Weight-Loss Challenge Spotlights School Rivalry

Faculty and staff at Powder Springs' neighboring high schools are teaming up to participate in an untypical challenge: weight loss. 

One reason adults from and  are taking part is because they stand to reap the benefits of living healthier and trimmed waistlines.

The weight loss competition is called The New Macland Road Challenge, fashioned after the reality TV show The Biggest Loser.

The schools have been considered rivals since Hillgrove opened in 2006, so winners of the challenge get bragging rights and home field advantage. 

“That was all I needed to get me motivated,” said Beth Mims, a bookkeeper for McEachern who so far has lost about 20lbs. “Hillgrove is our biggest rival … so game on.” 

Participants of both teams weighed in Jan. 18 to begin the challenge, and it will conclude April 1, the week of spring break. 

Like the NBC series, participants are weighed on a weekly basis to see if they're reaching their individual goals. The total weight loss percentage between the two teams will determine the overall winner. 

“Football, basketball, weight loss—it doesn’t matter,” said McEachern Assistant Principal Paul Gillihan. “If it’s Hillgrove against McEachern, then there’s a rivalry.” 

Hillgrove High has 24 participants, according to Jamie Hobbs, registered nurse and clinic nurse at the high school.

"The rivalry started out to be a driving factor," said Hobbs, who conducts the weekly weigh ins of the faculty and staff. "It came to be more of a personal challenge. That's where we're at now:  each individual trying to reach their goal."

Walking the campus and climbing stadium stairs are a few of the exercises conducted by the group of 30 participants at McEachern. Motivational articles, healthy recipes and new exercise suggestions are shared through group e-mails. 

At Hillgrove, Hobbs provides healthy living and lifestyle tips to the participants, including healthy menu ideas and exercise routines to keep them motivated.

"I am just a big cheerleader for them," Hobbs said.

For inspiration at McEachern, winners of the weekly challenge receive a $5 gift card from the local Subway restaurant that is sponsoring the contest. 

Eating healthy and exercising has its benefits. Existing medical conditions can wane, reflexes are improved and high blood pressure falls when following a healthy diet, Hobbs said.

"You maintain a good, healthy medical situation, and if you don't have situations now eating healthy and exercising will help you maintain that lifestyle," she said.

Mims, who is diabetic, has rid herself of blood pressure and heart medications since regularly exercising and eating healthy. 

“I just hope that I can maintain it and keep it off,” she said. “I want it to be a lifestyle and not a diet." 

Gillihan, who also has lost about 20 pounds, hopes the effort will set an example for students.

“If we’re healthier, we’re less likely to be absent, we’re more productive, and we have more energy,” he said. “We feel better, and that goes across to our students, which makes a better working environment.”