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July 2, 2009

And the winners are …

‘Thanks, Coach’

Some of the 2009 Weight Race participants enlisted the help of a health coach to support them throughout the challenge — a strategy shown to increase the chances of meeting one’s weight loss goals. Compared to the same period last year, UPMC Health Plan noted a one and a half time increase in enrollment of the health coach program. The leading referral source came from the Weight Race. For more information about UPMC Health Plan’s services, call
1-800-994-2752, option 2.

The 2009 UPMC MyHealth Weight Race ended on June 19. While the teams’ achievements might not warrant a championship parade like those held for the Steelers or Penguins, there were some stellar weight race accomplishments.

All told, 3,629 racers completed the race, contributing to a total loss of 20,267 pounds (over 10 tons). More than 71 percent of participants completed the 12-week challenge, and 541 participants reached 100 percent of their weight loss goal. 

Of the 1,178 teams that competed, the overall top 10 teams* are:

  • Flab 5, Corporate Services
  • Rosie’s Fab Five, UPMC Passavant
  • Deja Losers, UPMC Presbyterian
  • Flab-u-Less Five, Corporate Services
  • 3 Men & a Little Debbie, UPMC Passavant
  • GF Team, Physician Services Division
  • Chippin’ Away The Pounds, UPMC Health Plan
  • Who Shed That?, UPMC Health Plan
  • A Thorn Between 2 Roses, UPMC McKeesport
  • Phat Cats, UPMC Passavant

The top five locations, based on average pounds lost per Weight Race participant, are:

  • UPMC Braddock
  • UPMC McKeesport
  • Corporate Services
  • UPMC Cancer Centers
  • UPMC/Jefferson Regional Home Health

The race may be over, but the new lifestyles and positive attitudes adopted by the 2009 Weight Race participants have just begun. All participants deserve thanks and praise for their enthusiasm, efforts, and willpower!

*Teams chosen for achieving the most progress toward their initial weight loss goal.

 

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