BNSF News

Terminal Service Excellence Team "Loses It"

2010-06-07

Pick up a newspaper or magazine -- or watch television -- and you will see information about losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle.

Statistics say that more and more Americans are overweight, and fast food is often considered a contributing factor. What if you want a healthier lifestyle -- and you're on the road much of the time?

Terminal Service Excellence Team members found themselves in just that situation, traveling 80 percent of the time. Headquartered in Fort Worth, team members have no option but to eat out while they are traveling, and access to workout equipment at hotels varies while on the road.

So, team members decided to hold a Biggest Loser competition, similar to the television show of the same name, and to raise money for United Way at the same time.

The members divided themselves into two competing teams: Team Craun (for leader Jeff Craun) and Team Garland (for leader Matthew Garland).

"We had 20 people participate in our Biggest Loser fundraiser," said Craun, director, Service Excellence. "We lost a total of 174 pounds."

Jesus Guajardo, senior implementation team leader, Service Excellence, was the top individual winner, losing 8.9 percent of his body weight. The following rounded out the top four:

• John Young, trainmaster, Service Excellence, also at 8.9 percent weight loss
• Dan Smith, terminal manager, Service Excellence, 7.8 percent weight loss
• Jason Ornelas, senior implementation team leader, 5.7 percent weight loss

"Our current lifestyle of traveling and eating on the go is not the easiest, especially when it comes time to step on the scale," said Garland, director, Service Excellence. "We wanted to come together as a group to make a healthy lifestyle change."

Team members helped each other lose weight by watching their own caloric intake and supporting each other in selecting healthier food options.

"We also had some team-building activities that support the Healthier Way Forward," Craun said. "We walked, rode bicycles and worked out when we could."

The team members "paid to play," raising $200 to donate to the United Way of Tarrant County.

Although Team Craun squeaked past Team Garland for the overall team win, members on both teams are winners for developing healthier lifestyles.

BNSF Headquarters

BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com