A recent 10-week health initiative at Des Moines University was a huge success. “Dump Your Plump” encouraged five workouts a week and asked participants to set a weight loss or maintenance goal. Twenty-three teams of six to 10 people participated and lost a grand total of 996.2 pounds.
“There isn’t another group in Des Moines more appropriate to take the lead on this health movement,” said Tim Lane from the Iowa Department of Public Health during his keynote at the Dump Your Plump (DYP) finale celebration.
To further round out the program’s success, participants were asked to bring non-perishable food items throughout the 10 weeks as part of an on-going relationship with the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) food pantries. The “Your Loss is Someone Else’s Gain” food drive culminated at the DYP finale with 1182 food and personal care items.
“We wanted to encourage an overall healthful attitude and giving to others fit right in as a mental and spiritual wellness component,” explained Shelby Herrick, DYP organizer.
To learn more about the DMARC food pantries, visit www.dmreligious.org.
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