If weight loss (or just not gaining weight!) during the holidays is your goal, join the DPH Holiday Survivor Competition! Teams of four will compete to lose weight between Nov. 5 and Jan. 11. The competition is open to state DPH employees at 2 Peachtree, Skyland Drive, Clairmont Lab and 40 Pryor.

Initial weigh-ins will be Nov. 1 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at 2 Peachtree and Nov. 2 from 2:30-4 p.m. at Clairmont Lab. Biweekly weigh-ins will be held at each location. Prizes for the highest percent weight loss for the top three individuals and teams will be awarded. Team registration forms are available at http://www.dph.gov.ga/wellness/wellnessevents.asp under Worksite Wellness Happenings.

The program is self-directed and teams are responsible for supporting and encouraging each other by forming walking or exercise groups and participating in healthier eating habits.    

"Some of the easiest and most effective changes people can make are as simple as eating breakfast every morning, cutting out the white hazards (white sugar, flour, rice and potatoes), increasing your vegetable and fruit intake everyday to six or more servings and bringing lunch to work instead of eating out," said Susanne Koch, DPH's worksite wellness coordinator.

Some people struggle with preventing weight gain during the holidays. This program also challenges participants to at least maintain your weight by paying extra attention to the amount of food you eat and getting in exercise to help release the stress of the holidays while encouraging physical activity.  

"I understand it is a time for feasting -- I am all for it! But try to feast on the actual holiday and not the entire holiday season," Koch said.

Educational lunch 'n' learns and ongoing group exercises classes are scheduled to help participants. The first lunch 'n' learn, Weight Loss 101, will help kickoff the competition and will be Nov. 2 at 1:30 p m at Clairmont Lab prior to weigh-ins. In addition, the documentary "Weight of the Nation" will be shown at both 2 Peachtree and Clairmont Lab during November and December. Participants can bring a healthy lunch and sit and view the one-hour segment. There will also be a Turkey Trot Walk/Run in November.

Winners will be announced Jan. 23 at the DPH Slimdown Competition kickoff during Healthy Weight Week. The DPH Slimdown Competition will be 20 weeks and encourages all of DPH to lose a total of 10,000 pounds. Stay tuned for more details!

-Story by DPH Communications