The 2023 A Healthier Weigh Challenge produced commendable results through winter storms for 31 people who completed the 12-week health, fitness and nutrition program. This marks the 17th year of the 12-week challenge. Stephanie Starkebaum, Colorado State University Extension agent, facilitated the program. Cash prizes were presented to winners in teams of four, pairs of two and individual divisions who met the program requirements in the following categories: Weight loss, Waist Circumference, Steps, Skeletal Muscle Mass, Lessons, Fitness Assessments and Overall Challenge Winners (points included weight loss, waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass, steps and lessons).

A new aspect of this year's program was the County versus County step competition, where Phillips County's participants competed against five other counties. Phillips County placed fifth overall, with 32 participants walking 11,028 miles averaging 4.10 miles per person per day over 12 weeks. First place – Yuma County, 5.14 miles/person/day; second place – Washington County, five miles/person/day; third place – Morgan County, 4.38 miles/person/day; fourth place –Logan County, 4.14 miles/person/day; fifth place – Phillips County, 4.10 miles/person/day; and sixth place – Kit Carson County, 3.75 miles/person/day.

Fitness assessments were a new and optional part of this year's program. Fitness Assessments are a great way to assess areas such as cardiovascular health, muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility. They also help participants set realistic fitness goals. Phillips County had 24 participants complete 36 fitness assessments. All participants who completed a fitness assessment were put into a drawing to win cash. Ten participants were awarded. Phillips County collectively lost 192 pounds or 3.42 percent off their original weight; 24.25 inches or two percent off their waistlines; decreased body fat by 6.4 percent; and 11 participants increased their skeletal muscle mass or the muscle that can be manipulated through exercise.

The qualifying phase of the program is the health, fitness, and nutrition lessons. All participants had to complete five of the 24 lesson options and respond to at least one of the three application choices to be eligible for a team or individual placement and cash prizes. Twenty-four participants completed the required five or more lessons, with 196 total lessons completed in Phillips County. Our top lesson responders were Jessie Cochran, Melyssa Nelson and Robert Koberstein, who completed 35 lessons as a trio.

Most of this year's exercise efforts seemed to revolve around shoveling snow! The physical activity aspect of the contest helps motivate participants to increase their exercise efforts throughout the winter months by wearing a pedometer or wearable fitness-tracking device to report daily physical activity each week.

The top team of four in the physical activity division was Girls Gone Wild, with team members Lynda Firme, Nici Akey, Sloane Bishop and Deanna Deselms stepping 2,297 miles in 12 weeks. In the pairs of two division: first place – Mission Slimpossible, Jessie and Diana Stewart, 1,011 miles; second place – Carly and Tarah Rule, Carly Daniel and Tarah Priddy, 651 miles. In the individual division: first place – Hipafflict, Stacy Wagner, 624 miles; second place – Kob, Robert Koberstein, 593 miles; third place – Me in 2023, Candie Fix, 461 miles. Eleven participants were recognized as Super Steppers for their physical activity efforts by reaching the recommended 10,000 steps a day or 420 miles total in the 12-week challenge. Lynda Firme was our top Super Stepper with an impressive 731 miles or an average of 8.7 miles/day.

Waist circumference reduction is a critical health indicator, as excess body weight around the waist is linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. The top team in the team of four division in the waist reduction category was Girls Gone Wild – Lynda Firme, Nici Akey, Sloane Bishop and Deanna Deselms. In the pair of two division: first place – Mission Slimpossible, Jessie and Diana Stewart, 4.2 percent reduction; second place – Carly and Tarah Rule, Carly Daniel and Tarah Priddy, 2.1 percent reduction. In the individual division: first place Kob, Robert Koberstein – 11.3 percent reduction; second place, Me in 2023, Candie Fix – 4.3 percent reduction; third place, Sparks, Meredith Sparks – 2.3 percent reduction from their original waist measurements.

Since the program begins after the New Year, many participants aim to lose weight by refocusing on their nutrition and activity levels. Again, Girls Gone Wild, Lynda Firme, Nici Akey, Sloane Bishop and Deanna Deselms were our top team. In the pairs of two divisions: first place - Mission Slimpossible, Jessie and Diana Stewart, lost 3.64 percent; second place - Carly and Tarah Rule, Carly Daniel and Tarah Priddy, lost .47 percent. In the Individual division: first place – Kob, Robert Koberstein, lost 6.94 percent; second place – Go Girl, Linda Heater, lost 2.38 percent; third place, Me in 2023, Candie Fix, 2.27 percent off their original weight

Skeletal Muscle Mass is the muscle that can be grown and developed by exercising, unlike Lean Body Mass, which includes everything except fat mass such as organs, skin, bones, body water weight, and muscle mass. SMM is strictly a gain or loss of muscle. Eleven participants had an increase in SMM. Congrats to our winners: first place, Sloane Bishop, four percent increase; second place, Jenn Bott, three percent increase; third place, Toni Smith, two percent increase.

The overall challenge winners for teams and individual categories were based on points that included weight loss, waist circumference, skeletal muscle mass, steps and lessons. Team of four division: first place Girls Gone Wild – Lynda Firme, Nici Akey, Sloane Bishop and Deanna Deselms. Pairs of two division: first place Mission Slimpossible, Jessie and Diana Stewart; second place Carly and Tarah Rule – Carly Daniel and Tarah Priddy. In the individual division: first place went to Kob, Robert Koberstein; second place, Me in 2023, Candie Fix; thrid place tied between Go Girl, Linda Heater and Guns and Buns, Jenn Bott.

CSU Extension plans to repeat the A Healthier Weigh program from January through April 2024, as it serves an essential role in keeping people active, eating healthy, and focused on their health during winter. CSU Extension will discount any business wanting to pay for their employees to participate in next year's A Healthier Weigh program.

The A Healthier Weigh Program allows participants to use an InBody Machine. This sophisticated device uses bioelectrical impedance analysis to send a small alternating current through the body to measure the participant's body composition accurately. It breaks down what the number on the scale truly represents and if what you're losing is fat, water or muscle. The Basil Metabolic Rate and the Segmental Lean Body Analysis are two areas of interest for those participating in the program. BMR is the number of calories your body burns at rest and does not account for the calories you need to walk, talk, exercise, etc. Segmental Lean Body Analysis reveals muscle imbalances between your right and left arms, legs and/or trunk areas. The machine also gives each participant a printout and charts progress over time, progress that may not show up on a traditional scale by looking at the number alone.

The InBody Machine will return to Phillips County for the Haxtun Health Fair on Saturday, June 3. The Haxtun Hospital Foundation will cover the cost for the first 50 people to be scanned. The InBody machine will also be at the Phillips County/CSU Extension Office June 5-8. The price has been reduced to $10/scan from the regular rate of $20. Please call the CSU/Phillips County Extension office at (970) 854-3616 or email Stephanie Starkebaum at [email protected] to schedule your InBody appointment for June 5-8.

Colorado State University Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.