29 June, 2015
Charleville residents beat the bulge
The 12 week Battle of the Bulge has seen 170 Charleville residents shrink their waistlines by an
average of eight centimetres.
Charleville Hospital Dietitian Jessica Phillips said the friendly weight loss competition proved
that little changes can add up to big results.
“In addition to shrinking waists, countless participants are now making healthier choices,
increasing their fruit and vegetable consumption and moving more,” she said.
“Many of the participants have reduced their waistlines enough to move from high risk ranges to
healthy waist ranges.”
Ms Phillips said belly bugle is directly related to an increased risk of developing chronic
diseases like heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancers.
“Reducing your waist measurement is one of the most important things you can do for your
health.”
At the final presentation awards on Tuesday the 28th of May Ms Phillips showed her
competitive streak announcing that the Charleville Battle of the Bugle participants had beaten
their eastern cousins’ results.
“In the 12 week time frame our participants lost an average of 8cm around their waistlines, a
whooping three centimetres more than the Roma participants, who averaged five centimetres
when they did the Battle of the Bulge in 2013.”
Ms Phillips presented the Battle of the Bulge division winners with 12 and six month Charleville
Community Gym memberships.
Male
1st Ben McKenzie Percentage Waist Loss: 12.4 percent, 13cm.
2nd Darren Holley 8.8 percent waist loss, 10cm.
3rd Mark Vaggs 7.8 percent waist loss, 8cm.
Female
1st Natasha Richards Percentage Waist Loss: 12 percent, 12cm.
2nd Sue Ranson 11.5 percent waist loss, 15cm.
3rd Pam Taylor 10.9 percent waist loss, 12cm.
Highly Commended: Richard Ranson 24cm, Stretch Castles 11cm, Lisa Paynter 13cm, Melissa
Vaggs 12cm, Ivette Warren 12cm.
The winning team was the Belly Buster Team which included Ivette Warren, Ben McKenzie,
Sarah Quihampton, Irene Francis, Valda Mathewson and Loretta Riley.
The Belly Buster Team lost at total of 43 cm over the 12 week challenge and had at least one
team member at 85 percent of the workshops.
“I hope these results inspire more people to make the effort and reduce their waist lines
because after all healthy lifestyles are socially contagious.”
Ms Phillips said that people wanting to shrink their waistline can start today by:1) Kick the fad diet. Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated – it’s about variety, balance
and moderation. Eat food because you're hungry, eat food your body needs and eat food that
you enjoy the taste of.
2) Try adding foods rather than taking them away. You’ll find you have less room for the
unhealthy ones. Fill your plate with fruit, vegetables, wholegrain grains and lean proteins to fuel
your body.
3) Find movement you ENJOY! Some people like walking others like dancing. Find a way to
move your body that you LOVE and you’ll do it for a lifetime.

For more information contact Charleville Hospital Dietitian
Jessica Phillips on 4650 5026
ENDS
For further information contact:
Sally Rigney
Acting Public Affairs Officer,
South West Hospital and Health Service
Phone:
[email protected]