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“Biggest Loser” Awards Ceremony and Wellness Program Information
By frhayes | August 19, 2008
On Tuesday, August 19th at 9:00 A.M. in the Headquarters Gym, the “Biggest Loser” contest awards ceremony was hosted by the Contest Organizer (Exercise/Nutritionist Corey Howe M.S.), members of the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) Command Staff, and members of Local 372. Winners were announced and presented with their awards.
Corey organized and developed the “Biggest Loser Challenge” with several goals towards the increase in Wellness, Fitness, Nutrition, Education, and Safety for our members of the LBFD. Corey saw a direct need associated with the extreme physiological and psychological demands of the job that are dramatically imperative to being Healthy and Fit in order to be successful, safe, and decrease injuries in the LBFD. In addition the “Biggest Loser Challenge” was a direct way to make a fun concept spread into our stations as an enjoyable competitive based challenge.
The “Biggest Loser Challenge” was a 16-week challenge consisting of percentage of body fat loss, percentage of weight loss, and percentage of lean muscle mass gained. LBFD members could compete in either the individual or team category (4 members) making it a fun competitive atmosphere between individuals, stations and crews. Participates were encouraged to use the help and guidance of Corey with fitness education, setting individual/team goals, workout programs, motivational support, nutrition, diet, and tips. The participants were also encouraged to workout with Corey during the challenge at the one of a kind New Headquarters Fitness Center Gym.
Corey stated “My goal with this challenge was to motivate individuals to make the necessary changes to lead a healthier and injury free lifestyle. Also, I was hoping those changes would spread throughout the department, which they have. There is a waiting list for the next challenge starting in January and I’m booked with appointments 3 weeks out!” There were over 80+ members of the LBFD that participated in this challenge and the top 25 lost over 10% in body Fat and lost over 15 pounds of fat.
The Long Beach Fire Department is 1 of only 6 departments in the Nation that have a dynamic Wellness Program and Fitness Gym. The LBFD Wellness program is unique in having their own Exercise Physiologist position, along with Santa Ana College Fitness Assessment program. This program has several components, which are strictly confidential, and is comprised of medical evaluation (blood draw), fitness evaluations, and educational workshops.
Specifically the blood draw has identified coronary artery disease as well as some types of cancers in their early stages in other fire departments where immediate treatment has served to save lives, which based on statistics the LBFD should expect to encounter in the future.
The fitness assessment consists of a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) a graded exercise treadmill test, resting and exercise blood pressures, pulmonary test, body composition and flexibility tests, and muscular strength and endurance components.
The Santa Fitness Assessment program along with the Exercise Physiologist position directly complements the success of our Wellness program. Also, through the direct partnership between labor and management over the last few years. The program has made great advancements since it’s inception in 2001, when 395 members enrolled in the program, with only a select number participating in all of the components available. This year the majority of all sworn and civilian employees have enrolled in the program and participated in the beginning stages of the seminars and blood draw.
The wellness program is intended to improve the quality of life for all firefighters, and our civilian employees, the investments that have been made, and that will be made in the future to maintain a healthy, fit, and capability workforce are well worth the effort, and costs associated. Again with the extreme physical, physiological, and psychological demands of the job it is imperative that all members take advantage of this great program and that funding is appropriated in the future for it’s continued advancement.
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