By next week at this time, the Petoskey school district will be crowning its newest, biggest losers.
And it’s a lesson that will benefit students and staff beyond the classrooms and hallways.
Dozens of district staff members have been taking part in a combination weight-loss/fitness “Biggest Loser” type of contest since they returned from Christmas break in January. Seventeen teams range in members from five to 17, and are formed by staff at each of the district’s buildings.
Each week, the teams tally their weight loss and fitness efforts, which are reported by team captains to “The Commish,” as he’s referred to these days, Dave Snyder, Petoskey High School principal.
“We spice things up with extra-credit diversions like a recipe contest and we have drawings for extra points based on turning in one’s stats on time or even early,” Snyder said. “The best part of our contest is that it encourages slow and deliberate weight loss, coupled with exercise, so that there is no purging or unhealthy rollercoaster of weight loss just to win a contest.”
Each participant paid a $10 fee to enter the contest, and the top team, to be announced March 25, will donate the winnings to their already-selected charity of choice.
The effort has been lighthearted (as evidenced by the team names, see sidebar) while also sending a lesson in fitness to students and staff alike.
“Our staff is taking the weight-loss competition very seriously. We are losing weight to be healthier, but we are also raising money for a charity,” said Chad Loe, PHS social studies teacher and captain of team Saggy Pants. “That’s not to say we haven’t tried to sabotage other groups in the school by buying a plate of cookies at a bake sale and giving them to other teams. We are having fun, too.”
Loe and his seven-member group have lost 65.5 pounds to date (late February). He said the idea is one that he’d recommend to other organizations in the area.
“I would highly recommend this to other employers, as it brings people together for a common non-work-related goal. And it may even lower health insurance costs for employers,” he added. “I have enjoyed the motivation from other team members to keep working toward our common goals. I think in life we often choose the easy road, the least costly path, and yet I am finding that the sacrifice now will bring great rewards later on.”
‘Losers’ uniting
After the winning team is announced March 25, the News-Review will publish the results of the contest, which was organized with a set of rules for fair play and fun.
Family members were invited to join teams at half-price. “This provision is added this year for those of you who either need emotional support to enter this contest or have a real fitness project sitting in a Lazy Boy at home,” the rules indicate.
Points have been awarded to teams for weight loss and approved fitness activity. The team standings haven’t changed much in recent weeks as the finish date draws nearer, noted Snyder, the self-appointed commissioner of Biggest Losers.
“This is just our fun way of helping to pass this doldrums period of winter,” added The Commish, who invites comments regularly from teams like The Lifesavers and its captain Shelly Gudmunsen, Central Elementary School teacher.
Despite being in last place, still, Gudmunsen and her team pointed out their Daily Fruit Bowl Club and February’s Salad Bar Club, “which has effectively turned off the microwaves and increased the green in our staff lounge.”
“My team and I would like to defend our weekly standings. Not dispute, merely defend,” Gudmunsen wrote to The Commish. “We’ve got team members who are consistently reporting 500 points, many who earn in the 300-400 range, and a few more of us who linger in the 100-200 range. But, we are all moving, losing and eating healthier!”
The Teams
(not in order of who is in the lead)
No Pi(e)
Saggy Pants
The Dumb Belles
Vertically Challenged
Bring It!
Pound Cakes
Team M.S.
P.H.A.T.
Pound Puppies
Lifetimers
Lean Mean Losing Machine
Team Flabulous
Jelly Rolls Blues
Bob
Lean Lincoln Lightweights
Lifesavers
Wheredmeassgo