Trends: Biggest Loser Clubs in First Coast Companies

By Julia Crowley First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Most Tuesday nights millions of Americans tune-in to see how much weight will be shed on the "Biggest Loser" on NBC. The life changing transformations mesmerize the audience and inspire people at home to start their own weight loss challenge.

Americans as a whole have a bigger waistband than ever. So weight loss is on the minds of many people.

The popularity of the show and the desire to get healthy has prompted several First Coast companies to start their own Biggest Loser Challenges.

"We asked our employees what their interest are," says Jim Dalton, owner of the Dalton Agency. "The three things that came up were health, faith and pets."

So the agency decided to start a biggest loser competition for three months and base the winners on the biggest percentage of weight loss (just like the show).

"I decided t put up some cash to entice people to do it," says Dalton. "It was $500 for the male and female who lost the most weight. We also had a secondary drawing for anyone who lost at least 5 pounds. We drew a winner for another $500."

The spirit of competition inspired Michele Querry at the Dalton Agency to take part in the challenge.

"There was a real camaraderie surrounding the competition," says Querry. "So to not be involved in it made you feel like you weren't part of everything."

In the three months, Querry lost 9% of her body weight. That was about 18 pounds and enough to be the biggest loser among the women at the agency.

She says trying to lose weight with her co-workers really helped. "We could stay focused and talk about it," says Querry. "Plus we would challenge each other saying, 'are you really going to eat that cookie.'"

The weekly weigh-ins at work also hold the people accountable.

That's what keeps the weight loss going at Renaissance Creative on Jacksonville's Southside.

"We can challenge each other to make better decisions and keep each other motivated," says Katie Garson, who has lost four pounds so far in the work challenge.

The group weighs in together every Monday. "They are supportive and say 'good job' or 'you're looking good'," says Kate Norton who is also doing the biggest loser challenge at Renaissance Creative.

The employees even work out together. And the company planned a rock climbing adventure during work hours for the employees.

Kerry Sullivan at Renaissance Creative, says they use a computer calendar program to track the days they work out. The workout days are in blue and the days without exercise are in white. "So if I see only a couple of box days in a week then I know I need to do better and workout more," says Sullivan.

"We work very hard around here, says Matt Britt, V.P. at Renaissance Creative. "When you are working very hard you don't have time to get out and exercise." Britt says this competition is a way for the company and the employees to put a focus back on being healthy.

"The healthier we are, the healthier the company will be," says Britt.

So to encourage the employees to get fit, Renaissance Creative is offering a day off and $100 for the person who losses the most weight.

Many of us spend more time during the week with our co-workers than our family or friends. So it's easy to see why creating a support system at work can help with weight loss.

You don't have to work at one of the these companies to do a Biggest Loser Club. NBC offers an online club you can sign up for. It includes customized meal and fitness plans. It also includes interaction with past contestants on the show.

Are you in a Biggest Loser club? Why not gather your club together and submit a before/after photo as part of our First Coast's Biggest Loser Contest. Check it out HERE.

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