Summerville's Biggest Loser

THE “SKINNY” ON SUMMERVILLE’S BIGGEST LOSER

Way back in January 2012, when resolutions were still unbroken, forty-five people registered to be a part of the first Summerville’s Biggest Loser weight loss challenge.  Organized by Summerville D.R.E.A.M. in conjunction with Healthy Delights and Guerin’s Pharmacy, dieters were encouraged to track their weight weekly for eight weeks from January 15th to March 17th.  This week the winners were announced by Summerville D.R.E.A.M.  As a group, the participants lost a total of 283 lbs!  The contest had three winners as the prizes were based on number of pounds lost and on percentage of body fat lost.  The Grand Prize winner was Sarah Daniels who snagged the top prize in both categories.  The second prize winner in the most pounds lost was Sue Willems while the second prize winner for greatest percentage of body fat lost was Kie Agee.  Kie and his wife both entered the weight loss challenge and she was just behind him in the challenge results.

Participation by downtown businesses in this weight loss challenge was wide and varied.  Summerville Community Acupuncture offered free acupuncture sessions to all participants to help aid the weight loss process.  At February’s Third Thursday there were chair massages donated by Cindy Smith and a Zumba fitness class demonstration by Sirena White –both of them offer services at Healthy Delights.  Healthy Delights located at 110 South Cedar regularly runs weight loss classes and they were instrumental in doing the initial measurements and weigh-ins for the challenge. Other local businesses donated prizes for the winners—thanks goes to People, Places & Quilts, Carolina Stingrays, John Lindroth Photography, Southern Belle Epoque, and Donovan’s Framing Shop for participating in offering the winners over $1000 worth of prizes which included $900 in DREAM gift certificates. When questioned about the experience Sarah Daniels reported that the competition helped to motivate her to lose three dress sizes—needless to say, she will be using gift certificates to buy a new wardrobe!  She and her father partnered throughout the challenge to give each other support.  Sue Willems said that being weighed in each week helped keep her accountable.  She is using some of her winnings to continue her weight loss at Healthy Delights. Both commented on how nice it was to have the local businesses involved and supporting the challenge and they hope to see Summerville DREAM repeat the weight loss challenge again. Congratulations to all the participants that lost weight and particularly to the three winners!