CRANBERRY TWP — Westinghouse Electric employees at corporate headquarters in Cranberry Woods and at three other Western Pennsylvania locations have dropped a half-ton of weight while contributing to the United Way of Butler County.

The Pound for Pound Weight Loss Challenge saw 261 employees and their spouses in Cranberry, New Stanton, Waltz Mill and Monroeville sign up for the six-week program. For every pound lost, Westinghouse donated $1 to the United Way.

Lindsay Ballantine of Wellness Solutions, Westinghouse Electric's in-house wellness company, said $1,648 was donated to United Way after employees lost 1,012 pounds and donated $636 of their own money to the cause.

Ballantine said the employees far exceeded her weight-loss expectations for the program and have maintained a startling 70 percent retention rate.

"We were very excited about it," Ballantine said.

She said employees weighed in weekly, participated in the company's "Lunch-n-Learn" program in which healthy food choices were presented by Wellness Solutions in the cafeteria each day, and used the fitness facilities available at or near each of the four Westinghouse branches.

Wellness Solutions also sent weight-loss and fitness tips to employees in the program via an e-mail each Monday morning. Incentives to excel in the program included distribution of raffle tickets for gift cards and events.

In Cranberry, a state-of-the-art fitness center is available to employees. Located in the main building's ground floor, the center is available to employees for $30 per month and to immediate family members for $35 per month, both of which can be payroll deducted.

Retirees can use the center for $27 per month.

Ballantine said the center includes cardio and strength-training machines, a group exercise studio, a sauna and steam room, and two locker rooms with showers. The center is open to members seven days a week and is staffed Mondays through Fridays.

Westinghouse employee Patrick Salkeld of Seven Fields said the Pound for Pound program came at a good time as he and his wife were looking for a way to start off a long-term fitness plan. Salkeld, 61, lost more than 20 pounds, and his wife's weight-loss percentage exceeded his own.

Salkeld attributes the couple's success to the enthusiasm of the Wellness Solutions staff at the fitness center.

"The support, help and encouragement we got from the staff members was excellent," Salkeld said.

He said contributing to United Way was another reason the couple embraced the program.

Salkeld said he and his wife visited the fitness center daily during the six-week challenge and now work out there at least five times a week.

"My wife really likes the elliptical," Salkeld said. "She beats everyone I know. She just gets on there and goes. I couldn't possibly keep up with her on that thing."

Salkeld, who prefers the treadmill for his cardio workout, said the couple also used the weight machines every other day to balance out their fitness routines.

"Once we both get in better shape, we are going to join some group exercise activities," Salkeld said.

He said with such a well outfitted facility at his workplace, there is no need for the couple to invest in home fitness equipment.

"It has all the machines you would want, great locker rooms with showers, soap and towels, and a really nice sauna," Salkeld said. "It's everything we could possibly need."

To maintain their weight loss, the Salkelds joined Wellness Solutions' "Don't Tip the Scale" weight-maintenance program, which has participants weigh in biweekly through the holiday season.

James Bloom of Ross Township lost 26 pounds during the Pound for Pound program by using the fitness center's elliptical, treadmill and weights.

"It was a way of getting me to actually stay with the program and challenge myself along the way."

During the six-week program, Bloom used the fitness center five to six days per week and now visits four to five days.

He said Westinghouse's New Stanton facility, where he worked before moving in April to the Cranberry headquarters, offered a fitness center. But it was five miles from the office, which kept Bloom from using it.

He said the center in Cranberry doesn't require him to leave home in the evening to work out.

"It's already here, I just have to walk downstairs," he said.

Leslie Osche, president of the county United Way, said the weight loss program is in line with the United Way world goal of improving health.

She said the funds received from Westinghouse will go into the community impact fund, which helps needy families.

"(The Pound for Pound program) is certainly in keeping with the United Way's health initiatives to get people to lose weight and reduce their risk of heart disease and diabetes," Osche said.

Ballantine said employees greatly appreciate the ensuing Don't Tip the Scale program, and most have signed up.

"Everyone says when they come in that they are really impressed they have been able to keep the weight off," she said.