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NEWS RELEASE – January 12, 2024
Summers County ARH and the City of Hinton partner for The Biggest Loser contest
January 12, 2024 – Summers County ARH Hospital and the City of Hinton are joining forces to encourage area residents to prioritize their health in 2024 by participating in Hinton’s Biggest Loser competition.
This is the third year for the challenge, which is modeled after the popular TV weight loss program, “The Biggest Loser.”
The 8-week contest, which offers participants a discounted gym membership as well as weekly educational support classes, kicks off Jan. 13 with an open house and weigh-in at Bobcat Fitness Center, a facility owned by the City of Hinton.
Fitness center employee Ginny Hatcher, who oversees the contest, says participants are asked to stop by the gym that day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. For those unable to attend, a second opportunity to weigh-in will be offered Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Weekly weigh-ins will take place every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Classes covering a variety of topics including exercise tips and healthful cooking habits will occur each Tuesday at 5 p.m.
“The classes are designed to not only provide information and ideas on creating healthier lifestyles, but also to just let participants talk and share their stories,” Hatcher said. “It’s important to have that support system in place when you’re working so hard to change your lifestyle.”
Hatcher, who began working for the gym after participating in the contest in 2022, says she knows first-hand how difficult it can be to not only lose weight, but to keep it off.
“I know what it’s like to struggle,” she said. “So, I know how important this is and how much it can help.”
Summers County ARH Rehab Director Kristi Scott says helping to provide that support is the reason for the hospital’s involvement in the contest.
“Our No. 1 priority is to improve the health of those living in our community,” she said. “This is a good, fun way for Summers County ARH and the community to work together to achieve those goals.”
Hatcher said the 36 participants who completed the 2023 contest, lost a total of 363.5 lbs.
Though she is pleased with those results, she said she hopes to see an even larger turnout this year.
“I’d like to see us get 100 people,” she said, adding her total weight loss goal for the group is 500 lbs. “I want to see a lot of pounds shed. But really, I just want people to know they can do it. If people take that first step, we can help with the rest.
“We’re here to guide, educate and encourage.”
Registration for Hinton’s Biggest Loser is $15 for members of the Bobcat Fitness Center and $20 for non-members.
Throughout the duration of the contest, membership to the gym, which includes a 24-hour access key, is discounted from $30 per month to $20, with a one-time fee of $10.
At the conclusion of the competition, prizes will be awarded to the male and female “Biggest Losers” as well as to the team with the largest weight loss percentage. Participants can also compete in weekly mini-challenges designed to help them stay motivated.
For more information, contact Bobcat Fitness at 304-309-4181.
Bobcat Fitness Center, of which Summers County ARH is a sponsor, is located at 301 Summers St. in Hinton.
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Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), is a not-for-profit health system operating 14 hospitals in Barbourville, Hazard, Harlan, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, West Liberty, Whitesburg, and South Williamson in Kentucky and Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, as well as multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores and retail pharmacies. ARH employs more than 6,500 people with an annual payroll and benefits of $330 million generated into our local economies. ARH also has a network of more than 600 active and courtesy medical staff members. ARH is the largest provider of care and the single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third-largest private employer in southern West Virginia.