Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 20, 1992 TAG: 9202200589
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SUSAN BRANTLEY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
GRANT SISTERS OUT TO LOSE SO THEY CAN WIN AGAIN
The Grant sisters are 50 pounds thinner than they were a year ago, and they are trying to lose more weight.The five sisters, winners of the 1991 Lighten Up Valley Challenge, are preparing for this year's LUV Challenge, which starts with weigh-ins on Feb. 27. For four weeks, they will encourage each other to eat healthy and wise and have fun.
When the five sisters - Shirley Akers, Linda Craig, Barbara Crouse, Brenda Harth and Kathy Martin of the Salem and Blue Ridge areas - joined the 1991 challenge, they made losing weight a family affair. They not only lost weight, but they also learned to incorporate nutrition and exercise into their daily lives, received shopping and cooking tips, and won $500. Plus, they also got to spend some extra time together.
The $500 grand prize was a great incentive, but it played no part in their decision to join. "We did it for our health," said Martin, the youngest of five daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Grant of Salem.
Each of the sisters lost at least 10 pounds.
"It gave us a chance to get together when we otherwise probably wouldn't have made time." Craig said.
Once weekly, before a scheduled seminar, the sisters would meet at Western Sizzlin Steak House for a salad and baked potato. They also were in constant contact by phone.
The Feb. 28 through March 28 valleywide team weight loss competition is sponsored by the Roanoke Valley Alive and Well Coalition, a project of the Council of Community Services. Partial funding is provided by Project Low-fat Eating for America Now (LEAN), a national nutrition-education campaign.
The 720 participants in the 1991 challenge formed 145 teams and collectively lost 2,691.5 pounds. On the average, 3.75 pounds were lost per person, which pleased coalition officials.
In order to ensure that the emphasis remained on eating the correct foods and exercising properly, as opposed to extensive weight loss, the competition was done on a point system. Individuals could receive up to 30 points for pounds lost, exercising three times a week, and attending weekly nutrition-education seminars. A winning team was chosen by adding up the individuals' points to get the team total.
Anyone interested in more information about the 1992 LUV Challenge should call Lori Davies at 985-0131.