The City of New Westminster wants residents to get moving because it recognizes there's more to good health than losing weight.
Building on the success of last year's Biggest Loser challenge, the city is embarking on a new initiative - the Biggest Mover. Rather than challenging residents to lose weight, the new program wants them to consider their activity levels.
"The objective of the program is to have people become aware of how active they actually are, and to perhaps increase that," said Sandy Earle, the city's active communities programmer. "Tracking activity is a huge motivator and really makes people aware of how much or how little they actually are doing."
While there is a weight-loss component available to those who want to drop a few pounds, the emphasis in the Biggest Mover challenge is increasing activity. People track their activities to make themselves aware of their activity levels.
"We though it would be really great to go from the Biggest Loser to something that is more activity-based," Earle said. "Everybody can benefit from this program."
When people register for the 12-week, free program, they receive a passport/booklet in which they will track their activity.
The challenge runs from Feb. 5 until April 28, during which time participants keep track of anything they do that is active. For every 30 minutes of activity they do, people will earn one point.
Like the Biggest Loser challenge, participants will be eligible for some draw prizes from sponsors. At the end of the challenge, participants will be entered into draws depending on their final point totals.
Participants can earn extra points through weekly challenges, which would include activities like drinking water, checking blood pressure and eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
"That is where we are tying in a bit of the education," Earle explained. "Each week has a specific challenge."
According to Earle, the Biggest Mover's goals are based on recommendations in Canada's Physical Activity guide.
While the Biggest Loser targeted residents who wanted to lose weight, the Biggest Mover hopes to attract folks who want to live a more active, healthier lifestyle - whether they're currently sedentary or just want to increase their activity levels.
"I am really, really excited about it," Earle said. "I am hoping it will appeal to a really broad range of people."
Royal City resident Victor Jensen was the Biggest Loser in last year's program, dropping 64.4 pounds during the 12-week challenge. That weight loss helped Jensen fend off future health problems; having already had a couple of knee surgeries, his doctor warned him that he wouldn't be able to walk in the future if he didn't lose weight.
Following the Biggest Loser challenge, Jensen lost an additional 20 pounds - which he put back on over the winter and Christmas holidays. He's hopeful the Biggest Mover will help him drop those unwanted pounds and help him prepare for the Sun Run.
Jensen encourages residents to get involved in the challenge, having seen the benefits of the city's Biggest Loser challenge.
For more information about the Bigger Mover challenge, visit www.newwestpcr.ca or drop by Centennial Community Centre in Queensborough or Century House.
