When it comes to holiday season, health enthusiasts stress that “the only thing that should be stuffed is the turkey.”

Sampson County Cooperative Extension is working to make sure people keep off the pounds during those Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. The 2017 Eat Smart, Move More Maintain Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge is scheduled to begin Nov. 13 and will continue through Dec. 31.

For 2017, the Sampson extension is working with the Center for Health and Wellness in Clinton to offer the free seven-week challenge in two locations. The process involves nutrition tips, weekly weigh-ins and incentive for participants.

Sydney Johnson, an extension agent for Family & Consumer Sciences, expressed how it’s not a fitness challenge, but a way for people to keep their weight down during the season. There will be opportunities for physical activities such as walking in a local park in late November. The purpose is burn a few extra calories before Thanksgiving.

According to officials, Americans gain between one and five pounds with the holidays, which are never lost. The program provides tips and tricks for weight maintenance for a couple of months.

“Overtime that builds up,” Johnson said. “A lot of the time we’re wearing loose clothing, which is usually less revealing. You got on baggy sweaters ,coats. and stuff like that, so we’re not paying close attention to how our clothes our fitting. All of that stuff can hide our weight really well.

“You’re around family and you’re around friends, so there’s a lot of time of fellowship,” Johnson said. “You’re usually eating more food than you normally do and that’s what contributes to that weight gain.”

Weekly weigh-ins are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays at the Sampson County Extension Office, 55 Agriculture Place, Clinton; and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at the Center for Health and Wellness, 417 E. Johnson St.m Clinton. Participants may pick either location. A kick-off for the event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Wellness Center.

Entries are accepted online at www.esmmweighless.com/sign or Thursday, Nov. 9 at the Sampson Extension Office, 55 Agriculture Place, Clinton.

For more information or for registration, call 910-592-7161 or contact Sydney Johnson by email at [email protected]

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Extension, Wellness Center invite public to join

By Chase Jordan

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