Join the 2012 Biggest Loser Challenge!

2012To deliver the highest quality of care to our patients everyday, we all need to be as healthy as possible. Take action to manage your weight, get fit,

eat healthy, and become your personal best.Register at wellness.sw.org BIGGEST LOSER W

EIGHT LOSS CHaLLEnGE

Challenge RulesWeight Loss Challenge:4-person teams of S&W staff and spouses will compete for 13 weeks to achieve the highest percentage of weight loss (February 3rd - May 4th).

Biggest Loser Teams:Have more than a combined 200 lbs to lose to achieve a healthy weight**

Biggest Little Loser teams:Have less than a combined 200 lbs to lose to achieve a healthy weight**

Team Trainers:Teams are encouraged to identify a Scott & White staff member to be their team “trainer” (motivator) and who serves to provide encouragement, support and motivation to the team. Team trainers are not part of the weight loss challenge.

For complete rules and registration for the 2012 Biggest Loser Challenge, visit http://wellness.sw.org, email biggestloser@swmail.sw.org or call Lisa Reeve at (254) 724-7878.

**BMI charts will be used to determine a healthy body weight range for participants.

My reason for joining the Biggest Loser Challenge wasbecause I got to a point where I was tired of being fat,unable to fit in my clothes, and knowing I did not look good.My biggest reason for doing the challenge was for myself, my kids, and my husband. I felt like I could not participate in daily activities such as playing outdoors or getting down on the floor to play games and then getting back up again. I also felt tired all the time. So, I joined the challenge with a group of my co-workers and friends. I was able to lose my weight by eliminating all tea and sodas. I drink only water and fat free milk now. I kept a diet diary and wrote down everything I put in my mouth and found healthier ways to eat. I exercised at least 3-4 days a week on my Wii Fit, and if I was able, I ran and played with my kids in the yard. I wore a size 16 and I dropped to a size 10. I am very happy with where I am and what I have accomplished. I hope to go a little further with the next challenge and plan on putting a team together. I have continued to maintain a healthy lifestyle and have maintained my weight. I get compliments everyday from people who know me, and some don’t recognize me. When my husband is asked how he feels about my weight loss, his reply is that “he traded me in for a younger model” and that he “is proud of me”. The challenge made a big difference in my life and I thank everyone for their support. If I can do it, anyone can do it. It takes Dedication and a BIG want.

Jenny Kayser, LVN lost - 16.14% Top 10 Individual winnerStir-rup Girls from Temple L&D

I joined the Biggest Loser because of something mydaughter said to me that made me step back and take anice hard look at myself. She was 11 at the time and suffersfrom juvenile arthritis. She struggles with constant painand all the other issues of a chronic illness. I am alwaystrying to help her deal with and manage these issues. One day shortly before the challenge she told me, “Nooffense mom, but you are always telling me that I need tolearn to deal with my illness and manage it but you can’t dealwith your own problem: obesity. You always say you are goingto lose weight and you never do.” That was what I needed. Ihave been struggling with my weight for years. I have multiple chronic health issues that are complicated by my weight. I have Osteoarthritis in my knees, Lupus, and just a few months earlier I learned that I had a brain condition called Chiari Malformation, so I had many reasons to lose weight. I lost 30lbs and had so much energy I was amazed.My knees improved and I came off my arthritis meds. Asluck would have it, shortly after the challenge ended I hadto have emergency brain surgery. By that time I was down40 lbs and sailed through the surgery beautifully and I knowit was because of the weight loss. Six weeks post brainsurgery I had to have a much needed hysterectomy and alsosailed through. I am doing great and have so much energythat my job performance has improved and I have decreasedmy meds by 75%. I want to lose 40 more lbs. I am verycompetitive so the Biggest Loser was perfect!

Luci Bostain, RN lost - 11.51%1st Place Biggest Loser TeamWii Not Fit Brenham

“The only thing you can’t do is what you don’t put yourmind to…” I was persuaded to participate in the Biggest Losercompetition by a co-worker who knew I wanted to loseweight. Although that might have been the catalyst thatgot me going, it was the mental makeover that really didthe trick. First and foremost, I had my team to keep memotivated. Their encouragement and belief in me lit aspark. I’m competitive by nature, but add your personalcheerleading squad to the mix and soon I had a raging fire!My methods of weight loss included: reducing my portionssizes, never skipping meals, trying my best to avoid foodshigh in fat & focused on healthier choices, stopped drinkingsodas, and walked every day. To those of you starting out oreven considering weight loss, I give you this advice:• Partner up. Find someone to hold you accountable and

keep you motivated.• Start small. Don’t set a goal that will take you months to

achieve. Instead set small goals that keep you moving in the right direction.

• Celebrate your accomplishments. You lost a pound – be proud! It may not show in how your pants fit now, but you’re on the right path.

• Make a list. Write down all the reasons you want to lose weight. What benefits are there for you? Keep this list visible – on your bathroom mirror, on your night stand, at your desk, or even on your pantry or refrigerator door. Keeping these visible will keep you motivated.

• Find the Fun. Mary Poppins once said, “In every task there is an element of fun.” Enjoy life – all aspects of it to the very fullest. Yes, even weight loss can be fun!

• Most importantly, do it for yourself. Don’t do it because someone else wants you to. Do it because YOU want to.

Tracy Brakeen lost - 19.61%1st place individual winnerHillcrest Mafia

29 30 31 32

Dropped 6 dress sizes

Jenny Kayser Luci Bostain

Scott & White’s

150 . . . . 200

2012

Lost 60 lbsDecreased 75% of meds

Register your team January 2 - February 3. The challenge starts February 3.

Tracy Brackeen

PrizesAlong with incentives, healthy benefits, and participation rewards, there will also be cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place at the conclusion of the challenge for: • Overall Biggest Loser Teams • Overall Biggest Little Loser Teams • Overall Individual Biggest Losers (who are not part of a winning

Biggest Loser/Biggest Little Loser Team) • Best Team Trainers (by team nomination) Note: Only trainers who are not in the weight loss challenge are eligible for best team trainer awards.

Executive MBA Program (Mind - Body - Activity)Invest in your health and participate in an intensive 13-week weight loss program. Our MBA program is available this Spring in Temple and Round Rock and is limited to 10 staff. Our team will help design your personal fitness program and healthy nutrition needed for a healthy lifestyle! For more information about the program and to register, visit Wellness.sw.org.