Area Residents Shed Pounds, Inches at Holloway Center

LWC senior William Gates Jr. leads a "Flab2Fab" session in July at
the Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Almost three dozen area residents shed a lot of weight and inches this summer at the Lindsey Wilson College Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center.

The 34 area residents were part of the "Flab2Fab" Fitness Challenge, an eight-week program that motivated people to develop healthier lifestyles. Developed by LWC senior William Gates Jr., "Flab2Fab" included 34 participants who as a group lost a total of 370 pounds and 232 inches from May 21 to July 26 while working out at the Holloway Health & Wellness Center.

"Flab2Fab" was modeled on the popular TV reality show Biggest Loser. It included weekly weigh-ins, accountability partners, one-on-one attention, nutrition advice and group workouts.

Participants were pleased with the results.

"I can see and feel a big difference," said Amy Thompson-Wells of Columbia, an LWC employee who participated in the event.

Added Marilyn Radford of Columbia: "This is exactly what I needed to kick myself into gear."

Gates, who was an LWC recreation, tourism and sports management intern this summer, said the purpose of "Flab2Fab" was to establish solid foundations.

"This program has been about providing the tools to build a solid foundation for healthier lifestyles," he said. "The changes in attitudes, energy levels and physical appearances are so exciting."

More than 67 percent of Adair County's adult population is either overweight or obese, according to 2099 statistics from EpoDunk.com. That's why "Flab2Fab" was such a significant program, according to Holloway & Wellness Center Director Joel Peterson.

"This is a great accomplishment for Adair County -- I am thrilled with the effort of the participants, as well as with William Gates," Peterson said.

Gates also organized the "Couch-2-5K" event, held on July 23. Aimed to give people of all fitness levels motivation to stay active over the summer, the 5K race attracted 21 participants, 12 of whom participated in their first 5K.

Peterson is hopeful that the success of both programs will affect the Holloway Health & Wellness Center and Columbia-Adair County.

"These participants have taken hold of many of the lifestyle changes necessary not only to lose weight but keep it off," Peterson said. "We do hope to run more 'changing lifestyle' programs in the future."

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Click here to learn more about the Holloway Health & Wellness Center.