Special weight loss challenge has been 'fun, but not funny'

At last, a report that is fun to write. The results of the 2008 Gene Smith Administrative Coordinator’s Weight Loss Challenge are in.

In the men’s division, seven of the eight original participants weighed in for the last time on April 24. All seven lost weight.

They went from 1,752 pounds to 1,623 pounds for a total loss of 129 pounds — a loss of 7.33 percent of their combined weight. The top three loss leaders had individual losses ranging from 16 to 59 pounds.

In the women’s division, 12 of the 26 original participants weighed in. Cumulatively, they lost 116 pounds going from a total Jan. 3 weight of 2,457 pounds to 2,341 pounds — a loss of 4.73 percent of their combined weight. The top three loss leaders had individual losses ranging from 15 to 37 pounds.

Please take special note that four of the six greatest losers came from the same department. I understand that made a positive experience out of a real challenge.


As someone who has been overweight for most of his life, I have learned to use humor and sarcasm to hide an issue.

I am refraining from making an attempt at humor in reporting on this experience. I believe this challenge has been fun — but not funny. Not all of us were successful, but everyone’s intentions were admirable.

I think that we all can be proud of accepting a challenge, and I hope that others will join next year as we think about a healthier lifestyle, a lifestyle in which we gain by losing.