Darlene Hughes is a loser.
In many situations, that comment would be considered an insult, but in her case, it’s a badge of honor.
Hughes, psychometrist for the South Pike School District, lost 65 pounds over the past two years while participating in a Weight Watchers program sponsored by the school district. Participants in the program have collectively lost 100 pounds, Hughes said.
The program is part of a staff wellness initiative begun by the school district to help its employees live healthier lives. Part of the employees’ membership in Weight Watchers is paid by a state wellness grant for the school. The school system also has a walking program for employees.
“We did a survey of the employees in the school system to determine their interests, and the weight loss was number one,” said Dr. Lynda Taylor, South Pike’s chief academic officer.
Taylor said the district has received a three-year, $18,000 wellness grant from the Mississippi Department of Education.
“We attended a workshop (on the grant) to get ideas,” she said. “We’ll use the grant to purchase a Wii Fit and TV, dumbbells and ab rollers and exercise mats.”
School officials also plan to have a DVD library on diseases and health issues and sponsor speakers to hold programs on fitness and nutrition for the staff.
Addie Boone, the school district’s technical instruction strategist, began the Weight Watchers program last year and has lost 24 pounds. She and Hughes are life members of Weight Watchers.
“I knew I was overweight and had to lose it,” Boone said. “I knew if I paid money and had support, I could do it.”
Boone said her participation in the program has changed her lifestyle and that of her husband and 11-year-old son.
“We’ve become more conscious about what we eat,” she said. “My son loves to play baseball, and a lot of my weight was put on sitting in the stands watching him play.”
Now, Boone said, she is much more aware about what she eats, even when she eats out.
“And my son is much more conscious of what he eats,” she said.
The Weight Watchers group’s weekly meetings begin with a weigh-in to check their progress toward their goal, and a discussion with their team leader. The attendance varies from week to week, depending on other school-related programs.
Janice Walker of Weight Watchers of McComb, the team leader at South Pike and a retired teacher, said team leaders for Weight Watchers must be members who have completed the program.
The weekly programs examine different issues about eating and nutrition and other related issues.
Boone and Hughes said the support program available through Weight Watchers is a key in helping people lose weight and keep it off.
Each member has a target weight and a weekly goal to reach on their way to obtaining the target. The weekly goals, Boone said, are obtainable.
“They’re realistic goals,” she said.
Hughes said there is a lot of encouragement between members, who e-mail each other during the day.
And she said her success has been an example to the rest of the members.
“I’ve kind of been an inspiration to others,” she said. “They know if I can do it anybody can. I’ve had a weight problem all my life.”
Boone said the program is conducive to staying with the program.
“This is a great atmosphere,” Boone said of the weekly Weight Watchers meetings. “We get everyone motivated not go overboard (when they eat) and to be aware of what we eat. You are what you eat, and what you eat is not necessarily always good for you.”
