Paramus Wins Big With 500 Pound Weight Loss

Sometimes loss can be a big gain.

That's exactly what the first-ever community weight loss challenge proved to be for Paramus. The 12-week challenge resulted in the Mayor's Wellness Campaign meeting its goal with a combined 500 pound weight loss.

"The weight loss was a huge success," said Mayor Richard LaBarbiera. "Many were excited to get involved and we are so glad we were able to bring this to Paramus."

The community weight-loss challenge was spearheaded by Board of Health director Judith Migliaccio.  With the help of Paramus' Gold's Gym and Valley Hospital, Paramus offered residents a chance to learn about nutrition and weight-loss tips over the 12 week period at no cost.

Roughly 140 participants signed up to take part, and although some dropped off, many really committed to the challenge with some losing as much as 40 or 50 pounds, said Migliaccio. The Board of Health will announce the winners at the upcoming July 4th parade.

Migliaccio says one of the participants who lost a significant amount of weight told her the challenge really changed her life and that is what she considers success.

"When someone sees results, you know you helped make a difference and that makes me happy," she said.

Participants came in one or two days a week to weigh-in either at Gold's Gym or at the Board of Health. Valley Hospital helped keep track of participants' weight loss.

Four seminars were held over the course of the four weeks to add an educational component, teaching people about fitness and nutrition.

Mike Epstein, owner of Gold's Gym, said they educated participants on the gym's five components of fitness:resistance training, cardiovascular, nutrition, supplementation and professional assistance. "The main message we give to people is to eat less and move more," said Epstein.

Epstein was proud to be part of this as promoting fitness is what the gym does and it was great to see the town get behind that encouraging people to lead a better lifestyle.

"The weight-loss was a testament, not just to the program, but to the people who did it," said Epstein.

Denis Niland, former councilman in town, was one of the many participants who lost a significant amount over the 12- week period - 26 pounds.

Niland had been working at losing weight, dropping about 20 pounds earlier in the year, and when the program came along he and his wife decided to get involved and support each other.

He learned a lot from the seminars offered about nutrition and how to establish an exercise program whether one belongs to a gym or works out at home.

LaBarbiera says thanks go to Migliaccio for spearheading the campaign.

Recently, Paramus was one of 10 towns to earn the distinction of a "New Jersey Healthy Town" for its Mayor's Wellness Campaign.

"It should be called the Judy Wellness Campaign, she did a great job," said LaBarbiera.