This is graduation season in Bermuda, but we doubt if there will be a more ecstatic closing out ceremony than the one Sunday at the Somerset Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Graduating were the latest group who have completed the 2010 "CHIP" programme directed by Mrs. Chirleen Williams and her committed band of medical professionals and other volunteers.

CHIP! is the short name for "Coronary Health Improvement Project", a California-based 30-day programme guaranteed to decrease heart attack risk, normalize diabetes, reduce the risk of strokes, normalise blood pressure, reduce risk of cancer, lower cholesterol by 15-20 percent, and increase overall quality of one's life. an increase in their overall quality of life by decreasing heart attack risk, normalizing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol among other things including wiping out their cravings for sweets, chocolate

The Chip Programme has become very popular since it was first introduced in the US and spread to the UK, Bermuda and elsewhere. In short order, noticeable changes took place in the lives of "Chippers". the name given to participants.

Chirleen, the enthusiastic director of the programme trained at Atlantic Union College in Massachusetts and then at Orlando, Florida. She explained: "No drugs, no gimmicks are involved. It is not a dieting programme, just an inspiring educational one of how to make healthy choices for a lifetime of better health."

It is just an inspiring educational one on how to make healthy choices for a lifetime of better health. Key elements included exercise such as walking, swimming and making right choices for meals.

Chippers were urged to keep in close contact with their doctors. They had a syllabus to follow; were given daily reading assignments, learning objectives (homework) about dynamic living, modern medicines. Also about making right choices, eating less of some and more of other things. Exercise was an important element, such as swimming and walking and how it creates balance in life about how drinking water cuts cravings for sweets, chocolate, etc.

Each of the Chippers was given an ankle pedometer, which measured every step they made throughout the 30-day period. At the end of each day a professional statistician made a record of their steps. A total of 2,500 steps equaled one mile. Mrs. Williams reported that the aggregate distance walked by the 28 Chippers was 1,320.25 miles miles, which amounted to 31.43 times around Bermuda

The prize for the most mileage recorded by an individual went to Carolyn Scott, being 117.69 miles. Second to her was Patricia Wilkinson with 116.79 miles. Topping the male side of the walking agenda was the Somerset Church Pastor DeJuan Tull with 86.65 miles to his credit.

Daily recordings were also made of changes in weight, blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels. Central Diagnostics made assessments. Dr. Leonard Gibbons undertook the nightly readings and he gave one-on-one advice to Chippers. Nurse Beverley Brangman and five other nurses headed the heart-screening programme, some of them starting as early as 6 a.m.

Keynote speaker at Sunday's graduation was Mrs Sharon Platt McDonald, MSC.HS, DipMS, BCS.HS, RHV, RM, C.AC.D.P, and RGN. She and her husband came from London, England where she currently works as the Health Director and Disability Awareness Coordinator for the British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Sharon is also a motivational speaker an author, editor and columnist who is regularly interviewed both TV and radio about her achievements in the NHS and her passion for holistic health and the empowerment of individuals enabling them to make life style choices to enhance wellbeing.

She has written a series of books on health titled, The Little Book of Health for Men; The Little Book of Health for Women; The Little Book of Health for Children and Teens; The Little Book of Health for Seniors; and Brain Health.