Some Jefferson County employees are finding it easier to leave food on their plates and nosh a bit more slowly at social functions.
During a 10-week period, 30 employees lost a total of 328 pounds and 102 waistline inches, said Cary Erickson, director of human resources and risk management.
All of those pounds were dropped, according to Erickson, through a program called Naturally Slim, which is provided as part of county employees' health benefit package.
The three "biggest losers" report higher energy levels, greater mobility and decreased cholesterol and blood pressure as well as decreasing risk for diabetes and other health problems.
None of them minded their new, trimmer profiles either.
Capt. Mike Kirkpatrick of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office topped the list, dropping 50 pounds in about 2 months. He said that the most challenging thing was changing old habits and mindsets.
"I was always taught to clean your plate - that it's a sin to waste food," he said.
Read more in Thursday's Beaumont Enterprise.
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County employees start weight loss competition, shed 113 pounds
