Biggest Loser competition about to begin

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Grace Lee
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Obesity -- more than 78.6 million U.S. adults are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not only is it to blame for conditions such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, it is costly to the U.S. and those who suffer from it.

To help fight the bulge, the Luke Air Force Base Bryant Fitness and Warrior Fitness Center has come up with the Luke's Biggest Loser Competition, which is scheduled to begin Feb. 23.

"This is the fifth year we have held this annual competition and the reason is there is a plethora of people who need help and want to get a jumpstart on their health and fitness goals," said Paul Johnson, 56th Force Support Squadron Bryant Fitness Center fitness specialist supervisor. "This program is a perfect impetus to get them started on not just working out, but also to get them to learn about themselves during the process and how to eat right."

Luke's fitness specialists' goal is for participants to continue their health and fitness journey even after the competition is over.

"Our ultimate goal is to get them to start a healthy lifestyle and keep it for the rest of their lives," said Maxwell Simeon, 56th FSS Bryant Fitness Center fitness specialist. "Our hope is that people will not only finish the program but stick to it."

There isn't a minimum amount in pounds one has to be overweight to join the challenge.

"We want people to know you don't have to be 50 or more pounds overweight in order to join this challenge," Johnson said. "Anyone who wants to participate can, as long as they are 18 and older and have base access."

Participants are required to be at one of the sign-ins held Feb. 23 at 6:30 a.m. or 4:30 p.m. in the Bryant Fitness Center. During the sign-in, participants will be weighed and briefed on the 12-week program calendar of optional fitness classes, work out challenges and health classes one can attend, as well as fill out the sign-up sheet allowing fitness specialists to take participants through the program.

"To stay in the competition, participants must go to mandatory bi-weekly weigh-ins which will be marked on the calendar we provide to them," Johnson said. "If they fail to give us notice that they won't be able to attend the weigh-in, they won't be able to continue the challenge."

The very last weigh-in is May 26 and the Luke's Biggest Loser winner will be announced at a ceremony May 29. The winner is determined by the most percentage of body weight lost.

"By us going by percentage of body weight lost, even a person who starts out with 25 pounds to lose has a chance of winning," Johnson said. "Last year, those who placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd all won gift cards, and who knows what the prizes will be this year. You'll just have to sign-up to find out."

Luke's fitness specialists are here to help contestants every step of the way.

"We are here for you guys to be successful," Johnson said. "If you want to change your life and take control of it, join our program -- the benefits to being healthy and fit are priceless."