Program’s classes have shed 900 pounds
As one of the first people who has participated in the United Way of St. Charles’ Get Fit United program, Mary Popp is convinced it saved her life.
“I have diabetes and had been diagnosed with cancer,” Popp said. “I also deal with high cholesterol and high blood pressure.”
By August, she’d just finished chemotherapy when she mustered up the courage to start UW’s 12-week health and fitness program a month later. Popp had her doubts about whether she could handle it, but gradually she realized this was the best move and, most amazing to her, all her numbers started coming down.
Popp, a teacher with St. Charles Parish’s adult education, shed nearly 15 pounds. Her stamina returned and her glucose level fell to the lowest she’d seen in five years and to where her doctor eliminated one of her three diabetic medications. Her most amazing news came in December when her oncologist was so impressed with her improved health that she asked for information about the program so she could recommend it to her other patients.
“If I hadn’t joined the program and made the change, I don’t really know where I’d be … my health was so bad,” Popp said. “I’m very strong and healthy now. I owe it all to the program.”
The program, done in partnership with Ochsner Corporate Wellness and Anytime Fitness, offers comprehensive health screenings, weekly nutrition classes, small group personal training, unlimited gym membership and personalized virtual training.
Popp’s group, the first with 38 members, collectively lost 329.8 pounds and improved in every health category from cholesterol to waistline, according to UW spokeswoman
Melissa Frederick. The group, which has continued to meet monthly at the UW St. Charles office in Luling, lost another 132 pounds through the maintenance portion of the program.
Of the three classes that have been held so far, more than 900 pounds collectively has been lost.
Anyone 18 years or older who lives in the parish and is strongly committed to changing their health can apply for the program.
UW Executive Director John Dias said the program was designed to help participants lose weight, but also to teach them permanent health changes, as well as their family.
“By offering the initial 12-week intensive program and continuing to support them for an additional year, we are creating long-term accountability, not just a quick fix,” Dias said.
Popp and fellow program member Tracy Naquin strongly welcomed the encouragement and support.
“I think it’s really that sense of not being alone on the journey,” Naquin said. “I love the amount of support we’ve been receiving.”
Both Popp and Naquin praised the Ochsner nurses and nutritionist who assisted during the program through maintenance.
Naquin’s numbers have been equally good.
She lost 25 pounds initially, although not the “biggest loser” in the group, but she’s no less proud of going down three pants sizes, as well as kept her weight down. She has become a certified Zumba instructor, and the program’s influence has extended to her family inspiring her husband to regularly to the gym and their two children to ask if what they’re eating is healthy.
“We’re a more active, conscious family in general,” said Naquin, also a teacher with R. K. Smith Middle School.
Heart issues run in Naquin’s family and she’s committed to healthier living in hopes of avoiding health problems that have affected her brother and father.
“I didn’t want that to be my future for my kids, one 5 and the other 7,” she said. “It was important to me to find something sustainable – not just the quick thing – with a support system with here’s what you need to do and be with you on every step of the process.”
They still meet once a month and go to Anytime Fitness gym in Luling and Destrehan, as well as support each other through a Facebook group. Prior, they worked out at Bridge Park.
“We’re honest with one another,” Naquin said. “Some of us have fallen into old habits, but we’ve kind of all stayed in touch to remind each other to be supportive to be successful.”
For Popp, celebrating success is vital to continuing with the maintenance phase of the program.
“We celebrate our successes,’ she said. “If you don’t have a success, they just encourage you to keep going and trying. It’s just a wonderful program and I can’t thank United Way enough.”
For more information, call (985) 331-9063 or to apply visit uwaysc.org.
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