Morelli shares weight loss message with MIPA students
By Maggie Malaney, Findlay (OH) High School
After losing 207 pounds on the seventh season of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” Mike Morelli shared his message of obesity prevention with high school journalism students at Michigan State University on Monday night.
“It’s up to (children) to stop our parents from going to the fast-food place, to get (parents) to buy the healthier groceries. It has to start with us raising awareness,” Morelli said to room of nearly 200 teens attending the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association journalism workshop.
Morelli mentioned recent statistics that indicate obesity is the number-two preventable killer in the United States. In fact, one in seven children from ages 2 to 4 are obese, according to a July 2009 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Morelli said his weight loss wasn’t easy. “I didn’t know how to change,” he said. “I’d lose a little bit (of weight) then gain it back and then some. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to change or if I could change. I learned (weight loss is) about making the life change. If you eat healthy and exercise, you will change.”
Doing his part to raise obesity awareness, Morelli has been speaking to groups about his weight loss and being a personal trainer. He will attend Michigan State this fall as a pre-med student for athletic training.
“Everybody has something they want to change. My advice is to do it,” Morelli said. “Make one little change. Try making a better you. I guarantee it’ll lead you to another one and another one, and it will lead you to a better, happier you.”
