Ripon College Days

Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Photo submitted Been there done that. Kristin Steede knows a few things about losing weight as she was the first woman to lose 100 pounds on the show.

Everyone knows that the key to having a long and healthy life is through an active and healthy lifestyle. However, making those lifestyle changes can be a challenge.

It's because of this challenge that Ryan Dwyer, Residence Hall Director and Program Coordinator for Intramurals and the Fitness Center, decided to start the "Biggest Loser" program to help Ripon students make those lifestyle changes.

The program draws inspiration from NBC's hit television show "The Biggest Loser," in which contestants compete to lose weight and change their lives for the better.

According to Dwyer, the program will be a bit different in some regards, because "participants will not be competing against each other, but instead working towards individual goals, not necessarily in weight loss, but also working towards a healthier lifestyle."

The "Biggest Loser" program will begin Feb. 1, starting with all participants performing a confidential weigh-in. From there they will determine their weight loss goals and then work to achieve them within a six week time frame.

In order to help participants reach their goals there will be a variety of support offered.

"There will be weekly wellness challenges that include some type of physical activity, participants will keep food logs, the fitness center will have extended hours and we will be featuring motivational speakers as well," says Dwyer. "It's all about motivation."

The first speaker will be Kristin Steede, contestant from NBC's "Biggest Loser." Steede was the first woman to lose 100 pounds on the program and she will be visiting Ripon tonight at 7 p.m. in Great Hall to talk about her experience with weight loss and how it has changed her life.

Fitting with Dwyer's hopes to not have individuals compete with each other, Steede believes that comparing yourself with others is one of the most detrimental things that you could do.

The second scheduled speaker will be Tom Shlitz, '79 Ripon alum. He will be visiting Feb. 2 and will be explaining the different types of eating disorders, how to recognize them and what you can do if you or someone you know has an eating disorder.

Other events include a dining hall exhibition by Sodexo called the "Pick of the Week," featuring healthy food and alternative meals that are essential to well being.

"The hope is that by the end of the six weeks, everyone has found the motivation to lose weight and become part of a healthy lifestyle," says Dwyer. "At the end of the program, we will have a weigh-in, and results will be posted as a total percentage of weight loss, so no one is singled out."

First year Fabrizzio Subia has already made the decision to join the program not necessarily to lose weight, but to "get back into the healthy habits I was in before college," says Subia. "It should be a fun and rewarding experience."

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