Success is Measured by the Pound

By Judy Weeks

IMMOKALEE — The Immokalee Seminole Shape-Up Contest, sponsored by Chairman Mitchell Cypress, has been completed. Designed to promote a healthy lifestyle through exercise, proper nutrition and loss of excess weight, it is making great strides in the community.

Weigh-in for the 12 week contest was Jan. 19–20. Immokalee Nutritionist Charlotte Porcaro supervised the contest and met weekly with the participants through the Lifestyle Balance program. Healthy diet, food preparation, exercise, addictions, will power, eating habits and a support group were stressed. Blood pressure and sugar monitoring were suggested and done upon request.

Forty-three prospective participants weighed-in at the beginning of the project, being represented by 17 Tribal citizens, six spouses and 20 employees.

By the end of the 12 week period, 18 people showed weight loss with the following results:

Winning Tribal Members: 1. Sylvia Marrero, 21.2 pounds, 2. Lorraine Posada, 13.6 pounds, 3. Mary Sanchez, 11.2 pounds, 4. Michelle Ford, 8 pounds; Winning Employees and Spouses: 1. Angie Arreguin, 15.8 pounds, 2. Crissie Carter, 15 pounds, 3. Mario Posada, 11.6 pounds, 4. Rosa Garcia, 11 pounds, Mayra Garcia, 11 pounds, Jennifer Ramos, 11 pounds

The total weight Loss was 129.4 pounds.

What makes the reward even sweeter is the fact that many of the participants have been involved in the previous weight loss contests and have accumulated a far greater success.

Chairman Mitchell Cypress first sponsored this program in Immokalee in September of 2005. His goal was to help establish a better lifestyle for the tribal members as well as employees. Many people talk about making changes tomorrow, but it never comes.

Using himself as an example, he described the wake up call he received from diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. For him, tomorrow had arrived. Seeking professional help, he began a whole new lifestyle which involved gradual healthy changes. As he pointed out, he did not get into trouble over night and if change is for the better, it needs to be permanent and gradual so as not to create new problems and dangers.

Through hard work and determination, he has achieved his goals and now works daily to maintain his new lifestyle. However, he does not really consider it to be work. Now he finds satisfaction and well-being in his daily routine.

“Feeling good is contagious and I want to give you what I have,” he said. “The first contest was to get you started, but the following ones have been to help you stay motivated and encourage a healthy, productive lifestyle. I am very proud to have been part of the process and want to congratulate your success. Everything comes full circle when you are on the right path.”

Many people have benefited from this program and would like to share their accomplishments. Sylvia Marrero has been dangerously over weight for most of her life. She always wanted to change, but lacked the conviction and will-power to make a difference. Since entering the first contest in September, she has lost a total of 42 pounds, altered her eating habits, begun to exercise and take control of her diabetes.

“My self-esteem is growing and I am able to smile and laugh at myself,” Marrero said. “I have been walking around the office with one hand holding up my pants and talking about borrowing suspenders. It feels great to brag about going shopping for clothes because mine are too big, not too small.

“The greatest thing that’s happened is the effect it’s having on my daughter, Jade. She also has a weight issue and I now have the strength and determination to help her deal with it. As she sees the changes in me, she is more willing to accept the new guidelines I am setting for her. The other day she even asked for a health bar which she wouldn’t even try in the beginning and is eating fruit rather than fried chicken for an after school snack.”

Porcaro pointed out, “Sylvia’s weight loss has been gradual after the initial changes in her habits. She has been safely reducing by one to two pounds per week and keeping it off. She is open to suggestions and attends all of the Lifestyle Balance meetings. She frequently inquiries about food sources and changes in the ingredients that she uses to prepare the family meals.”

Jennifer Ramos and Noemi Escobar have reached their ideal body weight and will be continuing their new routines to maintain the good health they have achieved.

Michelle Ford has shed the pounds and dropped inches from all the important places. Her pant sizes have dropped dramatically and she is only a few pounds from her ideal body weight.

“I started working out at the gym regularly and find that I am losing inches but not as many pounds,” she said. “I have tightened everything up and feel fantastic.”

“I had been saving clothes that were too small, but now they are too big and I am rewarding myself with a shopping spree. Someone asked if I was going to save my old clothes for later and I replied, ‘Definitely not!’ I feel too good to backslide.”

Immokalee is beginning its next Shape-Up Program, which will last 16 weeks. Immokalee Council Liaison Ralph Sanchez will sponsor. Please join in on the road to a healthy, happy lifestyle.