The Student Life Wellness Center at Champlain College has posed a serious challenge to both faculty and students - who can lose the most? The 10-week long fitness program, Champlain Loses It, based on NBC's The Biggest Loser, attempts to turn participants into health nuts with a competitive edge. Yes, this could be a dangerous combination, but it seems to be working. Within the first week alone, participants have collectivity lost 174 pounds, more than a pound per person.
The spearheads of the program Student Activities Coordinator Emily Ginter and Wellness Coordinator Nakeeya Deas are thrilled with the support they have already received. The Champlain Cafeteria is helping the project by labeling food options that are Champlain Loses It approved.
"We really want people to focus not solely on losing pounds, but on becoming more educated in leading healthier lifestyles and creating healthier habits," Ginter said.
The program strives to get students, faculty and staff more involved in the classes offered at the wellness center and allow for healthy competition and teambuilding in the Champlain community.
Deas says she has seen a dramatic increase in attendance at the wellness center, even during the initial kick off week of the program. Both Deas and Ginter thought that participants would be more inclined to go to the wellness center if they knew it was other people's first time too.
The response to the new program was overwhelming, Ginter said. "It's been very hectic in a good way, we are so excited that so many people are interested."
The Champlain Loses It program, started on Jan. 22 with more than 150 participants, participants could sign up individually or in a group of up to four people. A small fee to participate $10 for faculty and $5 for students applied.
Participants received a Champlain Loses It t-shirt, access to group personal training twice per week, access to a registered dietician twice during the 10-week program and a chance to win the grand prize worth $50 of a spa makeover or gift certificate to Healthy Living.
Following the reality TV show model, eliminations are held weekly. During the weekly group weigh-in session all members of the group will be privately weighted simultaneously on the large scale located in the Student Life Center Dining Hall. The group with the lowest weight loss will be eliminated, but is encouraged to continue with the program. The winning group with the highest percentage weight loss is granted immunity for the following week's weigh-in. At the finale there will be prizes for all groups.
Ginter has great expectations for the outcome of the Champlain Loses It program. "Participants are learning how to use the equipment in the gym properly, they are getting real life health consolations and have the support from their team members, all of this will help them lead healthier and happier lives."