Milk Group Comes to Town to Urge Healthy Weight Loss

csimmons@wvgazette.com

Lose weight by eating healthy, exercising regularly and drinking milk, is the message spread by the 2005 Great American Weight Loss Challenge.

Traveling across the country to 75 cities, the campaign encourages Americans to lose weight in a healthy way by following a 12-week plan centered on drinking milk.

"We’re here to encourage Charleston residents to turn their scales in favor of milk," said Vickie Dallas, Got Milk spokeswoman.

Sponsored by the Milk Processor Education Program, the campaign kicked off its Charleston festivities Thursday in the Charleston Town Center, where people could get a free health assessment, speak with a registered dietitian about weight-loss strategies, get exercise tips from representatives from the fitness center Curves, sample free milk and walk away with a photo of themselves with a milk mustache.

The event is also taking place 5 to 7 p.m. today at Curves at Riverwalk Plaza and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Southridge Wal- Mart.

During the events, people also have the opportunity to sign up for the Great American Weight Loss Challenge. The online program provides food journals and other tools to help in weight loss management, Dallas said.

"It lets them see how they can use milk to lose weight," Dallas said. "Most people think you just have to drink it straight. But you can use it for cereal, smoothies, soup and your morning coffee."

Registered dietitian Vanessa Miles, who provided dietary advice during the Thursday event, said studies show that drinking reduced- fat milk helps people lose more weight when they are exercising right and eating healthy foods.

"People mistakenly cut out milk when they are losing weight," Miles said. "I think its important to understand that as part of a reduced-calorie diet, drinking 24 ounces of milk in 24 hours can help reduce your weight."

The campaign is isn’t just a personal challenge. It’s offering the city with the highest participation – measured as registered members per capita – the grand prize of $25,000 for health-related improvements in the city area.

Dallas said hundreds of Charleston residents have already signed up for the challenge online and more than 50 signed up at the Thursday event.

"They’ve really embraced the program," she said. "We’ve given away a lot of milk."

To contact staff writer Christine Simmons use e-mail or call 348- 5100.