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Free Help Managing Weight Over Holidays

'Maintain Don't Gain' program starts Nov. 14 and runs to Jan. 6

Victoria Grice makes notes in her food journal. She uses the journal to better track the food she eats and calories. Photo by Bryan Roth.
Victoria Grice makes notes in her food journal. She uses the journal to better track the food she eats and calories. Photo by Bryan Roth.

Victoria Grice pulled off quite a feat last year: She lost 17 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

A program coordinator in the Duke Center for International Development, Grice participated in Maintain Don't Gain, a free, eight week, self-directed program designed to help individuals maintain or lose weight during the holiday season. 

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"It's beneficial because it keeps you accountable for what you do and eat," said Grice, who also used Maintain Don't Gain to help restart a food journal. "Having that reminder to track my weight and get activity helped me to keep thinking about whether I was meeting my goals."

Organized by LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee wellness program, Maintain Don't Gain sends participants weekly emails with healthy recipes, encouraging messages and tips and strategies for exercise, stress management and adopting or maintaining healthy behaviors. This year's program runs Nov. 14 to Jan. 6.

Duke faculty and staff can sign up now for Maintain Don't Gain to automatically start receiving health-related emails. Participants weigh themselves each week during the program and report progress online by 5 p.m. every Friday. Duke's online eHealth platform is also available to track progress.

In addition to help in maintaining or losing weight, participants can also receive up to 110 LIVE FOR LIFE dollars, which is fake money to spend on items like workout clothing and iPods at the LIVE FOR LIFE store. Employees in Maintain Don't Gain receive 50 LIVE FOR LIFE dollars by registering and completing the first four weeks of the program, another 50 by completing the last four weeks of the program and 10 LIVE FOR LIFE dollars by maintaining weight during the program.

"With so many big meals and tempting sweets, it's not easy to stay on track with our health goals during the holiday season," said Liz Grabosky, fitness program manager for LIVE FOR LIFE. "Our support system of weekly emails and helpful tips make it easier for faculty and staff because there's a built-in support network for them."

Having that kind of backup is why Elizabeth Amend will be signing up for this year's Maintain Don't Gain program. Amend said she likes the motivation the program provides for her.

"It's one thing to tell yourself you'll be mindful of eating habits, but the program's reinforcement is a big help," said Amend, a staff assistant in the Office for Institutional Equity. "I'm making a commitment to the program and myself, which gives me the encouragement I need."

 

Click here to find tips from Working@Duke's "Survival Guide To Holiday Eating."