3rd Annual “Aim to Maintain” program encourages Baptist Memorial employees to stay healthy during the holidays

Aim to Maintain 2017–2018:
Weight Loss Challenge Helps Keep the Pounds Off During the Holidays

Baptist and the Salvation Army Kroc Center teamed up to offer Aim to Maintain, a program designed to help Baptist and Kroc Center employees keep off extra pounds during the holiday season.

Ann Marie Wallace, senior involvement and special events coordinator, has helped manage the program for the past three years.

“The holidays can cause a lot of stress and provide many opportunities for overeating,” said Wallace. “To help Baptist employees jumpstart their New Year’s resolutions and avoid gaining unwanted and unplanned pounds during the holiday season, we partnered with the Kroc Center on Aim to Maintain.”

Program participants weigh in at the start of the program in November. A final weigh-out is scheduled after the New Year. Participants who stay on the program and lose or maintain their weight are eligible to win prizes.

“We thought prizes coupled with friendly competition would motivate participants to stick with the program,” said Wallace.

Incentives include gym memberships, fitness watches, gift cards and other related items. Kroc Center staff members pick the gifts.

Wallace participated in the program this year and won a prize for losing three pounds. Her gifts included a two-month studio exercise membership to the Kroc Center.

Wallace credits her success to making small changes. “I tried to eat sensibly and limit my sweets to a tablespoon at meals and events.”

Of 255 initial participants, 121 lost weight. They had a combined weight loss of 453 pounds. Participants lost between 0 and 24 pounds, with an average weight loss of 4.7 pounds. Kroc Center awarded 30 prizes to a selection of winners.

Baptist and the Kroc Center have plans to expand the program next year. For more information about Baptist’s weight loss services or programs, please visit our website.