Scale Back participants get first look at weight

Teams from across the Shoals have taken the first step toward weight loss and a lifestyle change by participating in Scale Back Alabama, a 10-week program sponsored by the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Alabama Hospital Association.

The TimesDaily is following four teams, one team each from Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital in Florence, Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield, the University of North Alabama and the YMCA of the Shoals, as they go through the process, checking in with them at their initial weigh-in, at the mid-way point and again at the end. The teams consist of men and women who vary in age from early 20s to late 50s.

The Student Recreation Center on the UNA campus is the site of weigh ins for the Diet Tribe, and Glenda Richey, coordinator of fitness, recreational sports and fitness said faculty, staff and students have formed Scale Back teams, but students face their own unique challenges.

"Money is a problem because they often can't afford to eat healthy," she said. "Planning is also a big problem. They have to schedule time to come to the gym and get in their physical activity."

Holly Widick hopes living in the same residence hall with her Scale Back team members keeps them all on track.

"We all live closer to the gym than we are to our cars, so it's silly for us not to get over here and work out or take a cycling class," she said.

Widick, along with Caleb Kendrick, Scotty Rainwater and Sarah Sneed are hoping to lose more than the required 10 pounds per person to be successful at the weight-loss program. To do that, however, will mean passing up the pizza, the tiramisu and "Everything but ..." flavor of Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

For Rainwater, he's hoping to get his diabetes in check and get the best of genetics that have encoded heart problems.

"I want to get healthy; we all do," he said. "As students, we have to deal with our hectic schedules and learn how to make smarter decisions about what and when we eat."

Members of the Scale Back team from ECM say job stress is a big contributor to their weight gain.

"We're busy all day, so we're likely to stop for the convenience foods because they're easy," said Kim Hammond. "It's rare that we have time to sit down for a meal, much less cook one."

More than 40 teams are weighing in at ECM, and many of them, such as the Fat Katz, are hoping that Scale Back becomes an opportunity to incorporate a lifestyle change.

To that end, Hammond said she and her teammates plan to keep each other accountable for their exercise and diet, even setting aside time on certain days to walk. She also said they plan to have T-shirts printed with their team name to help each other stay encouraged.

But the challenges to weight loss persist. For Hammond and teammates Kelly Rhodes and Kelly Niedergeses, who are moms, a slower metabolism and busy schedules are among the issues they face.

For Aaron Jones, he said his problem will be portion control.

"I'm a big eater," he said. "I'm just thankful football season is over, so I won't be confronted with chicken fingers and wings at parties all the time."

The Wellcare Center on the Keller Hospital campus is the site of weigh ins for Scale Back for the dozens of teams participating in Scale Back in Colbert County.

Melissa Pendergrast works in respiratory therapy, and, as part of her 12-hour shift, she estimates she walks a minimum of 10,000 steps and climb countless flights of stairs, which go a long way toward her 10-pound goal.

"I'm not looking forward to giving up my Mountain Dews, but I have one as a reward every now and then," she said. "I feel so much better when I've lost the extra weight, and I want that to be an encouragement to others."

Keller has participated in the Scale Back program since 2007, the first year for the statewide initiative.

Some on the Reducing RT's, including Stephanie Joly, have been a part of the program each year.

In that time, she's come away with some weight-loss tips that have been helpful to her.

"I drink between 100 ounces and 150 ounces of water each day," Joly said. "I'm at work for three meals of the day, so I've had to learn how to eat healthier and not be tempted by the convenience foods because we are so busy."

In addition to Pendergrast and Joly, Ronda Hood and Daphne Garrett are also on the team.

Vicki Butler, Nancy Harris, Ruby Tiggs and Janice Turner are pumped about weight loss, but they're not so pumped about their collective weight of 865 pounds.

Each has a reason for what contributed to their weight gain throughout the years, but each say they want to shed the extra pounds for a healthier, happier, younger looking version of themselves. It's their hope that participating in Scale Back will make the lifestyle changes stick.

"I want to get back down to the weight I was when I moved here more than 30 years ago," Tiggs said. "I want to look good, I'll be honest. But my son and my husband have been after me about this, so I'm excited to get started."

Team members said they plan on working out together to keep each other accountable for their weight loss.

Turner said she and Harris make a particularly good pair.

"If I could exercise like her and she could exercise like me, we'd be doing great," she said.

Each member also said the 10-week period will present certain challenges. For Harris, that will be about making healthier food choices.

"I have six sisters, and they are all good cooks, so when they call and tell me they've got sweet potatoes, greens and corn bread, I take my kids and go," she said. "It's just easier because I don't cook."

Butler, likewise, has her share of food vices, especially portion control.

"But what I've found is that, if I have my meal on a saucer instead of a dinner plate, I eat a lot less," she said.

Michelle Rupe Eubanks can be reached at 740-5745 or michelle.eubanks@TimesDaily.com.