Throughout the winter months, employees of Shore Bancshares, Inc. and their family of companies (Avon-Dixon Agency, Freestate & Son, Elliott Wilson Insurance, Jack Martin Yacht Insurance, Talbot Bank, CNB and Wye Financial & Trust) participated in an eleven week weight maintenance challenge. A total of 163 employees joined the Maintain Don’t Gain Challenge sponsored by the Shore Bancshares’ Wellness Committee. The goal was to maintain their current weight over the length of the challenge period or take it to the next level and lose weight by the final weigh-in date.

The challenge started when each participant was weighed in before the Thanksgiving holiday. The Wellness Committee then sent weekly tips and health facts to encourage the employees to maintain or lose weight especially over the course of the holiday seasons. “I was very impressed by the results of our Maintain Don’t Gain Challenge,” said Diana Johnson, VP Employee Benefits for The Avon-Dixon Agency. “The average American gains 5-7 pounds over the winter season and never takes it off. We had a large majority of participants either maintain their weight or lose weight. It was a great success.”

Out of the 163 participants in the challenge, 104 either maintained or lost weight by the final weigh-in during the week after the Super Bowl. A total of 265.5 pounds were lost with four participants losing over 10% of their body weight. Shore Bancshares is committed to promoting a culture of wellness and healthy lifestyle practices to fellow employees through education, encouragement and self-participation. The Shore Wellness Committee consists of 10 employees who meet regularly to plan programs that support the wellness mission of Shore Bancshares.