Vance's smallest winners revealed Published April 14, 2010 By 2nd Lt. Christopher L. Buzzetta 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Vance's third annual Biggest Loser weight-loss competitors crossed the finish line 1,695 pounds lighter April 14 during the reveal ceremony in the Base Auditorium. Taking first place in the team competition was team Never Give Up, comprised of Peggy Ulmer, Amy Cummins, Maria Ackeret and Tricia Shull. Magda Caballero and Rob Hamen were the individual champions in the female and male categories. Fifty-seven teams, each made up of four contestants, competed for first, second and third place. In addition to the teams, prizes were also awarded to the top three individual winners. Rankings were determined by the highest percentage of weight lost and not the actual pounds. "This is the most weight lost in the last three years with fewer people participating," said Kellie Jensen, Fitness Program coordinator. Brent Price, former professional basketball player and spokesman for Enid E-Lose-it talked about the three Ps of success. "Purpose, passion and persistence - those are the key elements that we should stick to throughout life," he said. "Continue your journey. Don't stop here." In the team category, first place went to team Never Give Up. Ms. Ulmer, Ms. Cummins, Ms. Ackeret and Ms. Shull lost a total of 81.7 lbs or 11.34 percent of their body weight. Each member received a spa package. The first-place female winner of the Biggest Loser Competition was Ms. Caballero, who lost 29.8 lbs, or 18.88 percent of her body weight. First-place male winner was Mr. Hamen, who lost 70.5 lbs, or 18.87 percent of his body weight. For shedding the weight, both received a getaway package to Arlington, Texas. The Big Kahunas team took the second-place team category, losing 120.6 lbs. or 10.19 percent of their body weight. Team members Bill Blom, Mr. Hamen, Randy Winfield and Tom Joseph won spa packages. Sue Loving and John Ward won second place in the individual female and male category. Mrs. Loving lost 26.8 lbs. or 18.88% of her body weight while Mr. Ward lost 32.5 lbs or 13.53 percent of his body weight. The third-place winner for the team category is The Bacon/Aman Team, losing 67.7 lbs or 7.91 percent of their body weight. Team members Kenny Bacon, Wendy Bacon, Chief Master Sgt. Mark Aman and Tamela Aman each won $100 clothing gift certificates to Sears. This year's competition was different from years past. "The program's new focus was on enforcing a healthy lifestyle, not just weight loss," said Ms. Jensen. With a spotlight on healthy lifestyles, this year's program gave T-shirts to winners of the Biggest Loser Extreme point system, in addition to prizes for teams with the highest percentage of weight lost. Participants gained points for exercising, drinking water, eating fruits and vegetables and signing up with Enid's online weight loss program. The journey of a healthy lifestyle doesn't end here. The Fitness Center is having a final weight in this summer to encourage competitors to keep the weight off. "You can't do anything in life if you're unhealthy," said Stan Ralstin, Enid E-lost-It spokesman. "This must be a lifestyle change." Biggest Loser participants who lost 10 percent or more of their body weight: Steve Wilkins Bev Dezarn Patty Phillips Royce Terry Michael Lavoie Aaron Estrada Sylvia Lake Rob Hamen Sue Loving John Ward Magda Caballero Doug Stouffer Tamela Aman Maria Ackeret Amy Cummins Tricia Shull