Tulsa World: And the losers shall be winners

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And the losers shall be winners

All Souls Unitarian Church member Ros Elder and the Rev. Tamara Lebak (right) speak Sunday at the church about the Pound for Pound Challenge, a program in which people try to lose weight and donate to the local food bank. SHANE BEVEL/Tulsa World

By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer
Published: 1/5/2009 2:22 AM
Last Modified: 1/5/2009 3:25 AM

There will be some real losers at All Souls Unitarian Church this year.

That's the hope of Associate Minister Tamara Lebak, who kicked off a program Sunday to encourage church members to lose weight and support the Tulsa food bank.

"The issue is justice, taken from the story of the good Samaritan," Lebak said, "how to take care of ourselves, and our neighbor."

Lebak said that 22 percent of Oklahoma children live in "food-insecure" households, even though most of them have at least one family member who is employed.

She also said 59 percent of Oklahoma adults are overweight, one of the nation's highest obesity rates.

Preaching from the pulpit Sunday, Lebak challenged All Souls members to sign up for the Pound for Pound Challenge, sponsored by the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, Feeding America, General Mills, "The Biggest Loser" and the YMCA of Greater Tulsa.

Participants pledge to lose a certain amount of weight by May 4, and General Mills agrees to pay $1 to the local food bank for each pound lost. In addition to the national General Mills signup, All Souls will sign up people for the church program.

"I'm a firm believer that we need one another in order to accomplish our goals," Lebak said.

Weigh-ins at the church will help keep people accountable and motivated, she said.

Participants are free to select their own weight-loss program, she said, but everyone knows what that means: "eat less and exercise more."

After services Sunday, parish nurse Sally Pearcy was busy weighing in participants in the church fellowship hall.

"I think it's fabulous," she said. "Participants are not only doing good for themselves, but for other people. What better combination to have than that."

A parish nurse will weigh participants before Wednesday services. Weights will not be made public.

On Sunday, May 3, the final weigh-in will be held at the church, and the biggest loser among the staff, and also among members, will be recognized.

Lebak said that when she came to All Souls, she had just lost 60 pounds and was in the best shape of her life. "But "hundreds of delicious potluck dinners later, I have gained back nearly 35 pounds of it."

She will pledge to lose 24 pounds during the program. In addition to the General Mills donation, she will give an additional $1 to the food bank per pound lost. She also will give $1 to the food bank for any pound that she gains at the weekly weigh-ins.

And she plans to encourage other churches to get involved. "I'll be on the phone this week," she said.

The YMCA of Greater Tulsa is offering a free one-week trial membership to participants and is waiving the sign-up fee and offering everyone a corporate rate, through Jan. 31.

Ros Elder of Total Pilates Studio in Brookside said she would offer a special discount to people engaged in the program.

Bill Sherman 581-8398
Bill.Sherman@Tulsaworld.com By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer

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	Report Comment Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (1/5/2009 7:24:19 AM) Good job Be Happy, keep it up!!!!
	Report Comment Ignatz, Broken Bow (1/5/2009 7:30:41 AM) Just got back from all-inclusive resort in Cancun, which translates to all-you-can-eat 24/7. I need this.
	Report Comment Graychin, Eucha (1/5/2009 9:21:08 AM) What a great idea! I'd like to sign up to participate from a distance.
	Report Comment Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (1/5/2009 11:21:15 AM) BH- All Souls accepts Pastafarians!
	Report Comment Mr. Brown, Tulsa (1/6/2009 5:15:01 PM) "Lost Souls"...man, that's funny. A devout athiest turns to a Church program to lose weight. The Lord works in mysterious ways...
	Report Comment Tim Denver, Denver (1/9/2009 5:09:29 PM) I attend a Unitarian Church. They are amongst the most welcoming people out there.
	Report Comment 52favoriteteacher, WASHBURN, MO (1/9/2009 5:53:59 PM) Awesome Our group has a Fitness Friday--weight training, running/walking and aerobics too. My waist size sure needs a few hours more work. It seems so easy to pack 10 on...

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