And the Golden Carrot goes to ... SAM NUNN ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER ...

Tag : carrot

> Reason nominated: Presidential 2008 Pound Challenge
> Who benefits: Participants
> Lesson that can be learned: Fitness crosses political lines
On Election Day, one candidate will win the White House. The sameday, a team of Atlantans will discover what they have lost.
Nov. 4 will mark the end of the Presidential 2008 Pound Challenge,a fitness/weight loss competition conducted by the fitness centerat the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center. Beginning in April,government employees —- representing the major politicalparties plus Independents, Green Party, American Reform, FreedomParty and write-in candidates —- competed in a variety ofactivities from crossword puzzles to exercise classes and boatraces. Some even competed in triathlons, with the fitness centerawarding points based on cumulative team weight and inches lost.
Participants are aiming to lose total of 2,008 pounds.
“They are really enjoying it and loving the results,”center fitness specialist Gail McFarland said of the 147participants, who are divided into 18 teams of five. “Itgives them an excuse to do the right thing for the rightreason.”
The group’s level of commitment has surprised the staff andencouraged them to create innovative approaches and new incentives,she said.
“The biggest treat has been marked and measurableimprovements,” McFarland said. “It reinforces that thisis going to be a lifestyle change as opposed to an eventchange.”
The challenge has also exposed participants to new forms ofexercise.
An avid runner for 20 years, including more than 17 Peachtree RoadRaces, Nancy Martin traded in her running shoes for some barefootfun.
“I always thought that if you weren’t running youweren’t doing anything,” said Martin, a budget analystwith the Environmental Protection Agency who has taken on bellydancing, yoga and other mind-body classes. She has lost sevenpounds toward her goal of losing 10. “Now I know you need abalance of strength and flexibility.”
Richard Walker, who has lost six pounds towards his goal of losing20, also stepped outside of his fitness rut.
“You tend to do what’s comfortable,” said thecriminal investigator with the Department of Labor, who walked onthe treadmill but refused to take exercise classes. The teamcaptain’s desire to win points for his team catapulted Walkeroff the treadmill and into a boot camp. Then he gave spinning aspin.
“It really revs up your cardio to a point where you want tobarf,” said Walker, 43, a father of five who takes the classtwice a week and plans to continue after the contest. ” Nopain, no gain.”
WHO DESERVES A CARROT?
Fortune 500 companies are not the only ones bringing peopletogether to promote health and fitness. Neighborhood groups,offices, schools and churches also are finding ways to get peoplemoving and to encourage a healthier lifestyle. In this regularfeature, our Better Health pages recognize those organized efforts,large and small, that might inspire other groups to initiate theirown programs. And we want to hear about them. Submit your GoldenCarrot nominations to betterhealth@ajc.com.