Chamber members vie to be big losers
No one would ever accuse members of the Glendale Heights Chamber of Commerce of being big losers. But that is exactly what several of them are hoping for in the weeks ahead.
Nearly a dozen chamber members have already signed up for the chamber's Biggest Loser Contest, and organizers are hoping to grow that number to 20.
Contest proceeds will go toward the chamber's "Business Crusade to Fight Youth Obesity," which will benefit all 10 Glendale Heights elementary schools. Each contestant will be asked to raise at least $250 through individual or business sponsorship by Friday.
The event will kick off with a Jan. 2 weigh-in and run through March 31. Chamber members Advantage Chiropractic, Integrated Health Solutions and Cardinal Fitness have teamed up to organize the program.
Lisa Harris, owner of Integrated Health Solutions, has been a chamber member for one year and believes she has a responsibility to support Glendale Heights and to lead by example.
"We were trying to figure out a way to bring the whole town together as a community," Harris said. "We're always trying to improve the community, or to help or sponsor or do something as a business. So what we did is come up with this contest."
The contest is a win-win proposition for the participants and local schools. Participants will hopefully achieve their personal weight loss goal, while Glendale Heights schools will receive support for their physical education and health programs before, during and after school.
Currently, only one elementary school offers daily after-school activities.
"Statistically, they're saying more and more children are becoming obese and that's why they're having diabetes, heart problems and high blood pressure," Harris said. "I don't think a lot of parents realize it's because of their lifestyles."
According to the Mayo Clinic, the incidence of childhood obesity is rapidly rising worldwide and is especially evident in industrialized nations. The annual health and nutrition survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about one-third of U.S. children are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.
The schools will share equally through the "Business Crusade to Fight Youth Obesity" campaign, according to Harris, who, as PTO president at Glenhill Elementary School, is well aware of the potential problems facing today's children.
The contest participant with the greatest weight loss percentage will win a free one-year membership to Cardinal Fitness in Glendale Heights.
During the three months of the contest, each participant will benefit from access to Cardinal Fitness and personal trainers. They will be required to work out at least three days each week at the facility.
Dr. Jimmy Johnson of Advantage Chiropractic will provide sports medicine and injury prevention tips, while Linda Cook of Integrated Health Solutions will address the nutritional needs. Contestants will be required to meet with a nutritional counselor once a week and keep a meal log.
In addition to the three-month Biggest Loser contest, the GHCC is planning a 5K walk/run in April.
"The 5K run will be led by the business leaders who were in the Biggest Loser contest," Harris said.
"The schools are already in on this, and the kids will have an opportunity to raise $50 to do the walk with the Biggest Loser contestants. We're going to add all the money and divide that between the schools."
The schools will be able to use that money for before- and after-school programs, equipment or whatever they deem necessary to help with the "Business Crusade to Fight Youth Obesity."
"We're going to leave that up to the schools at this point," Harris said. "This is our first year we're doing this. It's really up to the schools, but we're hoping we are funding the physical education and health programs before, during and after school. Any of those would be fine."
For details, call (630) 975-5472 or visit www.ghccbiggestloser.com. To reach the Glendale Heights Chamber of Commerce, call (630) 545-1099.