Stacy Hutto
Managing editor
For the second summer in a row, the True Blue Summer Countdown is in progress. The countdown is a “The Biggest Loser” type of program where faculty and staff who want to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle form teams.
According to Mary Diessner in the Office of the President, “The countdown was started through the Southeastern Organizational Leadership Development program to build teamwork on campus and help participants commit to getting healthier.”
The SOLD program was created to enhance the leadership skills of Southeastern faculty and staff. During the year there are many SOLD presentations on a variety of subjects from what to do if there is an armed intruder on campus to presentations on diversity.
According to Diessner, there have been two spring countdowns and one summer countdown. There have been a total of 140 participants with a collective weight loss of 985 pounds.
Diessner explained that during the spring members of the countdown are able to pick their own teams, but teams with members from different departments get extra points to encourage diversity. During the summer, teams are picked at random.
The purpose of the True Blue Countdown is to promote healthy living and to encourage participants to eat better and exercise. Flyers are sent out weekly to members of the countdown. The flyers have helpful information about different aspects of healthy living such as water intake, the power of a healthy mindset and the importance of eating enough fruits and vegetables,Summer according to Diessner.
Team members are required to weigh-in on a scale at the president’s office once a week and are only allowed to miss one week.
Prizes are awarded to first, second and third place teams. Prizes are also awarded for individual weight loss. Previous prizes have included SE lawn chairs; SE umbrellas and SE beach towels. The spring countdown lasts six weeks, with summer countdowns lasting eight weeks. The True Blue Summer Countdown 2013 started June 5. At the end of the eight weeks there will be an awards ceremony.