PULLMAN – For Sandy Lane, budget manager for the Division of Student Affairs, Equity and Diversity Finance Office, being the biggest loser is nothing to be ashamed of … when it comes to weight loss.
From Jan. 11 to March 8, Lane was one of 31 WSU students and employees to participate in a Biggest Loser Competition, vying to lose the highest percentage of body weight.
“The competition originated in the Office of Admissions,” said Lane. “For eight weeks everyone weighed in each Monday to the official ‘weigh master’ – Tricia Gregg.”
Getting motivated
Gregg, fiscal specialist II for the Admissions Office, was amazed at the overall turnout for the competition.
“When we began the competition, we thought only a couple people would participate,” Gregg said. “It was exciting to see 31 sign up.”
As incentive, each participant contributed $10 into a community pot. The first place winner – the person with the highest percentage lost – was awarded the $310 pot.
Gregg said a number of other methods were used to motivate participants as well.
“We had presentations from the rec center, a dietician, and we received helpful information from trainers at (Pullman business) Snap Fitness,” Gregg said. “We were really focusing on lifestyle changes, not just weight loss for eight weeks.”
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| Lane |
Shared goal
While the group achieved a total loss of 225.2 pounds, Lane was the competition’s “biggest loser,” shedding approximately 11.06 percent of her body weight.
“In order to achieve this, I knew I had to establish a schedule,” Lane said. “I joined a local health club and got involved in a variety of workout classes. I also utilized Smith Gym and the Indoor Track available through the WSU Faculty/Staff Fitness program.”
At week five of the competition, Lane also joined NutriSystems.
“With all the classes I was trying to fit in, who had time to cook!” she said.
Yet, Lane believes the greatest key to losing weight is developing friendships with others who have the same goal.
“The support from the other participants was so beneficial, and many of us discovered that we had so much in common with one other,” Lane said. “Developing friendships and experiencing camaraderie is essential in helping you push through the daily challenges.”
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| O’Meara |
Pound for pound
Joseph O’Meara, a senior accounting major at WSU and participant in the competition, succeeded in losing the most weight overall.
“I was one of five students working in the Office of Admissions who wanted to participate in the competition,” he said. “Winning $300 is a great incentive for any college student on a tight budget.”
O’Meara addressed the competition from two angles – eating healthier and working out more frequently. As it turns out, the combination was a success.
“I lost approximately 20 pounds over the six weeks I was competing,” he said. “I tried very hard but, being in my last semester of college, I also gave myself some breaks on food and drink.”
Ultimately, O’Meara saw his participation in the competition to be beneficial on various levels and would encourage others to participate in similar programs.
“This competition helped me both physically and mentally,” he said. “At first, I didn’t want to follow such strict guidelines on food and exercise. But in a few weeks, I felt as if I had more energy to accomplish everyday tasks.”
Passing the torch
Lane also believes the competition gave her more energy, ambition and a deeper desire to stay in shape.
“Once you begin to lose weight you have a considerable increase in energy, more desire to get out there and try something new, and day to day problems don’t seem to take so much out of you” Lane said. “More importantly, once you have kept a regular schedule of exercise, you miss it when you can’t get to the gym.”
Both contestants hope to see similar competitions in the future at WSU, and they encourage staff, faculty and students to participate.
“It’s completely worth it,” O’Meara said. “The beginning of getting in shape is hard, but it gets easier – eventually you feel much healthier and recognize the benefit.”
“Live your life and tap into your inner ‘mojo,’” Lane said. “Though a healthier lifestyle is hard work, with support systems like these you can make the little changes become a new way of life.”