Team Vance members lose more than half a ton in Biggest Loser competition

  • Published
  • By Joe B. Wiles
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  More than 1,080 pounds were lost by competitors in Vance's fourth annual Biggest Loser competition that ended April 26 with a reveal ceremony held in a packed Base Auditorium.

Thirty-eight teams consisting of 146 Team Vance members began the competition in January.

The first place team, "Fattastic 4," lost a total of 118.8 pounds, which is 12.02 percent of the team's initial weigh in. Team members were Jeremy Elmore, James Jones, Joanna Gruntmeir and Ron Posey.

Mr. Elmore also took first place among the male competitors with a weight loss of 50.8 pounds, 17.84 percent of his initial weight.

Taking first place among female competitors was Patty Phillips with a loss of 35.6 pounds, 21.14 percent of her beginning weight.

While thanking all the Biggest Loser competitors for their efforts and accomplishments, Col. Russ Mack, 71st Flying Training Wing commander, said, "Fitness is a way of life for all of us.

"The way I view fitness is simply this: it's not because the Air Force tells us we need to go out and accomplish our PT test, stay in shape and look the appropriate part as an Air Force family," Colonel Mack said. "But more importantly... it is about chasing those grandkids somewhere in the future." He pointed out that living a healthy lifestyle today makes it easier to maintain a useful life into old age.

That idea was reinforced by the guest speaker for the reveal ceremony, Todd Whitthorne, the CEO of Cooper's Concepts, part of the Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Whitthorne presented information to the audience about the positive effects of exercise on the quality and quantity of one's life.

The Cooper Institute was founded by Dr. Ken Cooper, a former Air Force doctor who invented the concept of aerobics as a fitness regimen. According to Mr. Whitthorne, Dr. Cooper's motto is "It's easier and less expensive to maintain good health than it is to regain it once it's lost."

Biggest Loser competitors were ranked based on percentage of initial body weight lost.
Finishing second place in the Biggest Loser team competition was "4XLs" - John Steurer, Michael Lavoie, David Aleshire and Kenneth Crise - losing a total of 103 pounds.

Third place went to "The Muffin Tops" - Heather and David Carn, Maggie Laws and Katherine Olson - losing a total of 63.2 pounds.

Finishing second place in the female category was Kim Winfield, losing 25.4 pounds. In third place was Heather Carn, losing 17.6 pounds.

In second place in the male category was James Jones, losing 30.2 pounds. In third place was Rob Bodick, losing 38.2 pounds.