“LOSER” TO ADDRESS ANNUAL LAKES HEALTH CONFERENCE IN JUNE

“The Biggest Loser” will speak to attendees of this summer’s Lakes Health Conference entitled “For the Health of It” held at Lake Okoboji.

Matt Hoover, native of Marion, Iowa, joined the NBC show “The Biggest Loser” in the second season of the competition. A legend in his hometown, Hoover was an NCAA wrestling champ at Iowa State.

For many years, Hoover didn’t see himself as a “fat guy.” He competed in the world championships and even beat a contender who won a gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Athens.

An injury tore him from his own Olympic dream, and as a result, Hoover gained so much weight that he pushed himself outside the realm of competitive sports.

Hoover will be the featured speaker over the lunch hour on Friday afternoon, June 13.

Other topics planned at the one and a half day conference include: “Laughter: Jest for the Health of It,” presented by Jim Jelinske, MS; “Beyond Nutrition: Can Food Prevent Cancer?” by Dr. Ruth McDonald and then Kim Weaver, CH, LBSW, will close the afternoon with “Change Your Life By Changing Your Mind,” a presentation on self hypnosis.

Friday’s agenda besides Hoover’s presentation will cover “Lymphedema Management” by Julie Bajema, DPT, CLT and “Bariatric Surgery” by Teresa Beach, RD, LN, CDE. “The Psychology Behind Eating,” by Debra Brooks, PhD and “Fitness for Life: Strategies to Incorporate Exercise Anywhere,” by Aimee Eaton, Exercise Specialist, will bring the program to a close.

The sponsors are hoping for 200 attendees in addition to the presenters and vendors who will be present. The mission of this conference is to provide education and credit for nurses, health professionals, social workers, psychologists, dieticians, athletic and personal trainers as well as physical and occupational therapists. Approval for educators is pending.

This will be the Fourth Annual Lakes Health Conference. It is co-sponsored by Iowa Lakes Community College and Northwest Iowa Community College. The event will be held Thursday and Friday, June 12 and 13 at the Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center, 1405 Highway 71 South, Okoboji. Arrowwood is a beautiful two-story resort hotel set on Brooks 27-hole golf course, across from Lake Okoboji and near the Spirit Lake Airport.

Conference details and registration information can be found on the flier posted on the Web site: www.iowalakes.edu or www.nwicc.edu. Participants may register or request a flier by calling NWICC, (800) 352-4907. Preregistration must be made by noon, June 1. A free tote bag will be given to the first 100 paid registrants. Questions regarding the conference should be directed to Rosemary Coleman, Iowa Lakes Community College Health Programmer, (800) 242-5108, ext. 5227, (rcoleman@iowalakes.edu) or Marilyn Stille, Northwest Iowa Community College, Continuing Education Coordinator, (800) 352-4907, ext. 143, (mrstille@nwicc.edu).