BONTOC, Mountain Province – Forty teams have committed to being advocates of a healthy lifestyle as they joined the weight loss challenge of this capital town, dubbed “ Chagsen Challenge Season 3”.
Following the positive response from the public with the conduct of two consecutive weight loss challenges and their determination to continue living a healthy lifestyle, the Bontoc municipal government decided to push through with the third edition.
According to Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Venous Faith Cofulan, the challenge is open to everyone who is 18 years old and above. A minimum of five members should be in one team and substitution of team members will not be allowed.
The identification of winners in the competition will be the highest average loss of the team. The weight loss challenge started on August 9, 2021. The weight monitoring will be every two months, and in January 2022 will be the final weigh-in. If one of the members of the team fails to weigh in during the monitoring and final weigh-in, the team will be categorized as not finished.
The weight loss challenge program of the municipal government was introduced in 2019 by Sangguniang Bayan member Jerome Tudlong, Jr., who chairs the Committee on Health and Sanitation in collaboration with the Municipal Health Office. It aims to promote health and wellness among the employees of the municipal government and the public. Also, the program is for the public to lose unwanted and unnecessary weight through natural means of proper food intake and regular exercise.
In an interview, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey is delighted with the number of participants who registered for the program.
Odsey added that this program does not only promote regular exercise but also advocates eating a well- balanced and nutritious food. He added that this includes limiting the intake of sugary, salty, and fatty food.
Meanwhile, Tudlong joined Mayor Odsey in expressing his happiness for the positive response from the public towards healthy living.
Tudlong shared the statement of health officials on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. He relayed that healthy habits prevent certain health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
For the past two consecutive years, the weight loss challenge winners received cash prizes. More than the cash prizes, the program not only transformed participants’ bodies but their lifestyle habits too. By Alpine L. Killa
