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Workers Lose Over 1,000 Pounds

Source: Jennifer Woodward, zwire.com

Paper clips have become a prized commodity at Curwood, Inc. When you walk in the door at the Curwood plant, one might wonder why there is a jar of brightly colored paper clips in their window display unit. Upon closer inspection, you would see that these signify a pound for each individual pound lost by the 25 members of the Curwood Weight Watchers group.

In January, more than 25 employees vowed to lose weight, and they did not have to go far to get started. Curwood offers a Weight Watchers meeting at work and even pays for a part of the meeting fees.

The company understands the health risks and costs associated with being overweight and wanted to provide its staff with the tools to overcome that risk. Wellness programs and disease management are key to having a healthy workforce.

Curwood wants its employees to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, not only for themselves, but also for their families. Bringing the Weight Watchers At-Work Program on site has provided convenience and a fantastic group support system. The daily support of co-workers who are Weight Watchers members has been crucial to their success.

The plants first meeting was on Jan. 20 and as of Oct. 20, nine short months later, the total weight loss for the members is 1,204 pounds.

The group currently has 25 members plus four life-time members. Of the 25 members, 23 are employees and two are spouses , 23 are females and two are males. The members are shooting for a new group goal of one ton.

Some of the members have reported using less medication and even eliminating the medication completely. Several of them have talked about having more energy to participate in family activities and doing more things with their kids and grandkids. A greater sense of self confidence from all is reported.

Marcie Hart, the Weight Watchers leader, gives each member one paper clip for each pound they lose. The members then string the clips together off a magnet on their refrigerators at home. These paper clips are very important to the members. In addition to the individual paper clips, one is added to the jar in the display case for each pound lost by the group.

Inventory Control Clerk, Teresa Rossbach, an employee of 10 years at Curwood has had the most significant weight loss story. Rossbach, who says that before her weight loss she was at the end of her rope, and didn't feel good about herself or anything around her. 118 pounds later, 10 jean sizes smaller and a winning smile, you can see in the way she carries herself that she is a happy, confident and strong woman.

Rossbach tells that after getting the courage to talk to the doctor about weight loss, she thought the physician would prescribe pills or tell her she would have to do it on her own. She was surprised when she was told to go to a Weight Watchers meeting. There was one that night. With much support from her husband, who attended that first meeting, and held her hand through it all she found the answer she had been looking for.

Since then, she started walking three to five miles a day, three to five times a week and followed her diet guidelines.Rossbach had such great success that there was some worry she was losing too much too quickly at three pounds a week- she was told to see her doctor. After being told she was fine, she continued on.

"It is much easier to do when you want to do it for yourself and this program makes me feel in control," Rossbach said of her motivation for joining when she did. "I wonder sometimes why I didn't do this sooner, but you have to want to do it for yourself."

Before her weight loss, Rossbach noted it felt like she was holding her family back. Having two sons at ages 8 and 11 keeping up was a problem. Now the kids have to keep up with her.
Her biggest fans have been her family. "It doesn't matter who we meet, my sons make sure they tell them their mom has lost over 100 pounds. My boys tell me how they can wrap their arms around me with no problem," she said. Rossbach tells that her husband has always been a rock. He has told her "You know you look sexy with confidence. I always knew you were beautiful, but when you like yourself, it is downright sexy." Rossbach says there isn't a better pick-me-up than that.

When asked if the holiday posed a problem for her, she says that it is just a matter of control. Family members have been equally supportive of her. At family gatherings they make sure there is something for her to eat. Rossbach admits that she misses fried foods and that her kids are starting to get sick of chicken.

Often she prepares two meals, one for the family and then one for herself. While losing the weight, she notes that replacing her clothing was expensive at first, but she had fun shopping.
Rossbach adds that co-workers have been a great support. When she started to cut back on the walking, she was asked why she wasn't walking as much as she used to. She is still walking two to four miles per day, and attends Curves three times a week. Rossbach adds that maintaining her goal weight and sticking to it is tough too, but well worth it.

Mona Berry, a spouse of a Curwood employee who decided to lose weight, has lost 46.6 pounds, and Jacky Bresnahan has lost 27 pounds and is still working towards her goal weight. Sharla Fleshman has lost 68 pounds.

Fleshman is responsible for the at-work program. After a promotion at Curwood, she was given the responsibility for wellness at the Centerville Plant. Fleshman said, "I believe in leading from the front and knew I could not successfully lead the wellness program if I did not take charge of my own health." Fleshman organized the program and also, joined herself. "I feel like a whole new person with a lot more energy and confidence." said Fleshman, who this summer went parasailing with her 14 year old son. "It was one of the most awesome experiences of my life and I never would have done it if I hadn't lost the weight."

All agree that their leader Marcie Hart has been a great inspiration. Hart makes you want to come to meetings, Rossbach says of their leader. Mona Berry noted that Hart has been great for motivation. Bresnahan adds that Hart is to be congratulated for her leadership and inspiration.

Its not just a diet, its a lifestyle change. Learning how to eat right and exercise and maintaining your new weight is a lot of work. It would be easy to fall back on old patterns. Its been great for all those involved with the program to have the support of one another.

So far, the employees have lost approximately 1,204 pounds. Curwood is looking forward to following its members on their journey to obtain their goal of one ton.

November 16, 2005 in Weight Loss Motivation | Permalink