To keep participants motivated even after hitting a weight-loss plateau, Black Hills Workshop's Lose to Win program has embedded a fun factor to accompany each monthly weigh-in. Last Monday, the 21 teams went through an obstacle course as part of the December challenge.

Bill Clucas, Black Hills Workshop activity director, designed the three obstacle courses. Participants had to shoot basketballs through a hoop while seated in a wheelchair, toss rolls of tissue paper into a toilet and try to knock down three pins using a basketball while seated in a wheelchair. Each session lasted 20 seconds. The team winning the most challenges will win a prize at the competition's May finale.

"The most important thing is to have fun," he said.

Heather Kickery and Tanya Sexton had plenty of fun participating in the obstacle course. Aside from a great belly laugh, Sexton didn't score any points at the toilet paper toss. But Sexton has maintained her nine-pound weight loss since the contest began in October.

With three more pounds lost for the month of December - a total of eight pounds so far - Kickery helped her team, the Bod Squad, score 17 points for the challenge.

"I'm totally shocked that I lost three pounds," she said.

Kickery, 42, has been careful to avoid Christmas treats and snacks by taking those calorie-laden foods to her church potluck or to share with co-workers.

During the holiday meals, she tried to take small portions. If Kickery found that she was still hungry, she chose vegetables and foods that were lower in calories than desserts, sauces or stuffing.

If she does drink soft drinks, they're diet.

"I'm addicted to Diet Coke, but I'm drinking more water," she said.

Laura Gibson, a Black Hills Workshop service coordinator and a member of the Bod Squad, credits Kickery with keeping her moving during the recent cold snap.

"She got me going," Gibson said.

As part of their walking routine, the two women walked the entire length and width of the Rushmore Mall twice. They meet about once a week to exercise.

Independently, Kickery has started bicycling at the workshop gym, but also walks about nine blocks daily to her job when using the transit system. Gibson also walks and rounds out her exercise routine by playing racquetball and lifting weights three times a week.

"The thing is, we both need the exercise," Gibson said.

Gibson has started to journal her meals by planning her food menus for the day. She has maintained her loss of six pounds through hard work, but also by cooking a lot of her meals at home. She has dropped her daily calorie intake from 2,000 calories to 1,500. If she were to order a typical hamburger at a chain restaurant, the meal would possibly exceed her 1,500-calorie limit, she said.

"We underestimate from 50 percent to 70 percent the calories in our meals," she said.

Kickery enjoys her new clothes, which are comfortable and roomy from the recent weight loss. Motivated to continue to do well, she has scheduled a meeting with the workshop dietitian to create a monthly meal plan and also to get some new recipes.

New recipes, daily exercise and making good choices when tempted by calorie-drenched holiday meals and goodies have kept Kickery on her path to Lose to Win. Having a dietitian root for you can't hurt, she said.

"I think that's going to help a lot," she added.

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.