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Community Corner

Hospital's Nurses Take Weight-Loss Challenge, Donate Food to Pantry

For each pound they lost, nurses donated an item to Menomonee Falls Food Pantry.

An inspired group of nurses doubled down on a weight-loss initiative, turning it into a valiant effort to help feed the poor.

A total of 22 nurses lost a total of 287 pounds over a period of 12 weeks. For each pound lost, the nurses donated an item to the , which received the donation of food Tuesday.

"Because we are nurses, by nature we want to help people," said neonatal intensive care unit nurse Amy Nichols, who organized the effort among her fellow nurses. "Thanksgiving is just a time to remember people who are a lot less fortunate than us." 

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Among her co-workers, Nichols is known as the fitness and health guru. As a result, the weight loss challenge was born out of a collective wish among her fellow nurses to be more healthy. 

"I just thought that maybe it would be good … to do this collectively so you have the camaraderie and support," Nichols said. 

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"We are just going to be bathing beauties during the summer," said nurse Deborah Verville, who participated in the weight-loss challenge. "You won't be able to stand us." 

Each participant had a weigh-in, which included a body fat measurement, before embarking on their individualized 12-week program in August. After the challenge was complete, participants came back for another weigh to determine how well they did.   

"I had them specify a 12-week goal that they wanted to achieve, which kept them anchored and focused," Nichols said. 

Awards were given to those that lost the most weight, met their goal and lowered their body fat percentage the most.

"There was a first and second place and for the best team because you were entered with a partner so you had an accountability partner," Nichols said. "It boosted morale a lot on the floor." 

Toward the end of the challenge, the group decided to involve the food pantry with a donation.  

"When you are experiencing positivity in your life, you want to share that good fortune and positivity any way you can," Nichols said. "If you get, you give and if you learn, you teach." 

Nichols called the effort a "mind-blowing success." 

"It was beyond fabulous," she added. 

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