Shrinking waists and filling food banks
Written by Aryn Hicks Editor-in-Chief | 
Michael Molter, the assistant dean for distance learning, the winner of the first ever Smallest Winner competition lost 20 pounds and was able to help his community. Through the competition
The Smallest Winner competition, started by the Methodist University Exercise Science Club, gives the Methodist University community the opportunity to change unhealthy lifestyle habits and lose weight. Students, faculty, and staff members learn positive eating habits and healthy exercising habits. There are two groups for the competition: the couple competition, where you and a partner can compete together, and a singles competition. The pairs compete against other pairs, while the individuals against other solo competitors. Participants compete with one another for prizes and self-improvement.
“The true motivation behind the competition should be learning how to change bad lifestyle choices [to] healthy ones, [and] to create a new and improved you,” said Morgan Hauck, a senior and the president of the Exercise Science Club.
As the competitors lose weight in order to win prizes and improve their lifestyles and habits, local food banks benefit from the competition. As participants lose weight, the Exercise Science club will pledge 11 cent for every pound lost to the Pound for Pound Challenge, made popular by the television show The Biggest Loser. The Pound for Pound Challenge uses the money pledged through the weight loss to donate food to the less fortunate in the community.
“I think that some participants may use the charity aspect of the competition as extra motivation to lose weight,” said Dr. Astrid Mel, faculty advisor for the Exercise Science Club. “Not only would they help themselves but also help others.”
Hauck, a senior exercise science major, is very optimistic about the competition’s turn out. She looks forward to helping others improve their lifestyles.
“The competition is a great way for the MU community to learn to live a healthier lifestyle,” said Hauck. “The students that put on the competition are here for [the participants] every step of the way. And we love what we do!”
The Exercise Science Club began the Smallest Winner competition in March 2010. During its pilot year, 20 people participated, including students, faculty and staff. In six weeks, the participants lost about 100 pounds. This year, the competition will last for 10 weeks to increase participation and weight loss.
Molter, who joined the competition last year to improve his lifestyles and health, plans on rejoining the competition again.
“I am hoping this year to be as successful and to have the motivation to keep going,” said Molter. “My advice would be not to try to do too much. If you make yourself too miserable, you won't continue.”
The competition will also teach club members valuable skills needed in their profession. Some of the skills include organizational skills, such as planning and marketing, team work, delegation, cooperation and planning. Students also learn more practical skills, including designing nutrition and exercise information for the contestants.
“This competition provides Club members the opportunity to give back to MU by putting into practice the many skills they have acquired in the classroom,” said Mel.
The official competition begins when the contestant does the first weigh in. Registration for competition has ended; however, MU community members may still participate in the Pound for Pound Challenge, free of charge.
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