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Friday, 11 January 2008 |
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 Staff photo/Mary Bargdill
Denise Harris of St. Marys signs in at the Second Annual Grand Health Challenge Thursday evening at the Union Hall in St. Marys.
By MARY BARGDILL
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Nearly 500 participants of the Second Ever Grand Health Challenge packed into the Union Hall in St. Marys Thursday evening, ready to take on the biggest challenge yet.
Motivational speaker, author and President of The Winner’s Edge Bruce Boguski spoke during the first meeting of the six month health challenge and encouraged participants to achieve the impossible.
“Stick with it,” he said. “Give it everything you’ve got. Help each other out.”
Borguski told participants it was important to always live “in the now.” He also stressed supporting fellow team members.
“Never tell them they can’t do something. If a team member has a high goal, support them,” he said. “That’s what it’s going to take — belief you can do it.”
Boguski lost 40 pounds and managed to keep it off for two years.
“You have to change your attitude,” he said. “Those who complain, they never get anything done.”
The event is sponsored by the Grand Lake Health System, The Evening Leader and the Wapakoneta Daily News. A total of 129 teams are participating in this year’s health challenge.
“Our main goal is to kick start a healthier lifestyle for everyone — to help us live a healthier life for 2008 and beyond,” Evening Leader publisher Deb Zwez said.
Participants of the health challenge are required to weigh in monthly during the meetings, at the Joint Township District Memorial Hospital Cardiac Rehab Center or the Wapak Medical Center.
“Weighing in every month is the tie breaker,” Zwez said.
Teams are also strongly encouraged to submit photos each month. Grand prize for the team that is “the biggest loser” is $1,000 and will be awarded to the team that has the highest percentage weight loss. Second prize is $500, and third prize is $300.
To be eligible for cash prizes, the entire team must be in the challenge, Zwez said.
Individual prizes will also be awarded to one man and one woman who have each lost the greatest percentage of weight, but who are not members of the top three winning teams.
Prizes will also be awarded for best attendance record.
Wapakoneta resident Trina Jockers said she is motivated for the Grand Health Challenge. This is her second round with the challenge, and she is participating with her team members of Fifth Third Bank.
“I have a twin that weighs 100 pounds less than me,” Jockers said. “My goal is to get down to where she is.”
She noted that her team, comprised of two coworkers and her husband, Charles Jockers is receiving support from their colleagues.
“They’re talking about putting our picture up at work to get our customers behind us,” she said.
Annette Zwiebel, of Wapakoneta, is participating in the Grand Health Challenge with her team, One Thorn and Three Roses. Zwiebel said she and her friends are looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m ready for the challenge,” Zwiebel said. “I’m excited about it.”
Next month’s meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Union Hall in St. Marys.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 January 2008 )
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