Sheriff's Department is cracking down
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(From left) Participants in the Hampden County Sheriffs Department teams in the state-wide Mass Shape up program, Michael Sheridan, John Evon, Nick Cocchi, Carmen Gonzalos and Diane Jimenez pose in the facility's gym where some inch closer towards their fitness goals after work.
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By Danielle Paine, Reminder Assistant Editor
Nearly 100 employees of the Hampden County Sheriff's Department are cracking down on their unhealthy habits together for a state-wide competition for a healthier lifestyle.
This is the third year in which staff of the Hampden County Correctional facility have created teams focused on diet and exercise to compete in Mass Shape Up. Held in conjunction with the upcoming Bay State Games, the four-month program tracks the monthly weight loss and activity minutes of teams across the Bay State who are all vying for top-dog status and better bodies. Based on similar state programs, Mass Shape Up is run by the Massachusetts amatuar sports foundation (MASF) and presented by Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts.
"The best part is that we don't tell you what to do," Kat Pileski of MASF said. "It is about encouraging you to do whatever you do to lose weight and get in shape. That can be different for every person."
Behind the walls of the Ludlow correctional facility, Fitness and Wellness Supervisor John Evon coordinates 10 teams of employees ranging from administrators to correctional officers. Each month, he tracks the groups' total weight loss and activity minutes to submit for the state-wide ranking.
"Basically, since 2005, we've motivated hundreds of employees to lose weight and become more active," Evon said. "That really sums up the benefits of the entire program."
Last year, one of Evon's teams clenched second place state-wide. The year before, first place. One team's captain, Personnel Specialist Carmen Gonzalez, said that this year is going to be the best.
"It gets better and better every year, and by far, this has been the best year," Gonzalez said. "One member of my team has already lost 29 pounds."
Some teams, such as Gonzalez's, are in for weight loss division while others are concentrating on just the activity minutes category.
The HCSD Elite, for example, is a team of extemely active correctional officers who are also training for the Iron Man contest and the Boston Marathon. They are currently ranked within the state's top five for activity minutes. Gonzalez's team of nine has already lost more than 100 pounds.
"Because everything is effecting your team too, you are more conscious of what you are eating or doing." Gonzalez said. "You think 'do I need that piece of cake?' No, I don't want to let my team down. I don't need that cake or that cookie."
Evon gives a food log to staff who are having difficulty reaching their goals. By tracking their food, calorie intake and activities, they can easily see what they are doing wrong.
"When you have to write things down and see what you're eating everyday, you make different decisions," Evon explained.
There is also some fun competition between the correctional facility's teams. Last year, one team of administrators baked homemade cookies and scones just to tempt another team into over-indulging. This year Gonzalez's team is supporting each other through encouragement and some group walks. Even those who aren't participating have questioned teammates caught snacking on chips or other junk food.
"We watch each other," Gonzalez said. "And this program is great because it fits into our routine. You don't have to go out to a gym or to weight loss meetings."
Once again, Evon hopes to represent his 100 participants at the award ceremony for the top three teams in the activity and weight loss categories at the opening ceremony for the Bay State Summer Games in July. It is a four-month journey towards fitness for all 1,024 state residents which began on Jan. 15 and is slated to end May 15.
"They definitely are a motivated group and I give a lot of credit to John for basically rallying the troops out there," Pileski said. "For anyone in the law enforcement field it is so important to stay in shape."
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