Through education and exercise, the Walk-A-Weigh program is showing excellent results for some participants. Walk-A-Weigh is a weight loss program presented through the Mississippi State Extension Service with a focus on giving participants the necessary tools to make lifestyle changes which will impact their lives in a positive manner.
Tracy Gregory, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent with MSU Extension said, “It is a weight loss program, but it’s a little different than others because we do include exercise for about half of our lesson.”
Gregory stated that the Extension Service provides research-based information and curriculum which they deliver to the public, which is in keeping with their motto: Extending Knowledge, Changing Lives. Much of the curriculum for Walk-A-Weigh comes from the University of Georgia and was adapted by MSU Extension.
At the first and last meeting of each year, there is usually a nurse present who records each participant’s blood pressure and weight, to show the impact of the program. Gregory pointed out that not all participants are there for weight loss; some are there to receive information on health, nutrition and things they can do to change their lifestyle.
Some of the program objectives are: change eating and activity patterns; prepare and eat food with less salt, fat and sodium. The information, if followed, can help to prevent diseases such as diabetes, cardio-vascular disease and some types of cancer.
The individual lessons consist of an informational period using PowerPoint presentation, exercise time, and possibly a recipe tasting time. Participants are also given problem-solving exercises to help strengthen their weight-loss skills. For instance, one of the lessons discusses how to make healthy eating choices at restaurants, including fast food.
Gregory said that the aim is to help people to make wise decisions, and to help them develop a support system amongst fellow classmates, family and friends.
Sharon Mitchell, a 2018 class member has seen an 18 pound weight loss in the first seven weeks of the class, as she has used the information and exercise principles put forth to make a lifestyle change.
Mitchell stated that the information was presented in a way that made it easy to understand, and very helpful if one is determined to get healthy and lose weight, and she highly recommends the program to others interested in making a lifestyle change.
The program usually runs for eight to ten weeks, once a week, but can be extended if needed, and each lesson usually lasts about one hour. Gregory stated that the lessons can run longer depending on the feedback she receives from participants.
