'Loser' Announced in Weight Loss Competition
Holly Carter
Issue date: 11/23/09 Section: News
Henderson recently wrapped up its Biggest Loser competition. Nashville native D. J. Graham lost over 27 pounds and won the six-week trial.
Graham and 62 others participated in the competition, which began on Oct. 5 and finished on Nov. 16. Participants were required to work out three hours a week and weigh-in every Monday to remain eligible. The competition was based on the percentage of weight each contestant lost.
"I knew going in that anywhere from 10 to 12 percent would give me a shot to win," Graham said. "I just had to do my part to get there." Graham ended up losing 11.52 percent. This competition was the first Biggest Loser held at Henderson, but the Director of Campus Recreation Kris Dunn plans to hold the competition once a semester.
"This time around it was more of an individual, push yourself kind of thing," Dunn said. "Next time, we're going to require you to come to some boot camp type courses." The competition was opened up to all faculty, staff members and students.
The total weight loss of the students added up to more than 250 pounds. "I'm really proud of all of the participants," Dunn said. "They all made an effort to try and change their lives."
Graham trailed the competition for most of the six weeks. He held off the competitors during the last week by losing six pounds, bringing his overall total weight loss to 27.75 pounds.
Second place went to a competitor who lost 23 pounds, which totaled up to 11.25 percent of his weight. The third place finisher lost 25 pounds and that totaled up to 11.05 percent of his weight. The top three Biggest Loser finishers received prize money.
"The competition was tough, but that is what it is all about," said Graham. "There were some big numbers thrown in there in the closing weeks. Hats off to the other competitors, for their weight loss. That's a life changing experience for them."
The competition remained very close into the last weeks. Graham spent many hours in the gym and tried a few tricks of his own.
And his tricks paid off in the end. During the last week of the competition, Graham began working out in a garbage bag. The garbage bag acts like a sweat suit and wearing it works up a large sweat.
According to Graham, this helped him shed the last few pounds.
"I looked like I had just got out of a swimming pool when I left the gym sometimes," Graham said. Graham also focused on changing his diet. He watched the number of calories he took in daily. He aimed to burn more calories than he consumed.
Dunn was very pleased with the overall outcome. He believes that the competition was beneficial to all of the contestants. Dunn considers it a confidence-building experience for the contestants. The participants feel the same.
"I'm just happy to be living a healthy lifestyle," Graham said. "I got my life back on track, and I'm going to benefit from that in the long run."
Graham and 62 others participated in the competition, which began on Oct. 5 and finished on Nov. 16. Participants were required to work out three hours a week and weigh-in every Monday to remain eligible. The competition was based on the percentage of weight each contestant lost.
"I knew going in that anywhere from 10 to 12 percent would give me a shot to win," Graham said. "I just had to do my part to get there." Graham ended up losing 11.52 percent. This competition was the first Biggest Loser held at Henderson, but the Director of Campus Recreation Kris Dunn plans to hold the competition once a semester.
"This time around it was more of an individual, push yourself kind of thing," Dunn said. "Next time, we're going to require you to come to some boot camp type courses." The competition was opened up to all faculty, staff members and students.
The total weight loss of the students added up to more than 250 pounds. "I'm really proud of all of the participants," Dunn said. "They all made an effort to try and change their lives."
Graham trailed the competition for most of the six weeks. He held off the competitors during the last week by losing six pounds, bringing his overall total weight loss to 27.75 pounds.
Second place went to a competitor who lost 23 pounds, which totaled up to 11.25 percent of his weight. The third place finisher lost 25 pounds and that totaled up to 11.05 percent of his weight. The top three Biggest Loser finishers received prize money.
"The competition was tough, but that is what it is all about," said Graham. "There were some big numbers thrown in there in the closing weeks. Hats off to the other competitors, for their weight loss. That's a life changing experience for them."
The competition remained very close into the last weeks. Graham spent many hours in the gym and tried a few tricks of his own.
And his tricks paid off in the end. During the last week of the competition, Graham began working out in a garbage bag. The garbage bag acts like a sweat suit and wearing it works up a large sweat.
According to Graham, this helped him shed the last few pounds.
"I looked like I had just got out of a swimming pool when I left the gym sometimes," Graham said. Graham also focused on changing his diet. He watched the number of calories he took in daily. He aimed to burn more calories than he consumed.
Dunn was very pleased with the overall outcome. He believes that the competition was beneficial to all of the contestants. Dunn considers it a confidence-building experience for the contestants. The participants feel the same.
"I'm just happy to be living a healthy lifestyle," Graham said. "I got my life back on track, and I'm going to benefit from that in the long run."
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