Weight Loss Challenge 2009
Winners Redesign their Lifestyle
While a treadmill in the living room might not make the list of Top 10 decorator tips, this was one of many life-changing steps that Dan and Tiffany Cross took in their 12-week trek to win the Avera McKennan Community Weight Loss Challenge.
The Challenge, based on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," ended July 31. Participants lost a combined total of 7,500 pounds and, most importantly, took positive steps toward a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle.
Tiffany, an RN at Avera McKennan, heard about the Challenge at work and shared the idea with her husband. "We decided if we were going to do it, we were going to set a goal and do our best to reach it," she said. Dan and Tiffany both succeeded in losing 20% of their total body weight. Dan lost 80 pounds and Tiffany, 25.
The Crosses made a number of lifestyle changes that began with bringing their treadmill upstairs from the basement to the living room. "It was really hard to go downstairs, work out and just stare at the wall while the rest of the family was upstairs," Tiffany said. So now, even if she's working out on the treadmill, she feels like she's with her family.
The couple added more activity to their daily lifestyle in other ways, like riding bikes the 4 miles around the farm section they live on. Tiffany decided to join the Avera McKennan Fitness Center. Dan increased the size of his garden, and started spending more time tending it. "The garden looks spotless," Tiffany said.
Diet was the other big area of lifestyle change. "We did not eat out at all," Tiffany said. While it's possible to make healthy choices while eating out, "we wanted to stay away from temptation." They ate more turkey and chicken instead of red meats, even turkey sausage. "We also got rid of the junk food and starting keeping a lot more fruits and vegetables around the house," Tiffany said.
As Dan and Tiffany progressed through the Challenge, they were cheered on by their two children, Makayla, 3, and especially, Trevon, 7, who wanted to win a Wii - the prize given to the winning team. "He was always watching what we ate and encouraging us to exercise," Tiffany said.
While the changes seemed to be drastic at first, the Crosses believe they'll be able to stay on track and keep the weight off. Even though the Challenge is over, "the treadmill is still in the living room," Tiffany said.
The summer of 2009 was the second annual Avera McKennan Community Weight Loss Challenge. Highlights included a kickoff event with Ali Vincent, the first female "Biggest Loser" from the hit show on NBC, a web-based community with weekly communications and blogging, and seminars and events. Weight loss and healthy living tips are still available at the Avera McKennan Challenge website.
