnership between the exercise science department and Wellness Program has allowed Creighton to offer multiple weigh-in sites and additional programming that has further enhanced the existing program.
The CU on the Scale! program is an opportunity for people to come together as a team to lose weight and become healthier. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams and top three individuals that lose the highest percentage of their initial weight. The individual who loses the most weight will also be recognized.
The initial and final weigh-ins occur at three locations around campus: the Department of Exercise Science Laboratory in the Kiewit Fitness Center, the Harper Center, room 3053; and the Creighton University Medical Center: The Morrison Room.
“We also offer two optional weigh-in dates: Dec. 11 and Jan. 22,” said Geri Moore, the director of the Fitness Testing Laboratory. Participants who choose to attend the optional weigh-ins are able to track their progress, and they are eligible for raffle prizes.”
The Department of Exercise Science is offering a boot camp to encourage participants to include physical activity in their weight loss programs.
“Boot camp was brutal on the first day,” said Arts & Sciences senior Tonnisha Standifer. “I’m really excited about the progress I will make. My goal is to lose 15 pounds by graduation, and I think I’ll be able to achieve my goal.”
“We also give every contest participant $5 off any lab service coupon,” Moore said. “Participants may use this coupon to purchase any lab services, like personal training or fitness testing, if they would like additional guidance.”
Last year, 14 teams competed in the CU on the Scale! Program, and the total weight lost was 339.5 pounds. Eleven out of the 14 teams had 100 percent team participation and out of 95 original people who signed up for the contest last year, 89 completed the entire program. That means 94 percent of the participants completed the program, and all participants were invited to a final awards and celebration event at the end of the program.
“I feel that this program has been a great way to meet people from the Creighton community and to help people to work toward a common goal,” said Sara Egan, exercise science professor. “It’s also a great way to make Creighton healthier. From students to employees, there is a wide group of participants that are striving to make themselves healthier to make their life better.”