About the Pound Plunge Heartland Health’s Wellness Connections and K-JO 105.5 have teamed up again this year for an event that is not only about losing weight, but also improving your health. Pound Plunge began as a community partnership between Heartland Health and K-JO 105.5. The two joined together to develop a fun event that would bring the community together and promote healthy lifestyles. This 12-week weight-loss competition challenges teams of four to adopt a healthy lifestyle and shrink their waistlines in the process. Teams register online, attend a Kick-Off event, weekly weigh-ins and Fitness sessions while competing for great prizes. In the first year, 2006, we saw 1,200 people take the plunge and participation has increased to include 1,500+ in the years following. To date, Pound Plunge participants have lost nearly 30,000 pounds! “We wanted to bring a fun and competitive challenge to the community to get people thinking about lifestyles and habits,” explains Kim McManus, Heartland’s Wellness Connections. “This is a jumping off point for people to realize that adopting a healthy lifestyle is a community effort and how much we need the support of our family and friends when making these changes to our lives. It also shows us that improving our own health helps our community as a whole and helps control health-care costs. We are very fortunate to have a close-knit community like St. Joe where we can celebrate our successes together.” We hope you will take this experience and learn to “live the plunge” beyond this event. It’s about changing habits and learning new methods that will help you work toward changing your lifestyle and eventually your quality of life. Your participation is important to building a healthier St. Joe. You have our support and cheers as you Take the Plunge! Pound Plunge Personalities The Adventures of Gregg and BJ Gregg Lynn Gregg has been an on–air personality at K–JO for more than 12 years, the last eight waking up St. Joe from 5 – 10 a.m. with The Adventures of Gregg and BJ. One of the advantages of being a morning disc jockey is FREE DONUTS! The donuts took their toll as Gregg’s weight topped out at more than 220 pounds! Gregg quit smoking, started exercising and by the end of the 2006 Pound Plunge lost an astonishing 50 pounds. He now exercises daily and is an avid runner. Gregg has completed two Ultra–Marathons, a 50 kilometer race (31 miles) and a 50–mile race. “Whether you think that you can, or you can’t, you are usually right.” — Henry Ford BJ Scott BJ Scott has been a part of K–JO 105.5 for nearly 20 years and has been waking you up for 17 of those years in the early morning. He has been married to his very patient wife, Kimberly, for 25 years, and they have three children and a new grandson. Along with radio, BJ is a successful and passionate entrepreneur. He is involved in his community and holds a special place in his heart for children and volunteers his time with organizations such as Camp Quality, a camp for kids with cancer, and the Noyes Home. Physician Sponsors (add Dr. Nellestein, I’ve also sent a call–out to other heart doctors, I’ll let you know) Francisco Lammoglia, MD The shy and reserved, Francisco Lammoglia, MD, a cardiologist with Heartland Cardiovascular Consultants, is a physician sponsor for this year’s Pound Plunge. “In 2006, I dropped about 24 pounds by exercising more and changing the way I think about food. I want to share my enthusiasm for good health with this year’s participants!” Dr. Lammoglia works to make St. Joseph hearts healthier with partners Mohan Hindupur, MD, and Ricardo Ramos, MD, who will co–sponsor this year’s Heart Walk, Robert Grant, DO, Christine Rattin, DO and Arvind Sharma, MD. Dr. Lammoglia is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine (Go, Jayhawks!) and has practiced medicine in St. Joseph for nearly two decades. Dr. Lammoglia and his wife, Rosie, have four children. Jane Schwabe, MD Heart surgeon, Jane Schwabe, credits the 2006 Pound Plunge for her success in losing 23 pounds. “My team was motivated and it kept me going!” This year, Dr. Schwabe will use her role as a physician sponsor of Pound Plunge Fourths to help others learn to live a healthy and productive life. “The small changes people make can significantly affect their health. The Pound Plunge is an excellent place to start on the road to wellness.” Dr. Schwabe is in practice at Heartland Cardiothoracic Surgery with Michael Nellestein, MD, sponsor of the St. Joseph Parkway Run/Walk, and Robert Zink, MD. Dr. Schwabe is also the six–year physician sponsor for the annual Women’s Wellness Initiative. Dr. Schwabe, a graduate of Creighton University Medical School, and her husband, Dan, have six children. Wellness Team Kim McManus, Heartland Health’s Wellness Connections Team Leader Kim McManus began her Wellness journey as a nurse after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Missouri Western State University. Joining the Heartland team in 1984, Kim spent 12 years as a Cardiac/Med/Surg nurse, five years in Case Management and has been with Wellness Connections for the past five years. She is also certified in lifestyle coaching by the Cooper Clinic. As the team leader for Wellness Connections, Kim develops, implements and evaluates all programs within the department. An active community member, Kim gives of her time to the United Way, the St. Joe Safety Council, Women’s Wellness Initiative, Corporate Challenge and American Heart Walk. “We are responsible for helping people have fun while becoming healthier!” Dean Mausolf, Wellness Specialist With a strong desire to work with people and have a positive impact on their overall health and well-being, Dean Mausolf began his wellness journey in Tulsa, Oklahoma, earning his Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Oral Roberts University. From there, he went on to earn a Masters of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Rhode Island in Kingston. Dean has more than 22 years of experience in the wellness field. He has worked in cardiac rehabilitation, tobacco cessation, high-risk obesity, occupational medicine, fitness center management and corporate wellness. A Heartland team member since November 1996, Dean is dedicated to educating Heartland employees about overall health and helping them make positive lifestyle changes. “Daily healthy living is what it takes to be and remain healthy.” Laura De Kraai, Wellness Specialist Wanting a career where she could help people change their lives, Laura De Kraai focuses on improving people’s health through exercise and daily activity. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Missouri Western State University and has accrued nine years of experience in fitness and wellness programs. Five of those nine years have been with Heartland, helping employees improve their health. Laura offers education and insight into positive lifestyle changes and through Community Health Plan works with area companies to improve the health of the community. “We need to set examples for our children so they start on the right path toward a healthier tomorrow.” Jessica Hagey, Registered Dietitian Growing up as the oldest of five children, Jessica Hagey watched her mother make time for exercise even though she was very busy with her active children. Eating healthy was also a priority in her family. This spurred an interest in Jessica about how eating healthy and exercise can scientifically help the body. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition/Dietetics from the University of Missouri at Columbia, Missouri. Before accepting her current position as wellness dietitian for Wellness Connections, Jessica began her Heartland career as a clinical dietitian in 2001. Along with extensive education and experience in her field, she has earned her Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management and Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management. “I consider it a gift to get to provide education and ignite the will in someone to do something for themselves to improve their health.” Helen Caton, Fitness Specialist With more than 22 years in health and fitness, Helen Caton is a skilled fitness specialist and understands the barriers that people face when beginning a workout routine. Helen earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Mo. She has been an employee at Heartland since September 2005. As a fitness specialist, Helen instructs and supervises members on proper use of equipment, develops and teaches group exercise programs, helps with education and off–site classes, maintains a clean and safe environment, individualizes personal fitness training, develops retention programs, maintains records and reports and takes part in community events. “Exercise and eating right are not punishment for previous lifestyle choices … they are ways you are taking care of yourself.” Brian Hodge, Fitness Specialist Earning his Bachelor of Science in Corporate Fitness at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Mo., Brian’s main goal is to help people improve their health by teaching them the importance of an active lifestyle. Brian began his career as an intern at Whiteman Air Force Base, where he gained valuable experience as a fitness specialist. He accepted the fitness specialist position at Heartland Health in August 2005. Orienting and assisting members in Heartland’s Wellness Center is only part of Brian’s job, he is also a personal trainer, runs database reports, teaches a variety of fitness classes and maintains the state-of-the-art equipment. “I see the community as a whole starting to take charge of their health and doing something about it.” Kick-Off Event (Must register online and attend Kick-Off) Tuesday, January 13 6 a.m. – Noon 2 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Weekly Weigh-Ins Remember, you can only miss two weigh-ins during the 12-week challenge to remain eligible for prizes. If you miss more than two weigh-ins, you can still participate in the Pound Plunge, you will just not be eligible for prizes. WEEK 1 Kick-Off (Must register online and attend Kick-Off) Tuesday, January 13 6 a.m. – Noon 2 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center WEEK 2 Tuesday, January 20 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, January 21 7 – 9 a.m. Heartland Regional Medical Center (HRMC), East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor WEEK 3 Tuesday, January 27 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, January 28 7 – 9 a.m. HRMC, East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor WEEK 4 Tuesday, February 3 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, February 4 7 – 9 a.m. HRMC, East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor WEEK 5 Tuesday, February 10 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, February 11 7 – 9 a.m. HRMC, East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor WEEK 6 Tuesday, February 17 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, February 18 7 – 9 a.m. HRMC, East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor WEEK 7 Tuesday, February 24 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, February 25 7 – 9 a.m. HRMC, East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor WEEK 8 Tuesday, March 3 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, March 4 7 – 9 a.m. HRMC, East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor WEEK 9 Tuesday, March 10 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, March 11 7 – 9 a.m. HRMC, East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor WEEK 10 Tuesday, March 17 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, March 18 7 – 9 a.m. HRMC, East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor WEEK 11 Tuesday, March 24 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, March 25 7 – 9 a.m. HRMC, East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor WEEK 12 Tuesday, March 31 5 – 8 p.m. East Hills Shopping Center Wednesday, April 1 7 – 9 a.m. HRMC, East Wing, Wellness Center on the 5th Floor Weekly Fitness Opportunities Need Dates, Times and Locations Pound Plunge Finale Party Weekly Prizes (I have a conference call scheduled with K-Jo to discuss) Need prize list. Grand Prizes Need prize list. 1st place – All inclusive “bikini” 3–day vacation for each winning team member and a guest, plus $800 spending money ($200 each) 2nd place – $800 ($200 each) 3rd place - $600 ($150 each) 4th place - $400 ($100 each) 5th place - $200 ($50 each) Top woman – $200 Top man – $200 Most spirit (team) – $600 ($150 each) Most spirit (individual) – $150 Discussion Board Will there be content or will it go directly to the discussion board?