NEW GLARUS - A group of area residents are proud to say they are big losers - at least when it comes to weight loss.
According to a new report by Trust for America's Health, Wisconsin has reached the 22nd highest rate of adult obesity at 24.8 percent and the 28th highest rate of overweight youths at 13.5 percent in 2007.
One solution has come to the area in the form of "Biggest Loser" weight loss challenges inspired by the popular fitness reality TV show, "The Biggest Loser." The 12-week course offers tips on nutrition and exercise, paired with a hint of competition.
Monte Molencamp, a personal wellness coach who lives in Monticello, has brought the Loser challenge to New Glarus. Working under the name N'Shape, he has recently expanded and brought the "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenges to Monroe, Fitchburg and soon to Dodgeville.
"Our philosophy is that every body needs a core set of nutrients and then each individual requires specific amounts of micro and macro nutrients based on their personal goals and body size," Molencamp said. "This is just a complicated way to say we are all the same yet very different. We've found that once people are getting the proper nutrition for their bodies, weight loss, gain or maintenance becomes the side effect of that good nutrition.
"In order to educate people on what they need, we provide each challenge participant with a private Wellness Evaluation where they learn about their personal numbers: Resting Metabolic Rate, Lean Body Mass and Body Mass Index and more importantly what it means for them and how to take full advantage of what they have going for them," he said.
Challenge participants can use any healthful form of weight loss that they choose, most forms being acceptable except extremely low calorie intake or "starvation diets," while taking advantage of the group competition and morale building in the 12-week course. If participants do not have a program then N'Shape can provide one.
Participants pay a $29 fee for the 12-week challenge which goes into the prize pot, and a $5 administrative fee. At the end of the challenge, the top 3 Biggest Loser are awarded cash from the prize pot. The typical class pays out $1,000 in total prize money based on 40 participants.
Additionally, each week covers a different nutrition or lifestyle topic and has prizes for weekly winners and other personal breakthroughs. Each class is taught by a personal wellness coach and each participant has their own coach throughout the 12-week session.
The group is currently in its 11th week the 12-week challenge in New Glarus. The class has lost more than 400 pounds so far.
"Our overall goal is to educate people to make better choices for themselves and their families while providing a supportive, non-judgmental environment where they can learn, have fun and reach their wellness goals," Molencamp said.
The next session starts Thursday, April 18 and continues until July 3. Sessions will meet at 6:15 p.m. for weighing and measuring and classes from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., at Amcore Bank in Monroe at 1626 10th St.
Pre-registration is highly recommended. Call N'Shape (608) 558-9174 for details and pre-registration.
According to a new report by Trust for America's Health, Wisconsin has reached the 22nd highest rate of adult obesity at 24.8 percent and the 28th highest rate of overweight youths at 13.5 percent in 2007.
One solution has come to the area in the form of "Biggest Loser" weight loss challenges inspired by the popular fitness reality TV show, "The Biggest Loser." The 12-week course offers tips on nutrition and exercise, paired with a hint of competition.
Monte Molencamp, a personal wellness coach who lives in Monticello, has brought the Loser challenge to New Glarus. Working under the name N'Shape, he has recently expanded and brought the "Biggest Loser" Weight Loss Challenges to Monroe, Fitchburg and soon to Dodgeville.
"Our philosophy is that every body needs a core set of nutrients and then each individual requires specific amounts of micro and macro nutrients based on their personal goals and body size," Molencamp said. "This is just a complicated way to say we are all the same yet very different. We've found that once people are getting the proper nutrition for their bodies, weight loss, gain or maintenance becomes the side effect of that good nutrition.
"In order to educate people on what they need, we provide each challenge participant with a private Wellness Evaluation where they learn about their personal numbers: Resting Metabolic Rate, Lean Body Mass and Body Mass Index and more importantly what it means for them and how to take full advantage of what they have going for them," he said.
Challenge participants can use any healthful form of weight loss that they choose, most forms being acceptable except extremely low calorie intake or "starvation diets," while taking advantage of the group competition and morale building in the 12-week course. If participants do not have a program then N'Shape can provide one.
Participants pay a $29 fee for the 12-week challenge which goes into the prize pot, and a $5 administrative fee. At the end of the challenge, the top 3 Biggest Loser are awarded cash from the prize pot. The typical class pays out $1,000 in total prize money based on 40 participants.
Additionally, each week covers a different nutrition or lifestyle topic and has prizes for weekly winners and other personal breakthroughs. Each class is taught by a personal wellness coach and each participant has their own coach throughout the 12-week session.
The group is currently in its 11th week the 12-week challenge in New Glarus. The class has lost more than 400 pounds so far.
"Our overall goal is to educate people to make better choices for themselves and their families while providing a supportive, non-judgmental environment where they can learn, have fun and reach their wellness goals," Molencamp said.
The next session starts Thursday, April 18 and continues until July 3. Sessions will meet at 6:15 p.m. for weighing and measuring and classes from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., at Amcore Bank in Monroe at 1626 10th St.
Pre-registration is highly recommended. Call N'Shape (608) 558-9174 for details and pre-registration.