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IT drops 170 pounds

  • Published
  • By Gail Kulhavy
  • Information Technology Directorate
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  "My skirts are falling off and I look like a Low Rider!" exclaimed Miss Kitty, Information Technology Directorate's Resources Management Branch.
   Some people think weight loss happens to those young and active, but it also happens to many who are older and determined. For instance, Miss Kitty lost 25 pounds. And she just happens to be IT's Biggest Loser in actual weight lost.
   Fit for Life took on a very real meaning when 22 people in the Directorate embarked on a new adventure. They took on the challenge of being the IT Biggest Loser. Each paid up a $20 entry fee to carry the Biggest Loser torch across the finish line. At the end of six months, a total of 170 pounds and 66 percent body fat dropped by the wayside.
   "I feel better about myself, more comfortable with my body," said Dart, who's down 6 pounds, but 9 percent body fat. Dart got ahead of our game by actually starting her life-changing adventure several months before the actual competition began. "I have more energy for my son who's four and constantly on the go. I've changed my eating habits, which helps me pass them down to Sean so he won't grow up with food issues I had to deal with.
   "Plus, my doctor is very happy with the progress I've made during this competition because it's been a healthy weight loss and not a sudden fad diet loss."
   The competition was set up with a clear first, second and third place winner to be identified at the end of six months, but everyone did so well that IT personnel revamped their winner thinking. Personnel incorporated a total weight loss first and second place and actually replaced third place with a clear percentage of fat lost first and second place winner. But it doesn't end there. To stay in the competition, the key is to keep it off for one year.
   This gave Miss Kitty first for weight lost with $100 in prize money. Minnie came in second for $50 in winnings. Then Minnie took first in percentage of fat lost and added another $100 to her winnings. Miss Kitty and Dart pulled a tie for second place with each walking away with $25.
   There may be several winners now, but there will be only two winners come March 2008 -- the one who reached their goal over the last six months and kept it off for a year and the one who continued toward their goal and lost the most weight over the next six months.
   In the meantime, this competition has built healthy habits, changed a sense of self worth into solid self confidence, and created a rock-hard team.
   "Being part of this competition has changed my life by helping me look better, hopefully, for my sweetie -- my lovely wife, Venise," said JamMaster. "It's made me feel like part of a team. We all had something in common for the last six months. It's been nice to walk down the hallway, greet a team member, notice the person's thinner body, and be able to talk about it -- providing each other encouragement."
   If this competition has done all that in just six short months, think of what everyone will feel like at the end of a year.