Energy Fitness: Weighing Their Assets for Charity!

Energy Fitness employees are shrinking - for charity! For every pound they lose, Wagner Moving & Storage donates a pound of groceries to Paducah Cooperative Ministry! Relay for Life benefits, too!

Dubbed "We’re Weighing Our Assets," the weight- and body-fat loss initiative kicked off on March 22, with 28 Energy Fitness staff members stepping up to the scale. So far, they’ve lost a combined total of 166 pounds. They’ll keep shrinking until June 12.

"It began as a team-building effort," says Energy Fitness Marketing Director Kelli Ellermann. "A little ‘friendly’ competition can do wonders for achieving results and building a stronger team, so we decided it was just what we needed to motivate not only ourselves, but all Energy Fitness members."

The goal, Kelli says, is to make a difference one pound at a time in the community. "That is what Energy Fitness is all about — motivation and creating change in people’s lives, no matter what their need," she says.     

Energy Fitness employees Kelli, Tara, Brooks, Debbie, Sharon, Amy, Brigette - looking good! Who will win the ultimate $1,000 prize?

To compete, each participating employee paid an entry fee — a portion of which goes to the Energy Elite Relay for Life team (all dedicated college students), with the remainder added to a grand-prize pool, which will ultimately total $1,000. The employee who loses the most in percentage of weight and percentage of body fat takes home the grand prize.

Trainer-in-Charge Terri Lundberg weighs employees each week. Anyone gaining weight pays $1 per pound to the Energy Elite Relay team. To add more walking to their days, Terri requires employees to park in lots far from the two Energy Fitness clubs. Those caught parking too close also pay $1 to the relay team. Terri’s motivational emails and trainer tips help keep employees on track.

The June 12 final weigh-in determines the grand total of groceries that Wagner Moving & Storage will donate and deliver to Paducah Cooperative Ministries. That number reached 56 pounds in the first week alone.

                                                                   

Personal Trainer Jeffery Vinson is 30 pounds lighter now, thanks to the challenge. Here he demonstrates the Vertimax equipment.

Personal Trainer Jeffery Vinson is leading the pack with a 30-pound weight loss and a 9 percent loss in body fat.
       
"With a baby on the way, the cash prize is a big motivator," he says. "My advice to those trying to lose weight — you must combine good nutrition with exercise and have the willpower to back it up."
       
Energy Fitness Managers Sharon Hagan and Brooks Barton appreciate the team-building aspect of the contest. "Every company should consider doing a healthy challenge like this," Sharon says. "It’s fun, it’s healthy and everyone’s spirit has been lifted. Greater productivity and morale have been apparent from day one."

Energy Fitness Midtown Instructor Karen Smith has lost five pounds so far. "It’s a struggle to fit the extra workouts in, but definitely worth it," she says. "As an instructor, I have to be a role model. The cash prize doesn’t matter as much as knowing that I can make a difference to someone. And it helps that we’re doing this for two great causes — PCM and Relay for Life."

To date, More than $370 has been raised for Relay for Life through team entry fees, employee parking penalties and member generosity. Donations are accepted at both clubs.

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