At Work participants celebrate positive changes

The Fittest Loser challenge has reached its halfway mark, and At Work participants are celebrating positive changes to both body and mind.

At the beginning of the challenge, many teams created weight-loss goals to help them stay motivated, and some are well on their way to reach those goals.

Village of Hanover Park Finance Department's "Hanover Park Net Loss" has a goal to lose 100 pounds as a team by the end of the challenge and has reached the halfway point with a 49-pound loss. Team Captain George Sullivan says, "The team is currently on schedule to reach the 100-pound weight loss plateau, but with a little more effort we hope to fly past it".

Many participants say that their clothing is feeling less snug and they have been able to drop larger sizes.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage's "Team Down-Sizers" is still positive and very motivated and Team Captain, Monica O'Byrne says, "One of the girls said that she put on a pair of jeans that has not fit her in over six months."

Jennifer Voss, team captain for Mount Prospect Park District's "The POWER Crew," says, "We took measurements and since beginning everyone is down inches, clothes are fitting better."

Weight loss isn't the main focus during this challenge and many teams are sharing stories of newly discovered strength.

Brani Rogic, team captain of "CSS Truffle Shuffle" of Common Sense Solutions says she has been staying motivated with the small victories. She adds, "I feel stronger, I lift heavier and I'm finally able to do power and sprinter situps."

Some participants are experiencing other changes to their bodies. Kimberly Caputo, team captain of "Schaumburg Shredders" of Schaumburg Park District, says, "A team member reports that he feels lighter and does not have as much joint pain since starting the Fittest Loser."

A common theme with teams is overcoming food addictions and eating more nutritious food.

Aileen Tischauser of Elk Grove Park District's "Elk Strong" says, "A team member has gone one full month not drinking Diet Mountain Dew. Another has decreased her soda intake and ALL have decreased extra sugar."

Some participants have other motivators in their life.

Claudia Lujano, team captain for Tempco Electric Heater Corp's "Guerreros Poderosos" or Powerful Warriors, has a team member that is staying motivated because "my children want me to lose weight so I can play more with them outside."

Overall, many teams are experiencing a lot of positive results and with warmer weather on the way, many are excited to use that as another advantage to help keep motivation strong for the remainder of the challenge.