Fittest Loser contestants' lives changed with help of local businesses

The finale night of the Fittest Loser Challenge was a big party! Celebrating along with the challengers were the sponsors, who shared information about ways to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.

Ruth Davis of Amita Health spoke of the concerns of obesity in this country and of Dr. Anthony Auriemma's work through Amita Health Weight Loss Solutions. Auriemma oversaw all the pre- and post-testing for both the contestants and At Work competitors.

Assurance, an independent insurance brokerage that believes in maximizing health to minimize risks, was there to cheer on contestants. The brokerage also promotes good health within the company.

“We sponsor a 5K and 93 percent of our employees participated,” said Stephanie Paulauskis, Assurance marketing and communications manager. “The first time I did it I was a bit nervous but it felt so good to finish. It was such a sense of accomplishment.”

Assurance offered free webinars to motivate challengers. Team captains were invited to an after-the-challenge event that included a morning of yoga sculpt followed by a healthy breakfast and a discussion of corporate wellness.

Regina Verdico of Deer Park Town Center looked forward to the big reveal since shops at Deer Park contributed to the makeovers.

“Three of our stores provided clothing: Jos. A. Bank, Chico's and Talbots,” Verdico said.

Bonnie Conte of Avalon Salon & Spa was responsible for hair, makeup and nails.

For Bob Coniglio, a haircut wasn't much of a prize, said the balding winner. Instead, he opted to try his first pedicure and manicure.

“I did enjoy it,” he said. “Everyone there was really nice and explained everything while they went along.”

Would he have another pedicure?

“I would as long as there weren't any cameras there,” he joked.

Deer Park Town Center, Avalon Salon and Spa and the Gap also contributed to the prize packages.

Jeff Schoeps and Eric Maines of Marquardt of Barrington Buick GMC were offering the dealership's traditional red licorice along with information about their Buick and GMC product lines. They also shared information about the Drive for 50 program that promotes student athletic programs in Barrington. With every test drive, the dealership donates $50.

“Marquardt Buick recently donated $10,000 to sports boosters,” Maines said.

Making the trip in from Geneva were Brandon Pettigrew and Joanna Magdeleno of the Northern Illinois Food Bank. The event gave Pettigrew the opportunity to talk with the Fittest Loser participants about the Food Bank's Foodie 5K and the nutritional programs they offer.

“Sixty-two percent of our hungry neighbors have to choose whether to buy food for their families or medicine,” said Pettigrew. “Thirty percent have diabetes and one out of three suffer from hypertension.”

Joanna Magdeleno is an AmeriCorps Vista team member who has been working with the Roselle Methodist Church to expand its food pantry.

Matt Gorsuch of PPF Sport Science located in Lake County demonstrated the 10-in-one Platform Trainer for the challengers. He showed how quickly you could set it up and how easy it was to fold down for storage. The 10-in-one allows for 10 different exercises on one platform trainer.

“Equipment like this is usually geared for 250 pounds,” he said. “Ours will handle 800 pounds.”

PPF Sports Science donated 10-in-one Platform Trainers to the second-prize winners in the At Work team challenge.

One of the most popular booths had to be Whole Foods Schaumburg. The popular specialty grocer was handing out samples of three of their popular salads: a chicken with beans, citrus dressed kale and a quinoa salad.

Sampling was Sharon Wilmes of Team MK Pound Droppers, one of 86 tams to take part in the 12-week challenge.

“I am always a little leery of kale,” she said. “I have to say I like the chicken and bean salad the best, but I would recommend all of them, including the kale.”

Whole Foods gave healthy tours of the store and provided gift cards for the third place At Work challengers.

At the next booth, Dick Pond Athletics' Nick Hurley was busy talking shoes to challengers. The staff was busy demonstrating the effects of a roller.

One woman commented on how much she enjoyed doing a free Dick Pond 10-week Walk to Run program that helps people train for distance races.

Dick Pond provided shoes for the five Fittest Loser contestants and awarded a pair of running shoes and Superfeet Insoles to each of the first-prize winners of the At Work challenge.

Carlo Duarte was busy answering questions about Biggest Loser Resort Chicago, located in Itasca. The popular resort not only provided opportunities for the challengers to come to the resort for workouts through the competition, it also awarded a one-week stay to the individual At Work winner, Jason Gray.

“Everyone who came to the resort loved it,” said Duarte. “They really enjoyed getting a glimpse of what we have to offer.”

Sponsor Links Technology Inc. didn't have a booth. Instead, it chose to give up its space to the Heart of a Marine Foundation, a group that provides assistance to wounded military personnel and veterans, as well as comfort and support for active duty military and their families. The foundation was promoting its Heroes Mud Run that took place May 24 at Marmion Military Academy/Abbey Farms.

Links Technology sponsored the $500 award to the second-place At Work winners, which will be donated to the charity of their choice.

Alejandro Mendoza of Harper College was promoting health education. “We offer two certifications, one in personal training and one in coaching,” he said.

This was Tracy Renacido's second year at the Fittest Loser event, representing Roosevelt University's College of Pharmacy. “It was so much fun last year,” said Renacido. “Everyone knew how hard the finalists had worked and they really cheered them on.”

No one was more excited for the finalists than Push Fitness owner Joshua Steckler. Through the efforts of his staff, the finalists lost a total of 250 pounds. It was a close competition with the lead changing six times.

“This was a really good group this year,” said Steckler. “No one ever gave up.”

Before the finalists made their big reveal, there was a video of them before they started the challenge. Mike Erickson of Novatoo Audiovisual coordinated the sights and sound.

“It's always important to us to have an active involvement in our community,” Erickson said.

It couldn't be a party without great food and drinks. Chandler's Banquets, along with Moretti's restaurant, put on a beautiful buffet of healthy appetizers, followed by a bountiful spread of fresh fruit and flavorful sorbets.

As the challengers walked out with goody bags in hand, many commented on what a great night it was. A big thanks to the sponsors who made it happen.