Biggest Loser Competition

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Airmen from Holloman Air Force Base are currently taking part in the second edition of a weight loss competition based loosely on the television show, the Biggest Loser. 

The challenge, which is hosted by the 49th Force Support Squadron, has more than 70 Airmen taking part and encourages them to be active, eat right and get fit. 

"The goal is to make people be more aware of their health. And to hopefully get them interested in working out and just leading a healthy lifestyle," said Staff Sgt. Christie Ray, 49th Force Support Squadron, event coordinator. "We want to educate and encourage the base populous to lose unwanted and unneeded pounds." 

The competition will be scored on the most percentage of body weight lost, however, teams can score additional points by attending classes and other activities the Fitness and Sports Center will host. They also get points for keeping a nutritional log of what they eat, providing by the Health and Wellness Center. 

"The Biggest Loser helped me to feel better about myself," said Biggest Loser participant, Tech Sgt. Jennifer Pahl, 49th Medical Operations Squadron. "And the classes offered by the Fitness Center increased my endurance and my ability to be an asset physically to my medical team." 

This time around, instead of weighing in weekly, contestants will weight in once every two weeks in the hopes that people will be able to better see results. 

Sergeant Ray said it was found more people see results over a two week period versus a one week period, which motivates them more than last year's weekly weigh-ins. 

"Just like in the TV show, people can take this information and experience and use it in their day-to-day lives and be all around healthier and happier with themselves," she said. 

"They have that feeling of accomplishment. Even if they don't accomplish their goal within the time of the competition, I do hope they continue to reach for that goal." 

The participants will be competing for team awards as well as individual prizes over the course of the competition. Each month teams will also be able to compete for "team of the month" honors. 

The original competition debuted in July last year and featured 17 teams competing to lose the most weight. 

During last year's completion, the team dubbed the "biggest losers" was Batten's Belly Busters from the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron gaining over 16,000 points during the 12-week competition. The team with the most over weight loss during last year's Biggest Loser competition was En Fuego from the 49th Medical Operations Squadron losing a total of 69.5 pounds.