(ALS m VOLUME XII, NUMBER 11 9 INNOVATION ABSTRACTS PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE TSCA LSC OL OL WITH SUPPORT FROM THE W. K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION AND THE SID W. RICHARDSON FOUNDATION Dumping the Plump The 1989 “Dump Your Plump” contest, sponsored by Lake Michigan College, featured teachers and students exercising to low-impact aerobic videotapes, teachers doing daily 30-minute walks with their students, teams walking the school hallways, teams doing aqua exer- cises or aerobic dance, teachers bringing healthy food treats to the teachers’ lounge, teams posting their exercise and weight loss progress, teams sending donuts or chocolates to other teams before their weekly weigh-ins, and team members sending their secret pals notes of support or bouquets of flowers. “Dump Your Plump,” developed by the physical education department in 1986, is both a weight loss program and a wellness contest. Participants have their blood chemistry analyzed, take a Health Risk Appraisal, have their body fat tested, have their diet analyzed by computer, attend a nutrition and cooking demonstra- tion, attend a lecture on exercise, and participate in a walking clinic. In the 1989 contest (January 13-March 23), partici- pants included 455 teachers, administrators, secretaries, and bus drivers, on 54 teams from 17 school districts. Of the 455 participants, 453 completed, and 263 (58%) exercised at least 45 out of the 50 days. All participants weighed in ona weekly basis and attempted to incorpo- rate exercise into their lifestyles. Participants receive an 80-page manual that provides information on the contest rules, weight goal guide- lines, nutrition information, and exercise guidelines. It helps participants chart their weight loss and aerobic activity, learn how to set realistic weight goals, eat nutritiously, and set up an exercise program. A weckly newsletter is sent to each participant; seven to eight pages in length, it provides information on nu- trition and exercise (information from newspapers and health letters) and displays the current team standings. Captains conduct their weigh-ins on Fridays and then prepare the newsletter for distribution. This contest differs from most workplace weight loss contests: (1) because the contest is based upon promot- ing safe and gradual weight loss of one to two pounds per week, the individual can select a 0-20 pound goal (for 10 weeks) but cannot receive credit for losing more than the weight goal; (2) because exercise is an essential component of weight loss, each individual must exer- cise aerobically for 30 minutes, five times per week—a critical component of the weight loss plan. In the 1989 contest, the nine members of the Health Hounds and the seven members of the Fat Wienies combined to lose 313.5 pounds, each achieving a perfect score of 6500 points (3,000 for exercise, 3,000 for weight loss, and 500 for submission of weekly weigh-ins); it was the second year they tied for the championship. They were closely followed by the Central Slenderettes, Waist Management I and Waist Management II, Slender Gender B, Gutless Gages, and the Skinny Dippers. The captain of the Fat Wienies attributed his team’s success to the “team support and peer pressure” that developed during the contest. The team held frequent mectings and met on Fridays to remind each other to “be good over the weekend.” The Fat Wienies are coaches or former coaches, and are, admittedly, goal-oriented. In addition to the satisfaction of losing weight and getting in shape, the members of the two winning teams in the 1989 contest received a two-month membership at a local health club. Certificates of Accomplishment and t-shirts were also awarded to all who achieved their weight and exercise goals. Asked what they liked best about the program, contestants made some of the following comments: “(the program) brought together co-workers, helping one another with their goals.” “This was the first time that our staff really pulled together and worked hard to encourage each other daily.” “The support and encour- agement that the team members provided for each other, along with the exercise, provided us time to get to know each other.” “I liked the idea that ‘we’ as a school worked together.” “A group contest provides the discipline and the desire to exercise and lose pounds.” As a result of the “Dump Your Plump” program, Lake Michigan College is earning a reputation for leadership in the promotion of wellness. Don Alsbro, Instructor, Health and Physical Education For further information, contact the author at Lake Michigan College, 2755 E. Napier, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. ss. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (NISOD) 9 say.) Community College Leadership Program, The University of Texas at Austin EDB 348, Austin, Texas 78712