It is no secret the weight-loss industry is BIG business. When consumers are offered an opportunity to lose 5 pounds in a week or trim three inches off their waist line in two weeks they will drive many miles, pay a costly fee to join, and purchase special food to help them shed unwanted pounds. Generally, the more powerful the gimmick offer is and the less effort it requires the greater the attraction. When will we ever learn that whatever we put in is in direct portion to what we achieve? Little effort or commitment usually yields small results that oftentimes are short lived.

NC Cooperative Extension, an educational arm of NC State and NC A&T University is committed to providing educational programs and activities that empower individuals with knowledge and tools to make sound decisions to change or improve their lifestyle. Wayne Gets Fit! is an example of such a program. This comprehensive nutrition and wellness program is based on the premise that increasing personal fitness, and becoming healthier, is critical to achieving a longer and better quality of life. Seventy participants received motivation, encouragement, support, and tools to facilitate lifestyle changes.

The program began shortly after the New Year, drawing in those individuals that were already making changes but wanted a dynamic that would help encourage success. Unlike programs in the past, this was a goal-oriented, not weight loss-oriented setting. There were no weigh-ins, no tape measurers. In fact, participants were not allowed to set a weight-loss goal. Having taught weight management programs for over 15 years, I have seen individuals allow the scales to be the only marker of success. In actuality, if one increases physical activity, consume a healthy diet or practice stress management techniques ultimately they will loose weight. The true marker of success was if a person met their individual goal or not, leaving the successes to be as individual as the participants. Though, at times, it was harder to stick with a healthy lifestyle than to just lose a little weight, the lessons learned were life lessons. 75% of the participants set physical activity goals and 25% set healthy eating goals.

Participants gained knowledge about eating, exercising, stress relief, recovering after a lapse in healthy living, and balancing their lives to include new habits. Some weeks the sessions were held at Cooperative Extension's center, and some weeks the sessions were mailed to participants homes and they were able to apply the new knowledge on spot. Supplemental information and hand-outs were provided so that no one was ever short in knowledge.

At the end of the program there was a graduation ceremony, complete with a heart healthy dinner and awards. All participants were recognized for completing the program, and those who met their goals were given an even split of the money paid into the kitty. As the instructor, it is always gratifying to see consumers persevere to achieve their goals. I am humbled to be in a position to impact your lives in a positive manner and serve you the citizens of Wayne County .

Over the next month you will meet some of the program participants who will be sharing their stories of victory. We hope their stories will inspire you and give you the confidence that you too can do it! Ultimately, you must take responsibility for your own health. One must always keep health at the forefront and realize that ever LITTLE effort leads to victory.

Thoughts to Ponder:

"People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success."

Norman Vincent Peale

When the cost of doing nothing becomes grater than the cost of doing something, you will make a change! NC Cooperative Extension

Christine Smith is an Extension Agent in the department of Family & Consumer Sciences with NC Cooperative Extension, NCSU Information on other services available can be found online at http://wayne.ces.ncsu.edu/