Biggest winners lose half-ton

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Ten weeks ago several Team Dover members began a weight-loss journey as they teamed together and joined the base's Biggest Winner contest. After working hard and monitoring their diets, the total weight loss from the contestants was more than 1,000 pounds.

The contestants, 222 in all, gathered March 16, 2011, to find out who had lost the most weight. After eating a health-conscious lunch provided by the Health and Wellness Center, it was time to find out which team had lost the most.

For a combined weight loss of 1,286 pounds, one team rose above the rest to claim the coveted biggest winner trophy. The team also won a bed-and-breakfast get-a-way for each member of the team and a guest.

Losing a total of 93.7 pounds, the "Buffateers" reigned supreme. Members of the team were Staff Sgt. Mike Gump, Mr. Mike Prystajko, Master Sgt. Bill Bryan, Mr. Dave Campana, Mr. John Vanderven and Mr. Richard Barker.

Taking second place with 91.5 total pounds lost went to the "Too Phatt" team. Members of the team were Chief Master Sgt. Peter Cawthon, Lt. Col. Travis Condon, Mr. Brian Roush, Chief Master Sgt. John Evalle, Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Riff and Chief Master Sgt. Richard Sherman.

Coming in third was team "Flabulous" who lost a total of 83.6 pounds. Members of the team were Tech. Sgt. Jason Pulido, Airman 1st Class Justin Cornish, Senior Airman Jason Bush, Staff Sgt. Shawn Boston, Staff Sgt. Robert Jones and Airman 1st Class Tom Tarantella.

Losing weight brings about changes and challenges in a person's everyday behavior.

"It was hard to drop the weight, because I was gaining muscle at the same time," said Airman Cornish. "I gave up my free time to exercise, but it was worth it to lose 12 pounds."

Airman Cornish also had to make changes in his activity level.

"I'd always eaten healthy, the challenge was finding the motivation to get out there and workout more," said Airman Cornish. "I didn't have to make a lot of changes to my diet, and I started running more, which helped me lose more weight."

Airman Bush had to focus on his diet.

"I couldn't eat fast food regularly," said Airman Bush. "I had to change my eating habits to a healthier diet. I lost 16 pounds; the first five-to-eight pounds came off pretty fast, but after that, dropping more weight was difficult."

The HAWC, who has been holding the Biggest Winner competition since 2007, began advertising for the six-member teams in December and the competition began the first week in January. There was a weigh-in every Friday and the total weight loss of all members was tallied and e-mailed in a weekly newsletter.

John Walters, 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron fitness program manager, said the 2011 Biggest Winner competition was the best yet, due to the attention to detail by HAWC staff. The staff not only weighed participants quickly but also offered advice and motivation during the program.

Many of the participants asked the HAWC if they could continue to weigh-in every week. Mr. Walters said he is more than happy to weigh them in.

This proved that the 2011 Biggest Winner competition went to another level, said Mr. Walters. The enthusiasm of participants and the HAWC staff made the contest fun and enjoyable. The staff also noticed an acceptance of healthy weight loss versus a focus on total pounds lost.

"It will be hard to top this year's competition," said Mr. Walters. "The awards for the top three teams were awesome. You could see the amazement in the eyes of the winners during the announcing of the prizes, everyone leaving the ceremony was saying if they knew that the gifts were going to be that nice they would have worked even harder. But I can't wait; it's going to be huge. The HAWC staff is ready for whatever challenge comes our way."