Washington’s Department of Corrections Keeps Up Its Health Kick: Goal Getters 2007

With the success of last year’s “Biggest Loser” campaign fresh in their minds, Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) employees at Monroe Correctional Complex (MCC) were eager to renew and pursue their wellness resolution goals for the New Year. Occupational Nurse Mary Blanchard, Staff Resource Center Coordinator Cathy O’Bryan and Secretary Admin Susan Plouff were up for the task and organized the new campaign.

Because the 2007 activity would include not only weight loss, but also increased physical activity, inches lost and blood pressure reduction, a new name was needed for this year’s competition. Participants brainstormed and came up with 49 suggestions. A vote narrowed the names to six, and “Goal Getters” was the top choice. The winning name was submitted by Lt. Teresa Cohn, and for her suggestion, she won a lunch (healthy, of course) with MCC Superintendent Kenneth Quinn.

A total of 111 employees participated in the challenge, with Washington State Reformatory, Special Offenders Unit, Twin Rivers Unit and Minimum Security Unit represented.

During the challenge, measurements were taken every two to three weeks for 20 weeks. By the end of the competition, a total of 287.2 pounds were lost facility wide. Significant changes were seen in blood pressure measurements over the course of the competition. At the start, blood pressure averaged 127/81 (range from 160/104 to 92/60). At the end of the activity, the average was reduced to 124/79. There was also a drop in average BMI from 34.2 (beginning range 49.9 to 21.8) to 33.7.

Here’s an introduction to this year’s winners—and how they did it.

Correctional Officer Robert Williams

The top Goal Getter was Monroe’s Minimum Security Unit’s Correctional Officer Robert Williams, with a 30.5 pound weight loss. CO Williams reported his motivation was the desire to be healthy for his family.

What he found effective in achieving his weight goal was counting his caloric intake, and increasing his physical activity by running four times a week and biking three times a week. He has noticed since the weight loss he has had a lot more energy, a better mood and a sense of well-being. He also says since developing healthier eating habits he craves healthier foods.

CO Williams thinks that a motivator for staff to increase their exercise would a DOC 5K run or walk event, charging a small fee to be donated to charity. Williams says, “I was hooked the first time I ran for charity and it has inspired me to keep running.”

Correctional Officer Lonnie Thomas

Correctional Officer Lonnie Thomas also found the desire to be healthy for his family was a motivator in his 21.5 pound weight loss.

“I just want to be around for my kids and wife for as long as possible, and if I didn’t do something to stop my weight gain, I would be cutting my life short,” he says.

A main strategy for weight loss included portion control, “So many of us growing up were raised in families where you finish everything on your plate, so if I put less on my plate, then I would eat less.”

He also drinks lots more water and parks further away from his destination. He found the two hardest changes were counting calories and eliminating sugary soda. Since the weight loss, CO Thomas notices he has more energy and feels better both mentally and physically.

Thomas says, “The hard part is starting, but once you get going then it gets so easy and you get motivated to keep going.” He has enjoyed the camaraderie of this activity at work: “It helps when you have a group of people going something like this, and when it becomes competitive, you try that much harder.”

Correctional Officer Ryan Smith

CO Ryan Smith was close behind with his 20 pounds weight loss. “Exercising four to five times a week and watching what I eat” is what worked in Smith’s efforts. “Since I have lost weight I don’t get winded easily any more,” Smith says. “I support this program 100% in the workplace because I know that I can physically do my job and help others better throughout my day because of it.”

MCC Goal Getters increased their exercise levels and as a result, lost inches. Participants starting riding their bikes to work, took up roller skating, joined athletic facilities and built exercise into their workday. Pedometers were distributed to challenge individuals to measure their steps per day. Increased stair use, walking at lunch and parking cars in the far areas of the parking lot helped increase steps (and miles) per day.

At the end of their Goal Getters competition, MCC, with over 36,000 miles recorded, ranked 5th out of all governmental agencies in the Healthiest State Campaign’s 2007 Challenge. Twin Rivers Unit team, consisting of seven members, contributed nearly 12,000 miles during the course of the activity.

Participants all remain enthusiastic, and are forming teams for the Governor’s Health Bowl starting September 18, 2007.

Incentives for Goal Getters 2007 were provided by Group Health Cooperative, Regence Blue Shield, and the Washington Health Foundation.

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