Supermarket Employees Shed Pounds

June 4, 2009 — -- For people trying to lose weight, the supermarket often offers more temptation than inspiration, but for one amazing group of Giant Foods' employees in Willow Grove, Pa., their job provided the education and support they needed to achieve some significant weight loss success.

Ninety-five employees from three stores and corporate headquarters lost 1,000 pounds in a weight loss challenge to see who could lose the most weight and body fat in 12 weeks.

Although the supermarket is full of lots of deliciously dangerous treats, Mary Anne Moylan, a Giant Foods in-store nutritionist, said it can also be a great place to start a diet.

"There are so many healthy options. You just have to look," Moylan said.

While Moylan usually provides information and support for customers -- helping shoppers aisle-by-aisle, finding foods that fit their diets, and teaching courses at the store -- she was pleased when the store employees wanted to utilize her expertise to lose weight themselves.

Moylan, who has worked in nutrition for 32 years, knows that breaking out of unhealthy routines can be difficult. That is why for the employees at Giant, it was so important to have plenty of support.

Each of the participants met with Moylan, who devised an individual plan, and walked through the market to find healthier food options, and learned to understand the food labels.

"We talked about healthier snacks, we talked about fats, we talked about carbohydrates, proteins, portion control," Moylan said.

The employees went to classes on nutrition, portion size and exercise. And at the end of each week, there were mandatory weigh-ins. At the end of 12 demanding but satisfying weeks, the results were in and Aaron Abrams, an assistant store manager, was named the Giant Loser.

Aaron Abrams' Story

Aaron Abrams got little exercise at work. As an assistant store manager, his office responsibilities had him sitting behind a desk for much of the day.

He had stopped going to the gym and before long, the pounds added up.

When Abrams joined the competition, he topped 250 pounds and he was certain he was in for sacrifice. But he was pleasantly surprised at Moylan's strategy for getting back to the gym.

Eating many small meals throughout the day had him itching to exercise. "She actually devised a plan where I was eating 3,000 calories a day," Abrams said. "People kidded me, saying there was no way I could eat all that food, and lose weight."

But he did. Abrams lost more weight in fact than everyone else in the supermarket chain - down 38 pounds in 12 weeks.

Tip: You have to eat to lose weight. Losing weight the healthy way means creating and sustaining a balance of good nutrition and exercise. Being on a diet doesn't mean starving yourself. When you skip a meal during the day, you can overcompensate by overeating at night. Eat several small meals a day instead of loading up in the evening.

Dot Churylo's Story

For Dot Churylo, growing up in an Italian household meant pasta and meat were staples of her diet, and after the birth of her two kids she was continuously battling with her weight.

In 2006, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, losing her job and then her home, the stress led her to overeat. Churylo knew she needed a change.

Failing with previous diet programs, Churylo, who works in the store's cafe, took a chance by participating in the workplace challenge.

She also started a light exercise program and within the first two weeks, had lost weight and was feeling great. By the end of the challenge, Dot Churylo had lost 7 and a half inches around her waist.

Tips: Substitute healthier options for your favorite fatty foods. Churylo learned to swap her usual fatty fare like her all-time favorite Philly cheese steak and french fries for healthier alternatives.

John Hollanden's Story

John Hollanden is the produce manager at the Giant Supermarket. While he made a living on fruits and vegetables, he rarely ate either. But since the challenge, he's changed the way he thinks about food.

"I used to go all day without eating, and now I eat 6 small meals a day," Hollanden said. "And I never really ate fruit or vegetables before, but now, I eat them a lot and I exercise every day."

In the 12 weeks of the challenge, Hollanden lost 35 pounds. He went from a size 42 pants, to a 36. And since the challenge ended, he lost an additional 35 pounds and is now down to 213 pounds.

"I feel like I have a lot more energy now. I have more confidence, and I've really changed the way I eat," Hollanden said.

Hollanden wants to take what he's learned at work and bring it home. "My wife says she's going to become my pupil. I'm going to teach her what I've learned," he said.

Tip: Don't do it alone. Try getting a club started at your job, with your family, friends, or at church. There are many people that struggle to lose weight. By doing it together, you're more likely to stick to healthy habits. Being on a team provides the understanding and encouragement that can be the key to weight loss.