Winners of Biggest Loser & Healthiest Weight Florida Challenge in Tavernier Announced

Monroe County, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County is happy to announce the winners of the Florida Department of Health-led Biggest Loser and Healthiest Weight Florida Challenge that took place in Tavernier. The eight-week challenge launched on February 24 and ended on April 21, 2017. Participation was open to the public.

As part of the challenges, contestants were provided weekly hints, tips, and other educational information on healthy eating habits and integrating exercise into their daily routine. Using a Bioimpedance Analyzer, the participants’ body fat percentage and basal metabolic rate were also measured.

The contest required a cash fee to be paid in order to participate. The incentive of winning motivated contestants to learn and stick with a newfound wellness regimen. The proceeds that were collected from these challenges were split among the top three biggest losers (competitors who lost the largest percentage of body weight). The challenge separated the male and female winners in different categories. Proceeds included a $30.00 registration fee from each participant and fees for gaining or missing a weigh in.

Congratulations to the following winners of the challenge: Female category:

  • 1st Place: Susan Cross lost 8.95 percent of her baseline bodyweight and won $260.00. Susan says, “What helped the most during this challenge was eating slower and only eating until I was 80 percent full. These were tips from Hannah that helped me tremendously. Every meal, I would put my fork down after a few bites and take a sip of water to help me slow down. Then once I felt 80 percent full, I would stop eating. I also ate lots of vegetables, some fruits, and did a protein shake in the ”
  • 2nd Place: Analita Russo lost 4.01 percent of her baseline bodyweight and won $156.00.
  • 3rd Place: Linda Jones lost 3.78 percent of her baseline and won $104.00.

Male category:

  • 1st Place: Wayne Gwilliam lost 12.07 percent of his baseline bodyweight and won $64.00. He keeps his title as first place male winner from the last Biggest Loser challenge. Wayne says, “Accountability and the competition aspect of the challenge helped me the most. The challenges are a great way for contestants to obtain weekly hints, tips, and other educational information on healthy eating habits and integrating exercise into their daily ”
  • 2nd Place: Tim Taylor lost 10.99 percent of his baseline bodyweight and won $36.00.
  • 3rd Place: Derek Sizemore lost 3.51 percent of his baseline bodyweight and won $26.00. Derek has participated in multiple challenges and was the top male winner in the first Biggest Loser challenge in the Upper

This competition represents the department’s eighth weight loss challenge for Florida Keys residents thus far. There have been multiple recurring challengers who have participated in the competition more than once. The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County will be planning more challenges later this year. If interested, please contact Gayle Glover at (305) 809-5606 or email [email protected].

The Biggest Loser Challenge Program by FDOH-Monroe is part of the department’s Healthiest Weight Florida Initiative. Healthiest Weight Florida is both a public and 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 visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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