May 6, 2005

Be Fit: Fun, awards highlight end of first phase

The first phase of the hospital's Be Fit program recently drew to a close, as program participants celebrated their efforts to achieve good health and cheered each other on to continue their successes. The 12-week pilot program — sponsored by MGH Nutrition and Food Services and the Clubs at Charles River Park — featured a healthy lifestyle challenge among teams from Buildings and Grounds, Environmental Services, Materials Management, Human Resources, Nutrition and Food Services and members of the Clubs.

With guidance from assigned registered dietitians and personal trainers, the six groups accomplished an astounding total weight loss of 581.5 pounds during the first phase of the program. The groups worked out a total of 2,901 times and consumed 862 Nutralert meals — now renamed Be Fit meals — from the Eat Street Café. Members of all six teams celebrated with an awards ceremony April 28 in the Clinics Lower Amphitheater.

The Buildings and Grounds team won in the "Most Weight Loss" category with a total of 215 pounds. Their prize is a poolside barbeque party at the Clubs. Each Human Resources team member won an exercise band for topping the "Most Workouts" category with 744 workouts. The Environmental Services team consumed the most Be Fit meals, earning them a catered Be Fit party as their prize for eating 183 meals. The Nutrition and Food Services team received the "Most Improved" prize for making the most progress, earning them a 30-minute personal training session with Kate Brill-Daley, general manager of the Clubs. Materials Management team members were deemed "Most Motivated," with a prize of a 30-minute nutrition session with Lillian Sonnenberg, DSc, RD, senior manager of the MGH Nutrition Services. And the "Spunk, Spice and Spirit" award went to the Clubs team, garnering a special Be Fit poolside celebration at the Clubs.

All of the team members received tickets to a Revolution soccer game, and each team received an award certificate. The teams also were treated to an entertaining rendition of "La Bamba" performed by Environmental Services team member Aristeo Amaro. These six teams now have entered into the second phase of the program, with group meetings twice a month with their assigned dietitians and personal trainers. They are encouraged to continue with their workouts and improved nutritional habits. Above, Aristeo Amaro serenades the Be Fit teams.

Six new teams — mostly from Patient Care Services — now have begun the Be Fit program, starting the first 12 weeks of a weight loss competition among Social Services, two teams from Nursing, Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and a team from MGH Administration.