Who lost the most?

KNYSNA NEWS - More than 90 staff members at Community Day Centre (CDCs) clinics in Knysna and Bitou participated in the Health Department's Biggest Loser competition as part of National Nutrition and Obesity Week 2020, 9 to 15 October. They showed their colleagues and, most importantly, themselves that healthy lifestyle choices have a positive impact on well-being.

The competition, organised by the subdistrict's dietetic department, ended on 30 October after a month of hard work and dietary re-evaluations.

Participants were monitored with a point system and given healthy lifestyle information on various topics such as healthy eating, sleep and exercise. They also had access to a WhatsApp group where they could share tips and motivate each other daily.

A variety of prizes as well as a grand prize were up for grabs, and these staff members from Knysna Provincial Hospital and Knysna subdistrict came out tops:

• Winning group: The Sylvia Challenge (Keurhoek clinic)

• Individual winner who lost the most weight: Gina Fredericks (Knysna CDC clinic)

• Biggest Loser winner who put in the most effort: Joan Mopp (Hornlee Clinic)

• Best champion at updating information and organising: Yonela Khanzi (Knysna CDC clinic)

• Most inspirational competitor: Connie Makoena (Keurhoek Clinic)

• The Dark Horse (surprised everybody!): Siphokazi Nomafeje (Knysna Provincial Hospital)

• Fitness Guru Hyrone van Wyk for organising training (Knysna Provincial Hospital)

Individual winner Gina Fredericks, who lost 8kg during the competition and 14kg to date, is delighted with her weight loss.

"The competition motivated me to lead a healthier lifestyle and to be a role model to my patients. As a diabetic, I need to focus on a healthier lifestyle for my own health," she said.

"This was not just about weight loss, but overall health and a lasting lifestyle change," explained dietician Sam de Kock, who added that poor diet is among the leading health and societal challenges of the 21st century, leading to chronic diseases, disability and death, growing inequalities, staggering healthcare costs and environmental implications.

"We have to start with ourselves first if we want to change our lifestyle to be healthier," De Kock said. She also pointed out that a healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The individual winner who lost the most weight, Gina Fredericks of the Knysna CDC clinic, with dietician Sam de Kock.