September 23, 2005

MGHers commit to Be Fit: Third phase of program launched

The Clinics Amphitheater was jam-packed Sept. 20 with an excited crowd of MGHers who pledged to spend the next 10 weeks learning how to eat healthy and exercise more effectively with the hospital's Be Fit program. Now in its third phase, the Be Fit program is sponsored by the Clubs at Charles River Park and MGH Nutrition and Food Services and is meant to help six teams of MGH employees embark on a life-long journey of living a healthier lifestyle.

The third-phase launch resembled a pep rally with loud applause and rousing cheers as each of the six teams were introduced. Team members from Radiology, Cardiology, Research, Police and Security and the Cancer Center will engage in a friendly competition that will be measured by weight loss, the number of workouts and the amount of Be Fit meals consumed. A new dimension to this phase of the program is the introduction of a new team — called the X-halers — that includes 17 MGHers from throughout the hospital who want to quit smoking. In addition to learning to eat right and exercise, this team will go through a smoking cessation component of the program.

With help from a registered dietitian and a personal trainer from the Clubs, each team will meet weekly to discuss nutrition and exercise as well as have a weigh-in to monitor their weight loss progress. Each week, team members also will get one Be Fit meal coupon to use at the Eat Street Café that is good for a free low-calorie, portion-controlled meal and three coupons to use at the Clubs for free workouts.

"One of the things I learned going through the second phase of this program myself is that the hardest thing to do is to change your own behavior," said Jeff Davis, senior vice president for Human Resources and a Be Fit 'survivor.' "I encourage you to help each other as a team to make these life changes. So have fun together, eat together, work out together and may the best team win."

Kate Brill-Davis, general manager of the Clubs,
speaks at the Be Fit rally.