TCA selects 11 carriers to participate in Weight Loss Showdown

The Trucker News Services

12/9/2011

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has selected 11 trucking companies to participate in Trucking’s Weight Loss Showdown, a competition with prize incentives for the fleet and individuals who achieve the greatest percentages of weight loss.

The participants are:

• Bestway Express of Vincennes, Ind.

• Bison Transport Inc. of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

• Brian Kurtz Trucking Ltd. of Breslau, Ontario

• Excargo Services of Houston

• Hirschbach Transportation Services Inc. of East Dubuque, Ill.

• Paramount Freight Systems of Fort Myers, Fla.

• Prime inc. of Springfield, Mo.

• System Transport Inc. of Spokane, Wash.

• Tennant Truck Lines of Orion, Ill.

• U.S. Xpress Inc. of Chattanooga, Tenn., and

• Weinrich Truck Line Inc. of Hinton, Iowa.

In order to be considered for the Showdown, interested companies completed an application that included a short statement of intent.

Eleven of the statements were so compelling that TCA decided to increase the number of participating companies from 10 to 11, TCA officials said.

One company wrote: “Forty years old is the average age of our team. These folks are beginning to experience the devastating impact of obesity. This Showdown will give them a chance to literally save their lives.”

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Another trucking company wrote: “There is a huge need for programs like this one, and it has been widely received by our staff and drivers with open arms. Not one of our team members has asked what the reward is because they truly need the help and guidance. They understand that having support to try and get on this path to health is the reward.”

“When we read statements like these, we realized that these 11 carriers are truly passionate about their drivers’ and employees’ health, so we felt compelled to increase the number of spots to let them all into the challenge,” Chris Burruss, TCA president, said. “They seriously want to educate and motivate their people to get fit, and this contest is a great way to do that.”

“The carriers’ reasons for wanting to participate in Trucking’s Weight Loss Showdown are truly inspiring,” said Cynthia Stamper Graff, chairman of Lindora Clinic, which will manage the competition. “The level of commitment and enthusiasm they demonstrated will make for an exciting competition. We can’t wait to get started.”

The Showdown is scheduled to last 10 weeks beginning Jan. 24, 2012, and will be managed for TCA by Lindora Clinic, a personalized weight management company. It will stress a low-carbohydrate, low-fat, moderate protein menu plan coupled with exercise, nutrition education and lifestyle changes. Participants will receive weekly phone calls from Lindora nurses, who will instruct them on nutrition education, help boost their morale, discuss their obstacles, and record their weight loss.

Part of the way through the Showdown, each team’s profile and progress will be shared with attendees of TCA’s annual convention March 4-7, 2012, at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Fla.

The winners – both fleet and individual – will be announced in May at TCA’s Safety & Security Division Annual Meeting.

The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at editor@thetrucker.com.

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