Biggest Loser contestants reap rewards of healthy habits Published April 30, 2010 By Kimberly L. Wright Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Two-and-a-half months into a basewide Biggest Loser contest, participants feel they have already won, no matter what the contest's final outcome may be. "The doctor says that just since I started this program, I've added 10 years to my life," said Deborah Aguilar-Root of Air War College. "That equals more precious time with my wonderful husband and sons. What could be better than that?" The Biggest Loser contest started Feb. 15, and is being conducted by the Health and Wellness Center. Twenty teams of four people, as well as about 95 individual competitors, are participating in the weight-loss contest, said Beth Guthrie, recreation specialist and program leader. The competition requires biweekly weigh-ins and participation in events such as fitness challenges and nutrition improvement classes. The team with the most points, as well as single individuals with the highest weight-loss percentage, will win the contest. Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. May 24. 'Change catalyst' By losing weight, Ms. Aguilar-Root, captain of Team Determined, has gained overall better health. At a recent doctor's appointment, she discovered that her cholesterol numbers had dropped more than 40 points, and her blood pressure had decreased greatly. "My type 2 diabetes, which is diet controlled, is now considered better than most people who don't have diabetes," she said. The Biggest Loser format provides a structure that Ms. Aguilar-Root finds inspiring. "The accountability of turning in exercise logs and food journals has forced me to be more aware of what I'm consuming, when and why and how many calories are burned through different kinds of exercise. Both have been eye-opening," she said. "I love the TV show 'Biggest Loser.' It's inspiring, and I wanted to be part of that contagious enthusiasm and synergy that a competition like this generates." Ms. Aguilar-Root follows a daily exercise program. In addition, Andrew Rasbury, the fitness center staff exercise physiologist, made an unexpected contribution to her health by helping her correct a stance and gait problem she didn't know she had. "I had been experiencing tremendous muscle strain and spasms in my lower right calf for months," she said. "After his recommendations, I'm pain free." The HAWC staff's support has impressed Ms. Aguilar-Root. "The program director, Beth Guthrie, has been a change catalyst," she said. "She's a superior motivator and is always looking for innovative ways to keep the energy level high. She takes time to understand each of us and our unique challenges. I love that she doesn't use a cookie-cutter approach to answering my questions. She takes the time to make it personal for each of us." Ms. Aguilar-Root considers her team's bond one that will endure past the contest's expiration date. "We share exercise strategies, nutrition tips and walk 5K's together," said Ms. Aguilar-Root. "It's important to have that accountability and motivation factor if you want to achieve lasting success. ... Long after the game concludes, we will be able to rely on each other." 'Enough is enough' A member of the Larder than Life team, currently in second place, Johnny Davis of Outdoor Recreation had gained 70 pounds after retiring from the Air Force as a chief three years ago. A souvenir photo taken last year at Dixie Stampede in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., shocked Mr. Davis into action. "I opened up the picture and didn't recognize who I was," he said. He has placed the souvenir photo on his fireplace mantle in his living room, and uses it as a motivational tool when TV food commercials attempt to weaken his resolve. A photo of himself four years and several pounds ago - "The picture of where I want to be" - is on the refrigerator as another reminder to eat wisely. "You just wake up one day and say, enough is enough," he said. As a Biggest Loser contestant, Mr. Davis has lost 24 pounds. However, he had started his own weight loss program before signing up for Biggest Loser. He has lost 50 pounds since the beginning of the year, reaching his weight-loss goal of 50 pounds by May 15, his son's graduation day. His next goal is 90 pounds by September. He attributed his weight loss to a blend of calorie intake management and exercise, supplemented by the popular fitness video game, Wii Fit. He's been working out five days a week, with two exercise sessions a day - "two-a-days" in professional sports parlance - as well as increasing his water intake, counting calories and avoiding sweet tea. His participation in the contest has boosted his weight-loss efforts. "[The Biggest Loser contest] helped keep me focused, and I think it's going to help the base populace as a whole," he said. "When you have mandatory weigh-ins every two weeks, it provides a little more accountability." He noted that a bit of friendly competition within the team itself also helps him stay motivated - specifically with teammate Amanda Winters, who is currently ahead of him in percentage of weight lost. Mr. Davis is enjoying his weight-loss achievement. "It's pretty exciting to buy new clothes because yours are too big," he said. He knew when he joined the contest that his earlier weight loss would hurt his chances of winning, but his long-term health victory means more to him than whether he wins or loses. "If this contest can change your lifestyle, then you win. ... I like those retirement checks. I want to get as many as I can," he said.