Winners of Biggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge – Tavernier Announced

TAVERNIER, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County is happy to announce the winners of the ninth Department of Health-led Biggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge in Tavernier. The eight-week challenge was launched on January 12 and ended on March 9.  Participation was open to the public and conducted at the Roth Building in Tavernier.

Led by public health nutritionist, Hannah Padgett for the department, contestants were provided weekly hints, tips, and other educational information on healthy eating habits and integrating exercise into their routine.

This contest provided a cash incentive to motivate participants to learn and stick with a newfound wellness regimen.  Proceeds that were collected from this challenge were split among the top three biggest losers in separate male and female categories (competitors who lost the largest percentage of body weight).  Proceeds included the $30 registration fee, and fees for gaining or missing a weigh in.

About 328 pounds were lost during the eight-week period among the 30 Monroe County residents who participated.  This translates to over two people in pounds, based on an average weight of 150 pounds per person.  Among the women who competed, 225 pounds were lost; among the men, 103 pounds were lost.

Female Category: 

  • First place: Monica Bankowski lost 12.18 percent of her baseline body weight and won $392.
  • Second place: Lisa Winne lost 10.31 percent and won $236.
  • Third place: Danielle Goodman lost 9.91 percent and won $157.

Male Category: 

  • First place: Robert LaCasse lost 13.28 of his baseline body weight and won $131.
  • Second place: Wayne Gwilliam lost 8.13 percent won $79.
  • Third place: Paul Tarnopol lost 5.59 percent and won $52.

The Biggest Loser Challenge Program by FDOH-Monroe is part of the department’s Healthiest Weight Florida Initiative.  Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not-for-profit organizations, businesses and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living.

About the Florida Department of Health
The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visitwww.FloridaHealth.gov.

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