“
The Second Annual Biggest Loser Contest sponsored by La Costa Chiropractic began with a kick-off party in April at the Carlsbad Library. The contest, which will continue for three months, is modeled on the television show that encourages healthy weight loss through friendly competition.
At the kick off, La Costa Chiropractic's Dr. Michael Berry, D.C., spoke about the negative impact of an unhealthy lifestyle. “Heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes are four of the five leading causes of death in the United States, and are directly related to poor diet and inactivity,” he said.
Berry showed statistics supporting fewer days lost from work and increased productivity among those who have healthier lifestyles. “The goal of the Biggest Loser Contest is to help people make positive changes to their lifestyles and to bring about improved health and a more active lifestyle,” he said.
The contestants were introduced to consultants who are available during the contest to help them achieve personal goals. Consultants participating in this year's program are: Drake Kellas, a clinical specialist with Metagenics; Jill Van Bodegom-Smith, assistant general manager with PureFitness; and Lee Anne Walsh, registered dietitian with Be Well.
Contest participants were motivated by hearing the Biggest Loser winner from last year's contest speak about how this event changed her life. Belinda Wilson attributes her 30-lbs.-plus weight loss and the fact that she was able to eliminate her cholesterol and high blood pressure medications to the healthy lifestyle changes she made. “I feel great!” Belinda enthused.
Dr. Kayla Biewer, a chiropractor with La Costa Chiropractic said that this year's contest is even more engaging than last year's. “We currently have 13 contestants vying for the title of Biggest Loser, with four of those returning from last year”, she said. “But a few improvements have been made to the program. In addition to losing weight, participants will try to improve their body fat percentage, blood pressure, pulse, and waist-hip circumferences.”
The contestants see their values of blood pressure, pulse, body mass index (BMI) and their waist-to-hip ratio, and are informed how these numbers correlate to health risks. Contestants are encouraged to have lab work done to measure their cholesterol (HDL, LDL, VLDL), triglycerides, and hemoglobin A1c.
According to Lee Anne Walsh, R.D. these numbers are significant in their ability to gauge important changes. “These lab tests, in combination with other factors, can be diagnostic tools for the presence of or risk for insulin resistance, heart disease, and diabetes, which are so prevalent in our society,” she said. “All of these numbers can be improved with a change in diet and increase in activity level.”
Finally, a neuro-spinal functional index score is determined by an exam with one of the chiropractors. “This is a comprehensive health score that indicates how well your body is responding to stress”, said Dr. Biewer.
New contestants are welcome at any time throughout the contest. The main goal of the Biggest Loser Contest is to improve the health of people by training them how to make positive lifestyle changes, while having fun with healthy competition.
“We don't want these changes to be for just three months; we want to make gradual changes that will last a lifetime”, Walsh said.
As incentives, there are great prizes for the top four Biggest Losers. The prizes include: a one-year membership to PureFitness for the winner; second runner-up receives a make-over compliments of Bella Dora Spa; third runner-up will get a healthy gift basket; and fourth runner-up receives a one-hour massage at La Costa Chiropractic. For more information or to join in the competition, please call La Costa Chiropractic at (760) 438-9548.
The Second Annual Biggest Loser Contest sponsored by La Costa Chiropractic began with a kick-off party in April at the Carlsbad Library. The contest, which will continue for three months, is modeled on the television show that encourages healthy weight loss through friendly competition.
At the kick off, La Costa Chiropractic's Dr. Michael Berry, D.C., spoke about the negative impact of an unhealthy lifestyle. “Heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes are four of the five leading causes of death in the United States, and are directly related to poor diet and inactivity,” he said.
Berry showed statistics supporting fewer days lost from work and increased productivity among those who have healthier lifestyles. “The goal of the Biggest Loser Contest is to help people make positive changes to their lifestyles and to bring about improved health and a more active lifestyle,” he said.
The contestants were introduced to consultants who are available during the contest to help them achieve personal goals. Consultants participating in this year's program are: Drake Kellas, a clinical specialist with Metagenics; Jill Van Bodegom-Smith, assistant general manager with PureFitness; and Lee Anne Walsh, registered dietitian with Be Well.
Contest participants were motivated by hearing the Biggest Loser winner from last year's contest speak about how this event changed her life. Belinda Wilson attributes her 30-lbs.-plus weight loss and the fact that she was able to eliminate her cholesterol and high blood pressure medications to the healthy lifestyle changes she made. “I feel great!” Belinda enthused.
Dr. Kayla Biewer, a chiropractor with La Costa Chiropractic said that this year's contest is even more engaging than last year's. “We currently have 13 contestants vying for the title of Biggest Loser, with four of those returning from last year”, she said. “But a few improvements have been made to the program. In addition to losing weight, participants will try to improve their body fat percentage, blood pressure, pulse, and waist-hip circumferences.”
The contestants see their values of blood pressure, pulse, body mass index (BMI) and their waist-to-hip ratio, and are informed how these numbers correlate to health risks. Contestants are encouraged to have lab work done to measure their cholesterol (HDL, LDL, VLDL), triglycerides, and hemoglobin A1c.
According to Lee Anne Walsh, R.D. these numbers are significant in their ability to gauge important changes. “These lab tests, in combination with other factors, can be diagnostic tools for the presence of or risk for insulin resistance, heart disease, and diabetes, which are so prevalent in our society,” she said. “All of these numbers can be improved with a change in diet and increase in activity level.”
Finally, a neuro-spinal functional index score is determined by an exam with one of the chiropractors. “This is a comprehensive health score that indicates how well your body is responding to stress”, said Dr. Biewer.
New contestants are welcome at any time throughout the contest. The main goal of the Biggest Loser Contest is to improve the health of people by training them how to make positive lifestyle changes, while having fun with healthy competition.
“We don't want these changes to be for just three months; we want to make gradual changes that will last a lifetime”, Walsh said.
As incentives, there are great prizes for the top four Biggest Losers. The prizes include: a one-year membership to PureFitness for the winner; second runner-up receives a make-over compliments of Bella Dora Spa; third runner-up will get a healthy gift basket; and fourth runner-up receives a one-hour massage at La Costa Chiropractic. For more information or to join in the competition, please call La Costa Chiropractic at (760) 438-9548.