KOROR (Palau Horizon) – The Judicial Branch revealed the winners of its weight-loss program dubbed “Biggest Loser” on Wednesday at Sea Passion Hotel.
Linda Thomas and Clarinda Alexander were named Biggest Loser winner and runner-up, having lost a total of 17.5 lbs. and 13 lbs., respectively. Best Efforts awards were given to Maria Ulechong and Bailey Eberdong. All winners received cash prizes, gift certificates and other goodies.
In an effort to promote a healthy lifestyle in the Judiciary, Judge Kathleen Salii and other staff came up with the idea of the Biggest Loser program, emulating a US reality-TV show. But for the Judiciary, the goal is not so much about losing weight as about jumpstarting a healthy lifestyle.
A challenge was issued to the staff. A sign-up fee of $10 was required for the registration.The first weigh-in for the weight-loss program was on April 5, and the last weigh-in was on July 1. Participants were staff and office workers of the Clerk of Court, Marshalls, Property, Library, Chamber Security and the Judges.
Associate Justices Alexandra Foster, Lourdes Materne and Honora E.R. Rudimch also registered for the program, but after weighing in, it was found that they didn’t need to lose any more weight.
The Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Unit from the Ministry of Health helped the Judiciary with the program, facilitating the weigh-in and monitoring of the progress.
“We know what we’re supposed to do, we just need encouragement,” said Judge Salii during the presentation of the winners.
Judge Salii revealed that after the first weigh in, the participants started on several activities from April to July, which included Taebo and aerobics every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Civic Center Auditorium.
For outdoor activities, they had volleyball and swimming every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Meyuns Pool, Palasia, Long Island and T-Dock. They also had strength training three times a week.
According to Judge Salii, they did not force people to join the activities. They just provided a venue for them.
Many of the participants of the program also joined most of the marathons and walkathons that were held in Palau recently, such as the Red Cross 5- and 10-km walkathon, the PICRC Biodiversity Walkathon and the Etpison Marathon.
Nutrition-wise, they invited Tino Faatuuala from MOH to talk about proper and balanced diet.
For the Season 2 of the program, weigh in will be on August 12. NCD Unit will still work with Judiciary and will be providing a nutritionist.
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