At Work teams discover strength, friendship through challenges

Posted April 01, 2018 7:10 am

By Kat Polomsky kpolomsky@dailyherald.com

Team Fighters of Turco Roofing enjoy Pineapple Fried Veggies during a healthy cooking demo at Cooking Skills Academy. From left to right, Barry Gardner, Maura Velazquez and Carlos Velazquez. Courtesy of Turco Roofing's Team Fighters

With more than 300 participants contending for the title of Fittest Loser, every point counts. Even though overall weight loss is the main goal of the competition, teams also are rewarded by attending challenge activities.

These challenges are provided by sponsors, including Cooking Skills Academy, Amita Health, Fitness Factory and more, and offer a wide variety of activities, including Tabata, meditation, kettle bell and nutrition classes, to name a few.

Some activities have as few as 5 to 10 participants, allowing a greater opportunity for individual interaction between instructor and student. After participating in classes from Fitness Factory, Mary Pamela Meehan of Waukegan Secretary of State Office's Thinner Winner says, "The instructor, Fred, did an excellent job and I was really encouraged by his talk. This was a very rewarding event!"

Other activities, like the Zumba Party at the Elk Grove Park District's Fitness Pavilion, attracted more than 50 participants, giving an opportunity for teams to meet others competing while showing off their team spirit. Lisa Fiveash of We 5 Losers said it was amazing how many new people she's seen at each of the challenge events, adding that the number of teams competing truly motivates her team.

The camaraderie extends to our Facebook group page, as participants share their experiences during the challenge and receive motivating words of encouragement from teammates and other teams, while strengthening and forming new friendships.

Participants find that attending events together brings them closer as a team. After attending the Indoor 5K at the Elk Grove Fitness Pavilion, Adriana Eloiza of District 214's WildPhats said, "Some of us walked and some of us ran, but we kept going until the last member finished. It felt as if the 5K Challenge solidified us as a team."

From left to right, Sandra Picasso, Sharon Korecki, Natalya Khasina, Ron McCormick and Chris Thill of New Dimensions of The Salvation Army show off some swagger before the Indoor 5K. Courtesy of New Dimensions of The Salvation Army

From left to right, Heather Winandy, Kelsey Bowen and Brooke Truman of Team RSM - 0BS Lbs practice mudras before a meditation class at the Elk Grove Park District's Fitness Pavilion. Courtesy of Team RSM - 0BS Lbs

Not only is Aileen Tischauser a team captain for Elk Strong, she is also a trainer at the Elk Grove Park District's Fitness Pavilion. On stage, Aileen instructs teams how to have fun dancing while boosting strength during the park district's Zumba Party. Courtesy of Team Elk Strong

From left to right, Kelli Aiardo, Ellen Ramirez and team captain Carolyna Castaneda of Healthy Heroes of DRF Trusted Property Solutions get together for a quick huddle during the Zumba Party. Courtesy of Healthy Heroes of DRF Trusted Property Solutions

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