Shell Point Hosted WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM to Encourage Wellness
FORT MYERS, FL (June 29, 2009) — Shell Point Retirement Community hosted a weight-loss program for its employees, called the Biggest Loser, which was named after the popular reality TV show. The Shell Point program began on March 30 and occurred over a three month period, ending on June 22, with 112 employees from 21 departments participating in the program.
“This program was very rewarding for everyone who participated. Many participants were sad to see it coming to an end, so they have decided as a group to still work together and support each other in living a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Mary Franklin, resort services manager for Shell Point.
Shell Point Biggest Loser program was a 12 week program, which was run by personal trainer Christie Smith who works for Shell Point. Participants met weekly to weigh-in, as well as had the opportunity to participate in a weekly “employee boot-camp”, a rigorous fitness class lead by Smith, which was available to all Shell Point employees. Employees in the weight-loss program watched what they ate, and utilized other fitness opportunities, such as gym memberships and discounts, to help them reach their personal and team goals.
“Losing weight can be a difficult task when you are trying to do it alone,” said Smith. “By creating this program, it helped everyone work as a team to reach goals they set personally and as a team.”
In the 12 week program, employees lost a total of 652 pounds as a team, and 11 individuals lost more than 10% of their body weight. “It has been so rewarding to see the employees go through the process and reach their own goals,” said Smith.
Renee Bittner, Medical Center Manager at Shell Point, participated in the program and won the overall individual weight-loss goal, losing 15.8% of her body weight. “This program has been so helpful for me in setting and reaching goals towards a healthier lifestyle. Participating in this program has helped me in weight-loss which led to other rewards, such a having more energy and feeling great,” said Bittner.
Shell Point Retirement Community is a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community located in Fort Myers just off Summerlin Road, two miles before the Sanibel causeway. With more than 850 employees, Shell Point is one of the top employers in Lee County (ranked number 14 by the Economic Development Office of Lee County in 2008). Shell Point has received national accreditation from CARF-CCAC, and is a nationally recognized leader in the retirement industry. The community offers retirement living in a resort-style environment with an 18-hole championship golf course, deep water boating access, and recreational and fitness facilities. To learn more about Shell Point, visit us at www.shellpoint.org or call 1-800-780-1131.
