Karen’s loss gives her a big win

Results are in from the Southern Cross University ‘Measure Up’ challenge run over the past 10 weeks. A group of 50 participants, made up mainly of Southern Cross University staff, have lost a total of over one metre from their waist measurements.

The winner of the challenge was Karen Symonds, a student liaison officer with the School of Health and Human Sciences, who lost 9.5cms off her waist.

Karen said that aside from yoga, she had never stepped inside a gym before. “I had no idea how you were supposed to use any of those machines,” she said.

“The program was excellent with always a new challenge around the corner. I kept a record of everything I ate and every session at the gym. The 10-week program kept me focussed on the goal at hand.

“I visited two nutritionists and had two personal training sessions and took every bit of advice the gym staff had to offer. All of the gym staff were friendly, approachable and knowledgeable and had an obvious enthusiasm for what they do.”

Karen said she was inspired to join the challenge because she learned that her waist measurement put her in the high risk category for type 2 diabetes. “I was shocked to discover that and decided I had to do something about it,” she said.

“I am surprised at how easy it was – I only went to the gym on average three times a week for about an hour each time. I haven’t lost a lot of weight but my shape has changed markedly and I am fitting into all of my old favourite clothes again. I am also fitter and feeling so much better for it.”

The manager of the SCU GYM Richard Campbell emphasised that all the participants were winners as they had all taken a positive step to reduce their waistlines and make changes to their exercise and diet patterns.

During the challenge participants had access to personal training and dietary sessions along with regular gym visits.

“Next year we can also incorporate swimming activities with the new pool due to open in February 2010,” he said.

Karen won a two-night stay on Fraser Island, sponsored by Travelworld in Lismore. The SCU GYM plans to run another challenge early in 2010.

The ‘Measure Up’ campaign is part of the Australian Better Health Initiative (ABHI), a national program, supported by the Australian and state and territory governments, which aims to reduce the risk factors for chronic disease such as some cancers, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Photo: Karen Symonds, winner of the ‘Measure Up’ challenge, at the SCU GYM.