During a Thursday lunch hour at the CoxHealth Fitness Center at Cox North, Shana Krol (center, in white, above) and a team of exercise enthusiasts gather for a short, intense workout led by trainer Tony Stokes.
This day’s group workout is just the latest step in a mini-wellness revolution that Shana started in Patient Financial Services last year. During the 2009 Christmas season, she and several co-workers decided they didn’t want any part of the over-eating that can go along with the holidays.
“We just decided we’re not going to do this any more.”
Instead, she and her co-workers started their own weight-loss group. The team weighed in weekly and shared tips and support through a regular e-mail newsletter.
“This gives us accountability, you don’t want to be the one caught at the vending machine,” Shana says with a laugh. The idea quickly spread through the office and into other departments such as Accounting and the business office. Participants at Cox South also got in on the group, joining Shana’s e-mail list and weighing in on Tuesdays.
“I think other people saw me and said, ‘If a big girl can do it, I can do it, too,’” Shana says.
While many participants work on their own and weigh in each week, Shana and a core group work out daily during the lunch hour. They began by walking at the Drury University campus in good weather and climbing the stairs at the Medical Tower when the weather was bad. They soon moved to the fitness center, where more co-workers saw what they were doing and got involved.
The group does 14-week cycles of workouts and weigh-ins; whoever loses the most weight each cycle receives a gift basket, with
t-shirts and donated fitness-related items. They’re now in the midst of their third cycle, with 52 people participating.
“That group really shows what the motivation from one person can do,” says Tony, who leads one or two workouts each week at the Fitness Center. “She sends out a regular e-mail and keeps people weighing in each week. She’s motivated people to really change their lives.”
Those life changes are obvious when Shana rattles off the weight-loss successes of her co-workers: 41 pounds here, 23 pounds there. In total, the group lost 599 pounds in the first round, and more than 400 in the second.
Nathan Mattany was the biggest loser in the last cycle, shedding 50 pounds since he began working out in April.
“Shana just kept pestering me to join,” Nathan says. “I was 27 years old and 300 pounds, this has saved my life.” He joined the group soon after the birth of his daughter. “Heart disease runs in my family; I’ve gotta be here for her. Now, I’m down to the weight I was at when I was 15 years old.”
Billing specialist Darlene Kent says the group has helped her turn her health around. She had her left knee replaced and she was on track to have the right one done as well. Now, 40 pounds lighter, she’s been able to keep her right knee and get off of her diabetes medication.
“This has been life-changing for me,” she says.
Many participants say the group has been key in getting everyone in the gym and providing them the support to keep going.
“We have people at all different levels,” says Christie Donnelly of Patient Financial Services. “When we started this, the thought of me and a gym was out there, but when I started losing weight it got a lot easier.
“We all have times where we lose weight and where we gain weight, but we always support each other and get back on track. What will make you successful is to not stop.”
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