Sierra Grande staff enjoy ‘Weight-loss That Works’

Sierra Grande School District “Weight-loss That Works” participants celebrate their successes.

BLANCA — Sierra Grande School District offered a “Weight-loss That Works” class for staff, both present and past. It was coordinated by Sierra Grande School District’s Health & Wellness Coordinator DeAnn Arellano and the Colorado State University Extension office in Alamosa.

The class was a 15-week weight-loss class which began September 5, 2018 and ending December 19, 2018. The Costilla County Public Health Agency was gracious and offered participants blood draws for cholesterol, glucose, including weight, and blood pressure checks at the beginning and at the end of the 15 weeks to see the progress that was made.

The group made great progress! Fifteen participants joined and at the end of the 15 weeks, a combined total weight-loss of 176.3 pounds was achieved.

Each of the participants gained the knowledge on how to follow a low carbohydrate/high vegetable diet that provides a slow steady weight loss for a long-term lifestyle change. On the last day of the program the 15 participants enjoyed a healthy dinner from the recipes given out in the classes taught by Mary Ellen Fleming. A Certificate of Completion, and a Fitbit Charge 2 provided the Sierra Grande Comprehensive Health and Wellness Plan was awarded to each of the participants.

Class was taught by Mary Ellen Fleming, CSU Extension Office in Alamosa.