Alexis Anderson
Staff Writer
In response to all the new restaurants on campus, including those set to open next semester, members of the class of 2013 have started a weight loss challenge to battle the bulge.
On November 2, 16 juniors met in the Walter Payton Recreation and Wellness Center for the 213 Pound Challenge, and now every Wednesday they meet at 7 p.m. at the Payton Center to work out for an hour. Some challenge participants exercise on their own time.
By the end of this school year, members of the weight loss challenge hope to collectively lose 213 pounds.
Tiara Lavender, a junior mass communications major from Cincinnati, Ohio, said. “I decided to exercise with the class because it is a chance for me to bond with more classmates and to get healthier.”
Trent Robinson, a junior business management major from Dallas, Texas, said, “The need to exercise is very vital because we have a lot of new food selections on campus, and it is very easy to gain weight.”
Chantal Lewis, junior class president and mass communications, integrated marketing major from Jackson, planned the weight loss challenge after hearing about the new restaurants opening for the school year. “At first it was a joke, but my class officers thought about ways to increase the class participation and raise awareness about the importance of staying healthy,” said Lewis.
“Some people want to exercise, but don’t have anybody to exercise with, so we thought it would be a great idea to exercise together,” she continued.
Class officers would like for more people to join the challenge, and they welcome students from all classifications to join. So far only juniors have participated.
“My committee and I are trying to find more creative ways to publicize,” said Lewis who also said turnout for the workouts are slowly improving.
While challenge members don’t have any particular exercises they utilize the WPCs weight equipment and do jumping jacks. In the future, Lewis said the group may do workout classes together.
Currently, challenge participants have not decided on rewards for the person or people who lose the most weight, but Lewis said participants will feel a sense of fulfillment. “The only reward is getting our classmates healthier and bonding.”
In addition to working out, class officials are encouraging others to improve their diets. Personally, Lewis said she is working on cutting her food portions, and she goes days without junk food.
On September 12, the class had a forum with speakers from ViSalus Body By Vi, a weight loss company that sales products including nutritional shakes to promote wellness. Students in attendance made and sampled the company’s weight loss shakes, and speakers discussed different exercise regimens.
Junior class business manager, April Williams, and junior, Lakeidra Davis, are responsible for keeping records of the amount loss by the participants. In an effort to be discrete, the class has a sign-in sheet for people to write down their J numbers and the weight they’ve lost.
For updates on the 213 Pound Challenge, check the class of 2013’s Facebook page, JSU Class of 2013, or Twitter page, @jsutigers2013.
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