Contestants focused on making healthier choices
Murray Dufrene gave up Blue Bell ice cream and bread.
It was hard, but Dufrene did it.
He lost 30 pounds as part of the St. Charles Parish’s own Biggest Loser Competition held in April, and it was a decision that was far more important to him than just fitting into smaller pants.
“At 51 years of age, I do not take any medications,” he said. “Hopefully, losing the weight will help me continue not being required to take medications.”
Dufrene, an assistant risk manager, was the “Biggest Loser Male” and “Biggest Loser (Body Mass Index)” in the parish government’s own version of the contest. Dawn Higdon, a legal assistant, won the third category, the “Biggest Loser Female.”
The contest is the first initiative by the parish’s Wellness Committee, an internal committee organized to promote healthy living to employees and provide information to encourage, motivate and help them invest in their health.
One of the committee’s 2015 major goals is to emphasize the fact that claims histories directly affect premiums and the healthier employees are, the less they use their insurance. Wellness campaigns such as the Biggest Loser Contest helps to maintain parish benefits.
For Dufrene, the Biggest Loser provided the added incentive he needed to continue a diet he started in early January.Although he considered it a good experience, he’s hoping he does not have to do it again if he can keep his weight at 200 pounds. He did it by walking, documenting intake of all food, cutting out soda and limiting carbohydrates.
Higdon politely declined to provide her earlier weight, but did say she lost 9-1/2 pounds in the contest.
“It was fun to participate with my coworkers,” she said. “We would tease with each other all the time about what we brought for lunch and the like.”
She basically followed the Weight Watchers program because it focuses on eating regular foods rather than avoiding them. Higdon said she doesn’t consider losing weight about giving up anything, but rather about making healthier choices focused on moderation and exercise.
The challenge is making time for exercise.
“I’m a member of Ndurance Fitness in Destrehan and its owners and employees are a constant encouragement. Their educated tips have been a leading factor in my losing weight and maintaining a healthier lifestyle,” Higdon said of a place that taught her the 80-20 rule. It is based on making wise choices 80 percent of the time and treating yourself 20 percent of the time.
Higdon also said the Biggest Loser contest provided the incentive to get it done.
“In the last six or so years, I have lost approximately 70 pounds and have maintained that loss,” she said. “There have been times that I’ve lost or gained a few, but basically maintained. This contest was a way for me to get motivated to do better.”
This year’s contest, themed, “To see a change, you have to make a change,” was held Feb. 2 through April 20. Participants attended three weigh-ins by the Cardiovascular Institute of the South. The contest drew more than 76 participants and the winners were announced May 4 at the annual Benefits Fair where they received cash and other prizes.
During the contest, a fitness boot camp focusing on cardio and toning for parish employees also was offered by committee member Donrell Mckenzie. Community partners of the program included the Cardiovascular Institute of the South.While the Biggest Loser was the first initiative taken by the parish’s Wellness Committee, other initiatives included the implementation of a wellness section to the Benefits Fair and a walking club at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center. The committee plans to implement yearly wellness checkups for employees.
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