Pew Campus Security competes in 'Biggest Loser'

The Pew Campus Security staff has the everyday challenge of keeping the campus and surrounding area safe and secure. This summer, staff members had an additional challenge -- weight loss.

After officer Dan Lopez was put in charge of the health and wellness for the department, he came up with the idea of the "Biggest Loser Challenge." The challenge was to see who could lose the most weight over a specific time. Lopez told Dori Runyon, administrative assistant, his idea and they came up with the rules and prizes, and set the weigh-in dates. Director Al Wygant approved it and the department competed in the challenge from May 2-July 25.

The total weight-loss for the department was 90 pounds. Lopez took third place in the competition losing 5 percent of his weight, while student worker Leigh Blanchard took second place losing 7.7 percent of her weight, and Runyon placed first losing 14.7 percent of her weight.

"I would suggest participating in Weight Watchers," said Runyon. "The key is commitment, and you have to actually want to make a change. Take it one day at a time, some days will be better than others, but a person should make sure they have more good weight-loss days than bad ones."

In addition to dieting, Runyon and Lopez both found time to fit exercising into their weight-loss routine. "With the nature of my job, I'm always walking and going up and down stairs. I try not to take elevators anymore. Mix that in with the work that I do at home, as far as mowing the lawn, chopping wood, weight training and calisthenics, I stay active and not sit around," said Lopez.  

Lopez said is trying to plan more activities that will benefit the overall health and wellness for department staff, as well as adding fun and competition. Runyon said Lopez plan to participate in Know Your Numbers, the health screening assessment offered to faculty and staff members in October. For more information about the screenings, visit the Web site www.gvsu.edu/healthwellness and click on "Know Your Numbers GVSU."    

Photo by Amanda Pitts / Pew Campus Security staff members Dan Lopez and Dori Runyon competed with others in a weight loss challenge.