Jul 7, 2016Dietitian Helps Misssisippi Player Lose 50 Pounds
As dietitian for the University of Mississippi, Frank Newell keeps a close eye on his football players to ensure that they are eating the right foods in the right portions. In one case, his efforts helped one player lose 50 pounds in less than a year.
According to The Clarion-Ledger, Jordan Sims, a sophomore, weighed 380 pounds last year, and had difficulties maintaining his stamina. With Newell’s help in demonstrating ideal proportions, critiquing what he selected at the dining hall, and giving encouraging messages, Sims dropped 50 pounds. As a result, his performance improved, and he even started a few games last season.
“Of course, it comes down to me doing it,” Sims said. “But if I didn’t have that motivation and that voice about what to do and what not to do, I couldn’t have done it. I really thank him.”
Newell keeps track of athletes’ current and past eating habits, particularly watching for indication of previous food insecurity resulting from inconsistent access to meals. He also ensures that athletes do not skip meals, because doing so can cause them to become hungry and eat unhealthy food as snacks.
The effects have even been felt beyond campus. Sims says his father lost a lot of weight following Newell’s advice as well.
For his part, Newell finds it fulfilling to help athletes improve their performance and keeps an article about Sims’ weight loss by his work computer.
“(Sims is) a lot healthier, so that’s the awesome part,” Newell said. “As you can see, I have that posted right behind me. Any of those positive steps, it just keeps me going.”
