The community of Flying Dust First Nation is being challenged to a weight loss competition following the holiday break. (Elliott Knopp/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Weight Loss Challenge

Flying Dust Health launches community-wide weight loss challenge

Jan 13, 2022 | 4:11 PM

An annual community health initiative has returned to Flying Dust First Nation at a time when many people are looking to pick up healthy lifestyle habits.

On Monday, the health team launched its weight loss challenge which is set to run for eight weeks up until Mar. 7. During this period, participants will be expected to engage in regular workouts, eat healthier and track their progress.

The initial weigh-ins were held on Tuesday and Wednesday, and Community Health Representative Louise Merasty said she is already seeing groups and individuals taking their first steps toward their goal.

“We have a lot of ladies at our office that are in work out groups,” she shared.

“They go to their spin classes, the gym, and they show the young people that they can go exercise, be healthy and eat right.”

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Prizes are available for teams and individuals with the most significant weight loss totals. The top three teams will be awarded and the individual with the single largest loss will also take home the cash incentive.

Merasty explained the motivation that comes with the contest has proven to be a powerful source of inspiration for many in the community.

“You need that push sometimes when you need to be healthy and eating right, and the challenge is a good way to do it,” she said.

“It’s good for the community to exercise, eat healthy and try to lose the extra pounds that might have been added during the holidays.”

She added once the eight-week period has run its course and the program has concluded, she’s noticed some individuals and groups have continued to follow their new healthy lifestyle habits.

This is a result that Merasty says she hopes to see with everyone who participated in the contest.

“First Nations people have such high rates of diabetes. I, myself, found out that when you start to lose weight and live healthy, your diabetes problems decrease. I hope that they can start feeling better.”

Merasty added she is hopeful a seniors health program will be introduced once the conditions with the current public health concerns have eased.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp