Teaching a strong message on healthy choices

"Biggest Loser" contestant Arthur Wornum visits Mt. Scott

Students in Mt. Scott High School’s health elective class recently learned some valuable lessons about nutrition and healthy choices, along with a dose of celebrity mixed in.  

Arthur Wornum, a popular contestant on NBC’s “Biggest Loser Season 11” program, visited Mt. Scott on March 15th to share his personal story of struggling to overcome obesity.  A resident of SE Portland and a graduate of Cleveland high School, the 34-year-old Wornum reached his heaviest weight of 646 pounds in 2009. He has since lost 340 pounds before, during, and after his participation on the “Biggest Loser” program.  His goal is to reach a total weight loss of 400 pounds by the end of May (2011).

“I am doing absolutely wonderful,” Arthur says. “Absolutely wonderful.”

Things were not so wonderful for Wornum in 2009. He had grown used to children pointing at him when he left his home. He was apprehensive about walking his daughter to her first day of school because the other kids might make fun of her.  He wondered whether he would fail to wake up one morning, leaving his wife Heather to raise their two children alone.  He was embarrassed.

A series of incidents inspired Arthur to begin his weight loss journey and his first goal was simple: cut out all fast food. Soon, he began lightly exercising.  He eventually got his weight down to 507 pounds before joining this season’s "Biggest Loser" program (along with his father, Jesse).  Little did Arthur know he would soon become a poster boy for the hit television show, lose another 200 pounds, save his life, and allow him to become a living testimony to the power of taking control of one’s life.

That testimony was clearly heard by Arthur’s audience of Mt. Scott students.  Many of the struggles he has faced with weight and unhealthy lifestyle choices began in high school. Arthur spoke to students about caloric intake, types of foods to avoid and why he has made these choices.

Students were prepared with questions and Arthur eagerly answered them all. Questions ranged from the calories he consumed before and after the show, his motivation for losing weight, and details about the “Biggest Loser” show.

One of Arthur’s post-show goals is to not only continue changing his life, but to change the lives of others. His presentation to Mt. Scott students on March 15th aligns with that goal.

“I want to give back to this community and help others live a more healthy life,” says Arthur. “If me talking with people can inspire them – even one person – to live healthier, then my job is done.”