Get fit winners announced

Winners of this year’s Get Fit Stay Fit Challenge sponsored by Sidney Regional Medical Center and the Cheyenne County Community Center were announced at the Health and Wellness Fair on April 20.

According to Kiersten Richards, the Cheyenne County Community Center Activities Director and a coordinator of the event, participants lost a total of 592 pounds lost from January to April.

There werer both male and female categories this year, and the winners in each earned a trip to Estes Park valued at $500.

Second place male and female winners received a six-month single adult membership to the community center, and third place winners were given a fitness pack valued at $100.

The grand prize female winner was Jennifer Witte, and the male winner was Wes Runge.

Second place went to Janet Rosenbaum and Steve Elmshauser, and third place winners were Kristen Narjes and Greg Stevens.

“The challenge turned out great. We had a total of 592 lbs lost this year during the challenge, which beat our number last year and is great in three and a half months.” said Ashley Houtwed, another event coordinator and Sidney RMC’s Director of Nutrition Services.

“It really turned out well,” Richards agreed. “We had 110 participants and had more attendance this year in our races than previously, and we got back great comments about this year’s challenge.

“We also had a really good turnout for total weight lost with all participants,” she said.

Houtwed said that Witte lost 15.1 percent of her body weight (34 pounds) during the challenge, and Runge lost 13.9 percent of his, losing a total of 43 pounds over the couple of months.

“We are very happy with the results and feel like we are hopefully making a positive impact on our community in leading towards healthier lifestyles,” said Richards.

Houtwed said that although more combined weight had been lost in a previous challenge, over the past four years participants have lost a total of 2306 pounds combined.

She also said that in 2011 when the group lost a total of 798 pounds that some participants had big weight losses that year.

Richards pointed out that her team is already looking forward to next year’s challenge, and said that they “always are shooting for bigger and better.

“We learn from trial and error what to improve on each year we go forth,” she said. “But we are still in planning so we don’t have any set changes in place thus far for next year.”

Both Houtwed and Richards said that one aspect of the challenge they would change if they could is the turnout at weigh-ins and races.

“We were hoping for a few more to weigh in at the end of the challenge, but those that did had great results so that was a huge success,” said Houtwed.

“We always agree that we would like more participation in the weigh-ins,” said Richards.

“I would also really like to see more people turn out for the races but we understand people are busy and other things come up at the last minute, so we are just glad to be able to have the races we do have for the community.”

Houtwed explained that all the participants seemed very happy with their results at the end of the challenge.

“I think everyone was surprised with how much they could accomplish in a short period of time,” she said.

“The participants that weighed in at the end were very excited with the amount of weight they had lost, and the winners were very surprised and excited with their accomplishments!”

Richards said that her team will be sending out surveys to all of the participants so that she can receive feedback on what participants liked or didn’t like about the challenge and what could be improved upon.

This year the new male and female categories had been created from a recommendation that a participant had made last year, she said.

Houtwed said that she thinks the motivation of the challenge and weigh-ins really helped participants during the challenge this year.

“I think for the ones that completed the challenge and had great results, they were very motivated personally and with a little boost from us were able to stick with it and meet their goals,” she said.

“We try and target each and every participant with the challenges and also the informational emails that we send out,” said Richards. “Also we try and explain to them what all their numbers mean when we weigh them in.

“We also get emails sent to the Get Fit email and we try and answer those to the best of our knowledge and if we don’t have the correct answer we will make sure to use our resources and find it.”

Both Richards and Houtwed said that it was exciting to see the positive changes that their participants made over the challenge.

“It’s always exciting to see people bettering themselves and feeling good about themselves,” said Richards.

“I always love the last weigh-in to see how well everyone does,” said Houtwed. “It’s fun during the challenge to see them at the gym working out and hard. Then I always get excited for them when they come to get on the scale to see the progress they have made.”

The two said that even though at times Get Fit Stay Fit is challenging to participants, with the right amount of dedication and hard work they can achieve healthy lifestyle changes.

“The hardest thing with weight loss is to stay motivated and make healthy changes,” said Houtwed.

“Stick with it It is not a quick fix, but a lifestyle change. Have the patience to keep up with it and please come to us for any help you may need,” said Richards.

“Staying focused on why they started and why they want to lose weight is key on succeeding,” Houtwed continued. “The Get Fit committee is here to motivate and give fitness and nutrition advice, but the participant is the one that does all the work and makes the difference.”

Richards and Houtwed also said that they are both confident that their participants can keep up with their change.

“If the changes they made are realistic and healthy to stick with the rest of their life, they can keep up with the lifestyle change,” said Houtwed.

“If they use the tolls they have been given, they absolutely can.” added Richards.

“It just takes a little bit of discipline, dedication and a lot of hard work,” she said. “If a person is willing to change and make the changes that need to be done, they will absolutely succeed.”

Houtwed said that although the challenge is technically over, the challenge to stay healthy and fit is never over.

“The challenge is a great way for individuals who need just a little motivation and push to get started with their weight loss journey,” she said. “Even though the challenge is over, the purpose of it is to provide the participants with the tools and education they need to make changes and ‘stay fit’ for the rest of their life.”

“We are really proud of not only our winners, but everyone who puts forth the effort to work towards a healthier lifestyle,” said Richards.

Even though the challenge is over, an additional race, The Polar Bear Thaw, will be held this Saturday, May 4 at 4:30 p.m. starting at Sidney Regional Medical Center.

This race is to take the place of the January race that was canceled.

Both Houtwed and Richards said that they are excited for the race and hope to see a great turnout.

“It will be our last race until November and the weather is supposed to be nice!” said Houtwed.

“Roar,” added Richards.