Competition ends with weight loss

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amanda Dick
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Editor's note: This is the last in a three-part series on the Biggest Loser Competition and the Kaiserslautern Military Community members who are working to achieve a better lifestyle while losing weight.

The 86th Services Squadron announced the winner of the fourth-annual Biggest Loser Competition in a ceremony at the Southside Fitness Center here April 23.

And, the "loser" is ... Jia Elliott, wife of Tech Sgt. Rob Elliott, 435th Construction and Training Squadron command aircraft arresting systems depot B element NCOIC.

Capt. Samantha Miller, 86th SVS officer in charge of fitness, offered congratulations as she presented Mrs. Elliott with her winnings -- certificates for an exercise bike, free family portraits and monetary prizes -- as she proclaimed, "You are officially a loser."

As for Mrs. Elliott, not only was she crowned the biggest loser, she also reached her short-term weight-loss goal.

"I did make it to just the 'overweight' now; I'm not in the obese category anymore," she said, referring to her game system. "It makes it worth working for. I'm very excited."

The competition started out rough for Mrs. Elliott when she began working out with her personal trainer Staff Sgt. Christy Williams, 86th SVS fitness specialist, in January.

"We started out with a complete full-body workout to see what [Mrs. Elliott's] strengths and weaknesses were, and I looked at what she was eating," Sergeant Williams said. "We started breaking workouts down to different body parts -- each day we worked out a different body part."

As the weeks rolled on, Sergeant Williams said her goal was to teach Mrs. Elliott how to properly workout, not just to work out with her.

"I made her comfortable with doing the exercises to where if I wasn't available, she could come into the gym and do them herself," the sergeant said.

That is just what Mrs. Elliott did as she went on to lose a total of 35 pounds to become the biggest loser.

But even though Mrs. Elliott won the title, each participant walked away a champion.

"Every person who participated in the program is a winner because they are making a lifestyle change to live a healthier life," Captain Miller said. "That commitment makes them all Biggest Loser winners."

Jessica Andreasen, wife of Senior Airman Jared Andreasen, 86th Security Forces Squadron installation patrolman, lost 21.4 pounds. Naomi Voss, wife of Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs internal section NCOIC, and Capt. Eric Bailey, 86th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility nurse, each lost 19 pounds.

As the competition ended, Mrs. Elliott's personal trainer congratulated her and encouraged the mother of two to keep going to reach her ultimate goal.

"I have about 10 more realistic pounds I'd like to lose before I'm at a healthy weight," Mrs. Elliot said.

To do that, she'll work hard and apply what she's learned throughout the Biggest Loser Competition.

The competition began Jan. 11, with the goal of helping participants learn how to lose weight in a healthful manner.

"It gives them the knowledge on what they need to do to lose weight and stay healthy," Sergeant Williams said. "When you actually take it slower and lose weight properly by doing regular work outs, cardio and watching what you eat -- that's more long term. So, it's more like a life change instead of going on a diet. It's important because you live longer, feel better and are able to do more things and have more energy."