Employees at the Houston County Health Department are using friendly competition to live healthier.

On Nov. 1, 2012, 20 employees at the Houston County Health Department decided to take part in a weight loss competition geared towards creating a healthier lifestyle. The idea was to have employees compete to shed pounds, based on the competition in the television show, "The Biggest Loser."

 

Matt Hively, environmental health specialist at the department, decided to start the competition when he realized that he needed to make some personal changes in his own life to improve his health and weight. He thought the best way to help himself would be to get help from work colleagues and friends, everyone holding each other accountable to meet their weight loss goals.

At the start of the competition, each participant paid $10. Participants weigh in every Thursday and calculate the percentage of their body weight that they lost. Anyone who gains weight during the week must pay $1 at the time of the weigh-in. When the competition is over, the three participants who lost the most weight will split the money paid at start of the competition and at the time of weigh-in.

During the week of Jan. 20, the halfway point of the competition, participants lost a total of 93 pounds. The competition will last until May 2, hopefully allowing enough time for individuals to make their healthier lifestyles part of their routines.

 

"Our goal is to promote healthier lifestyle changes and help people make better decisions. By helping to bring the competition together in the workplace it not only helps people lose weight, but makes individuals happier as they start to lose weight," Hively said.    

The program also has put healthy living on department employees' minds. Since the competition began, employees have been able to trade ideas for losing weight or eating healthier. Every few weeks, Hively also sends participants helpful tips on exercising or healthy food options. Another employee teaches a hip-hop class at a local gym and encourages her fellow employees to join the class or just come to the gym to work out.

To learn more about "The Biggest Loser" competition at the Houston County Health Department, call (478) 218-2020.