Published: November 19, 2008 02:15 pm         

PV urged to shed pounds

Last December Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett kicked off a health program called “OKC Million.” The idea was to improve the health of Oklahoma City residents by challenging them to lose one million cumulative pounds.

The challenge soon expanded to include communities all over the state, and when Pauls Valley native Morgan Menefee caught the vision she decided to initiate a local version of the program.

“Oklahoma is one of the most unhealthy states in the U.S. As a health promotion major, I was very excited to learn of Mayor Cornett’s program challenging Oklahoman’s to loose one million pounds,” Menefee explained.

“I had read so many e-mails from people sharing their success stories and thanking OKC Million for this program that I wanted to bring the program to my home town,” she said.

“The program is free and anyone can join. You just go to the web site and it walks you through the necessary steps. You have the option of signing up as an individual or as a group.”

Menefee began her local campaign by partnering with the members of local fitness center, “Curves,” and she is now encouraging other Pauls Valley residents to get on the bandwagon.

To become involved in the weight-loss program participants simply need to log on to the web site at “thiscityisgoingonadiet.com” and when it asks for the group number enter the word “paulsvalley.”

At the site, participants can calculate their body mass index (BMI), which is a simple method for estimating body fat and determining a goal weight.

The site then offers numerous weight-loss options and helps monitor pounds lost.

“You can take advantage of the resources on the web site to help you reach your goal and privately keep track of your personal weight loss,” Menefee said.

“The counter on the front page will illustrate your community’s progress toward the One Million Pound goal. Your group’s overall success will be visible but your personal information is confidential and will only be seen by you.”

Menefee explained that the program is retroactive meaning any weight loss experienced from last December to the present can also be entered in as total weight loss.

     

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