Who will win the 8th Fittest Loser Challenge tonight?
Three months of grueling workouts and strict nutrition plans will come to an end Tuesday night for the five Daily Herald readers who've gone all-in during the eighth annual Fittest Loser Challenge.
The contestants will find out which of them lost the highest percentage of weight and showed a the biggest improvement in their overall health, earning the title of Fittest Loser and plenty of prizes.
The finale party kicks off at 6 p.m. at Chandler's Banquets, 401 N. Roselle Road, at the Schaumburg Golf Club.
The Fittest Loser Challenge, co-sponsored by the Daily Herald and Push Fitness in Schaumburg, followed the five contestants on a 12-week weight-loss journey. They are Jiten Patel, 41, of Hoffman Estates; Sharon Miller, 59, of Elk Grove Village; Janet Ford, 51, of Elk Grove Village; Kathrine Couston, 57, of Schaumburg; and Mel Boldt, 45, of Rolling Meadows.
Each signed up to make a positive change in their lives, taking on challenges sometimes outside their comfort zones, like running in the DuPage Human Race 5K and Walk earlier this month and enduring "boot camps" every Saturday morning for the past three months.
Each contestant also worked out with a personal trainer at Push Fitness three times a week.
The winner of the Fittest Loser At Work Challenge also will be announced.
A staggering 295 people spread out over 57 teams of co-workers from across the suburbs competed, the most in the event's four-year history.
The winning team in the Fittest Loser At Work Challenge will get $2,000 donated by sponsor Assurance and the Daily Herald to give to their charity of choice.
Each member of the winning team will get prizes valued at more than $200.
The public is invited to attend the finale. Admission is $15 per person, and includes two drinks, light appetizers and a goody bag.
For more information on the Fittest Loser Challenge and tonight's finale party, visit events.dailyherald.com/fittest-loser/flfinale/.