Learning to eat right

Nicole Therrien and Pat Stoyka
Contributors

Rainy River and Bergland Schools were a buzz of activity on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings as we met for our first weight-in in the Biggest Loser contest.
There were 40 registered participants in Rainy River who came to weigh-in with a total weight loss of 113.5 lbs. Some gained for a total weight gain of 5 lbs. giving us a net loss of 108.5 lbs. We have new members register for the contest bringing the Rainy River total to 54 members. In Bergland 20 registered participants showed up for a total of 33.2 lbs lost, some gained weight a total 2.6 lbs giving us a net loss of 30.6 lbs. Bergland added 3 new members bringing the total to 24 registered participants. Well done participants! We were pleased to see so many with a weight loss from 1 - 13 lbs for the first week.
As the enthusiasm is running high, Nicole took the opportunity to discuss healthy eating and physical activity safety. Eating 3 meals a day is recommended to provide regular nutrients for your body. Regular exercise will activate your metabolism to work harder and better thus helping your body to function healthier. Nicole recommended following the “Canadian Food Guide” which allows a variety of food as well as all important nutrients source to keep your body function adequately. Be careful of short term diets out there, because they can hurt you physically and mentally. Diets don’t alter your long term eating patterns. Where dieting is good for beginner motivation, long term dieting could be dangerous for your health.
The Canadian Food Guide identifies four food groups. In the grains products, five choices per day is recommended daily, choosing preferably whole grains product as bread, cereal, pasta and rice. In the vegetable and fruits products, five and more choice is recommended each day. The reason why fruit and vegetable should be chosen in abundance is because they contain no fat, are free of cholesterol, high in fiber and their antioxidant protect you again some disease such as cancer. Choose a variety of colors (green, yellow, orange, red) fruit and vegetable because each contain different vitamins and minerals; you need 2 to 3 milk products per day these are your milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream; and the last food group is the meat and alternatives products you should choose between 2 to 3 in this category each day from meat product, fish, poultry, egg, beans or tofu.
Healthy weight loss is important to maintain your weight.
People are reminded of the programs offered at the Baudette High School, ask us for a copy of the schedule next time you see us.
The Biggest Loser for Rainy River was April Trenchard. Her total weight loss of 13 lbs this week. Great job April. In Bergland Ed Pearson was the winner with a loss of 7.2 lbs. Great job Ed!
Our door prizes were won by Janice Olson in Rainy River. She chooses a gift provided by Shoppers Drug Mart in Fort Frances and the Bergland winner was MaryAnne McCormack choosing a gift donated by the CN Hotel from Jennie and Marion Brumwell. Thank again to Shoppers Drug Mart and the CN Hotel for their contribution in helping to make this event a fun and gratified event.
We eagerly look forward to see what we will achieve both individually and collectively by the time we complete this 12 week program.
For people who are thinking of joining, from both sides of the border, please do so. We will accept new memberships at any time during this program. Come and learn how to get a balance in your eating and exercise to improve your health.