For Immediate Release
July 24, 2007
Contact: Donna Sellmann
(732) 530-2282
dsellmann@meridianhealth.com

LUNCH BREAK BENEFITS FROM RIVERVIEW WEIGHT LOSS TEAM

Riverview Medical Center employees give when they lose.

Red Bank, NJ - When organizers of Meridian Health's "Fit to Win" Challenge launched the 2007 initiative, they had no idea that the weight loss contest would result in such an impact on the community. One team in particular, the "Flab Five" from Riverview Medical Center, found a way to make their weight loss success someone else's gain.

Sandra Seeman, one of the Flab Five team members, explains, "For every pound of weight that we lose, we will donate one pound of food to a local food bank, Lunch Break, located in Red Bank. This is a perfect way for us to stay focused on our own personal needs and help others in need at the same time."

When the members of the Flab Five gathered for their 12 week weigh in on July 17, they had lost a total of 130 pounds. This half-way point in the contest also showed a loss of 88 inches and 13% of their body weight.

True to their word, the team gathered at Lunch Break a few days later and dropped off over 130 pounds of food for the pantry. Founded as Monmouth County's first "soup kitchen", Lunch Break provides meals for members of the community who are unable to provide for themselves and their families.

Fit to Win is a 24-week program which focuses on a team approach toward better health. Sponsored by Meridian Health, there are four teams of staff members at each hospital in the system (Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, and Ocean Medical Center in Brick) and four teams from Meridian Health's corporate and partner companies.

During the first 12 weeks of the challenge, competing teams received weekly group training sessions with a certified personal trainer, attended weekly weight management meetings and weigh-in sessions, a series of private training sessions, and a heart rate monitor, provided by Meridian Health. During the remaining 12 weeks of the program, teams will use the information learned in the first half of the challenge so that they maintain their achieved weight-loss and continue progressing towards their ultimate goal. Final weigh-ins and measurements will be taken the week of October 1, 2007.

Wendy Edelson, RN, MA, director of Human Resources, which coordinates the Fit to Win program, of Meridian Health, explains "Fit to Win encourages a healthy life style in and outside of the work place. The benefits go beyond the six month competition because it teaches the teams how to properly manage their lost weight and stay fit long term. Fit to Win is a success for many reasons; but especially because of the support systems created within each team. It is always easier to achieve a goal when you have people at your side rooting you on or striving for the same thing."

Members of the Flab Five team plan to make another donation to Lunch Break in the fall, after they have their final weigh-in. They are actually so committed to donating pound-for-pound that they are encouraging other teams in the challenge to join them in their effort

"As a team, we will be depending on each other for support and encouragement over the course of this challenge, but we will also be asking for the support of our fellow team members by making donations to our 'pound for pound' food drive as well," says Flab Five team captain, Lisa LeFurge. "We are extremely excited to be part of this challenge not only to see a positive change in ourselves, but to hopefully inspire others in a positive way too!"

Riverview Medical Center, a member of the Meridian Health Family, is a non-profit community hospital located in Red Bank, New Jersey, providing health care programs and services in all major medical disciplines, including maternity; oncology; orthopedics and rehabilitation; general, neuro, thoracic and vascular surgery; cardiology; renal dialysis; diabetes management; and emergency and critical care services. Riverview's Booker Cancer Center is an affiliate of the renowned Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, and Riverview is home to the only fully accredited acute comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation center in Monmouth County. In addition, its Women Center and Childbirth Center specialize in the full spectrum of needs for the body, mind and spirit. For more information about Riverview Medical Center and Meridian Health, please call the Meridian Health Line at 1-800-560-9990 or visit www.riverviewmedicalcenter.com.

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