A team of UM employees has lost 139 pounds and more than 75 inches after participating in a three-month weight-loss challenge.<\/p>\n
Equipped with free memberships to the Turner Center and access to nutrition counseling and other resources, 16 Physical Plant staff members spent the summer completing the Mississippi State Department of Health\u2019s Healthiest Loser Challenge<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201c[The program] really helped me with my portions,\u201d said Lee Pinkston, a UM instrumentation and controls technician who lost 24 pounds during the challenge. \u201cI didn\u2019t change what I ate so much \u2014 just my portions.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to his weight loss, Pinkston\u2019s blood pressure dropped from 138\/98 to 105\/67.<\/p>\n Raymus Purnell, carpentry supervisor, said that he has continued with the healthy habits he gained over the summer and now walks three miles a day.<\/p>\n \u201cThe main reason I did the program was to get myself back in shape, to eat better and to enjoy life more,\u201d Purnell said.<\/p>\n While the summer challenge has ended, UM is offering multiple opportunities for faculty\/staff to get healthier this fall.<\/p>\n