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Biggest Loser Challenge

By Jo-Anne Douglas, Health Promotion Director (CFB Shilo)

It was a long cold winter in Manitoba so none could be blamed for putting on a little winter fat to keep warm. However, by spring it was time to shed a few of those extra pounds and shed we did.  Participants in our Biggest Loser challenge dropped over 400 pounds in ten weeks.

Military members, civilians, and spouses – 81 in all – lined up to weigh in for the Shilo’s Biggest Loser weight loss challenge in April.

Participants had ten weeks to lose some weight with a final weigh-in to determine a military champion and a civilian champion the week of June 22. The Shilo and Area Service Club donated cash for prizes for the winners, er … the losers.

Each participant received an information pack, water bottle and pedometer when they weighed-in and then received a weekly bulletin with healthy eating, physical activity, and stress reduction tips. The Health Promotion office became a hub of activity as most of the participants chose to weigh-in at the office on a weekly basis.

And who is Shilo’s Biggest Loser? The competitiveness among the military members was fierce, but in the end, Chris Linehan (alias Slim) from Base Maintenance won by losing 29 pounds. Our civilian loser was Marguerite Paddock (alias Daisy), a retired military spouse, who lost 22 pounds.

Studies show that even the loss of a few pounds can result in a person feeling better and it reduces of the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, sleep apnea, and diabetes. More recent research shows that a little friendly competition can provide the motivation need to tackle weight loss.

Good results were evident. Participants said they did small manageable things that they will be able to continue after the challenge.

“I feel better and more energetic” and “My pants are loose around the waist” were comments frequently heard when the participants did their final weigh-ins. Some want to continue to weigh-in at the Health Promotion office because they feel it helps keep them on track if they have to ‘report to’ somebody.

Congratulations to all our participants … you are all losers AND winners!

Photo caption:  Andrea Crowder, administrative assistant from Health Promotion, adds another ‘lost pound’ to the Biggest Loser board.

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