Articles filed under Fittest Loser

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Sponsors help make Fittest Loser challenge a success May 16, 2013 12:00 AM
It took time, money and lots of community effort to make the campaign a success. In the end, each of the Daily Herald’s 2013 Fittest Loser challenge sponsors carried their weight in gold. More than a dozen businesses donated their products and services or offered financial assistance to this year’s Fittest Loser challenge, a 12-week campaign for healthier living.
Fittest Loser awards ceremony attracts a crowd May 16, 2013 12:00 AM
They came. They saw. They witnessed a transformation. Roughly 400 people flocked to the Daily Herald’s 2013 Fittest Loser awards ceremony on May 1 to see how six people from the Chicago suburbs have conquered their battle with weight loss.
Determined Fittest Loser participant turns life around May 16, 2013 12:00 AM
On a recent day off from work, I accidentally walked 12 miles. You read that right: 12 miles. Accidentally. I had some errands to run; when I returned home, the weather was gorgeous and I couldn’t resist taking some laps around the neighborhood. The weird thing was that it felt almost effortless. I felt energized, not exhausted. It’s a far cry from where I started the Fittest Loser journey a little more than three months ago.
Final results for Fittest Loser contestants — in order of placeMay 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Final statistics for the Fittest Loser contestants.
She's savoring 'incredible, life-changing gift' May 6, 2013 12:00 AM
It's hard to believe how much things have changed since I started this Fittest Loser journey three months ago. I was a sedentary 44-year-old ex-smoker whose diet was mostly grilled cheese sandwiches and frozen pizza. Looking back actually makes me cringe a little and wonder what the heck I was thinking. (Except the ex-smoker part. That was a good choice.) But that's all changed.
Schaumburg’s Waist Management wins team challenge May 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Family members and friends of Schaumburg Park District's Waist Management team erupted into cheers and applause as the team was announced the 2013 Fittest Loser Community Challenge winner at the Fittest Loser Celebration held May 1. To seal the victory, the team lost a collective 133.6 pounds, 15.02 percent of their total starting weight. The team, consisting of team members Melissa Long, Linda Lozar, Ed Montoya and Ed Poczatek, came to the stage noticeably thinner than when they started.
Fittest Loser contestants look ahead to new lifestyles May 6, 2013 12:00 AM
There wasn't much blood. But there were buckets of sweat, some tears and a fair amount of initial protest from their aching bodies. But in the end, the six contestants of the Daily Herald's 2013 Fittest Loser competition dropped a combined total of 266 pounds. It wasn't easy. The journey was demanding and temptation taunted them daily, but these six weight-loss champions showed their community that determination and hard work produces results.
Editorial: A healthy dose of inspirationMay 3, 2013 12:00 AM
The focus and determination of the participants in the Daily Herald's Fittest Loser Challenge are examples of how to go about reaching toward all sorts of personal goals, an editorial says.
Carol Stream social worker sets Fittest Loser record May 1, 2013 12:00 AM
Determination and drive led Marianne Costales-Roman of Carol Stream to not only win the Daily Herald's 2013 Fittest Loser competition Wednesday but also set a record. The 38-year-old wife, mother and high school social worker lost 60 pounds — 27 percent of her original body weight — over the course of the 12-week competition. She dropped from 222 to 162 pounds.
Contestants learn valuable lessons for the future Apr 29, 2013 12:00 AM
When the Fittest Loser Challenge began 12 weeks ago, the six contestants were eager to lose weight and improve their health. They were also a little wary of what their trainers had in store. Now that it's almost over, they can all say they've accomplished most of their goals and tapped into inner reserves they didn't realize they had. The competitors talk about what they've learned and what they're taking away from the experience.
Team members enjoyed chance to get healthy Apr 29, 2013 12:00 AM
The Community Challenge teams came to their final weigh-in visibly healthier and noticeably thinner than they were at the initial weigh-in 12 weeks ago. The results of the weigh-in provided by the Academy of Athletic Advancement and health screening conducted by nurses from Alexian Brothers Health System attested to the participants' improved health.
Becoming fit has been a real education Apr 29, 2013 12:00 AM
During Fittest Loser boot camp on a recent Saturday morning, I did a whole bunch of sit-ups. I didn't keep count, but I'm pretty sure it was probably about 76 kajillion. Somewhere around the 50 kajillion mark, Push Fitness trainer Wade Merrill, who was leading the boot camp, asked me if I was having fun. "Yes," I told him. And I was being honest.
Status report for the Fittest Loser contestants Apr 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Fittest Loser vital statistics - Week 11
Sacrificing certainly no fun, but it's worth it Apr 22, 2013 12:00 AM
A friend of mine — who lives out of state but has been keeping up with my progress by reading my columns — asked me a funny question the other day about my Fittest Loser journey. "I really expected you to be a lot more whiny," she said (Fair point. I expected me to be more whiny, too.) "How are you staying so cheerful about it all?"
Community team members ready for final weigh-in Apr 22, 2013 12:00 AM
It's a big day for the Community Challenge. Today is the final weigh-in for the Community Challenge teams and they will repeat the tests they took 12 weeks ago. Though only one winning team will be announced at the Fittest Loser celebration on May 1, many teams report that no matter the outcome of the final weigh-in, everyone who participated in the Community Challenge is a winner.
Trainer looking for ‘maximum results’ Apr 22, 2013 12:00 AM
With the competition nearing the end, trainer Josh Steckler has made things easy for Melynda. "Her diet has been completely streamlined," Steckler says. "No extra sugars, no dairy, low sodium and lots of water."
Fittest Loser trainers keeping contestants focusedApr 22, 2013 12:00 AM
Just a little more than a week remains until the winner of the 2013 Fittest Loser Challenge is crowned, and the Push Fitness trainers are geared up for a strong finish. The competition culminates on Wednesday, May 1, when the winner is named at Victoria in the Park in Mount Prospect. While they won't divulge the specifics of their plans, the six trainers offer a glimpse of what's in store for each of the contestants.
Danni Allen to sing at Libertyville cancer care benefit concert Apr 17, 2013 12:00 AM
Besides a determination to get healthy and lose weight, Wheeling resident Danni Alen can carry a tune. The winning contestant on NBC's "The Biggest Loser" television show will sing lead on a several songs Saturday at a benefit concert at the Fuel Room in Libertyville.
Team members looking ahead Apr 15, 2013 12:00 AM
With the final weigh-ins just around the corner, the Community Challenge team members are thinking ahead to the end of the competition. While some team members are confident that they will stick to their new lifestyle for good, others are wondering how the conclusion of the challenge is going to affect their motivation.
She has a new-found love — spinach Apr 15, 2013 12:00 AM
There was very nearly a food emergency at my house last week. While I was at work one night, I got a troubling text message from the boyfriend, who was picking up a few groceries: "Is there a baby spinach shortage I don't know about? I've been to three stores, and I can't find it." I can't be without spinach. I eat a lot of spinach.