In January, Adam Elkins completed a full body scan and weighed in at 240 pounds. Six months and 54.1 pounds later, he is the male winner of the first local Biggest Loser weight loss competition; a challenge which required participants to lose at least 20 percent of their body weight.

 

He credits Jesus, his wife and Healthy Bridgeport, sponsor of the free weight loss challenge. The group offered ongoing support and through social media and the Healthy Bridgeport app, delivered nutrition, exercise and overall health tips. Some of it was eye-opening.

 

“I can honestly say that I have never had a balanced diet until this challenge,” he said. “I never even ate any greens until recently.”

Elkins swapped out his diet of pizza, burgers, steak, macaroni and cheese and fried chicken for healthier choices.

 

“My wife would get up before me and make me an egg white sandwich. Throughout the rest of the morning, I would eat a banana and a Kind bar or Cliff bar. For lunch, I would eat the biggest meal of the day which usually consisted of grilled chicken or salmon with greens. For dinner, I would usually eat light – maybe a bowl of oatmeal.”

His new eating habits combined with 30 to 45 minutes of exercise three to four times per week, brought quick success.

 

“The weight flew off me at first. By March 15, I had already hit my goal of 205 pounds,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

 

Just two weeks later, he experienced a setback.

 

“I was rear-ended on I-64 by another motorist, traveling close to 40 miles per hour. I had never experienced back pain before, but this literally crippled me until early June,” Elkins said. “I was going to physical therapy two to three times a week to stretch out my back. I even had to call the ambulance one weekend to take me to the ER because my back had completely gone out on me and I couldn’t get off the floor.”

 

Determined to finish out the program strong, he had to make some adjustments to his fitness regimen.

 

“Instead of running for 20 to 30 minutes, I would walk for about an hour four to five times a week,” he said. “I continued to eat a balanced diet and when I weighed in on June 14, I was down to 185 pounds.”

 

Winning a top prize of $2,500 was great, but that wasn’t even the biggest reward. He had accomplished a goal in the making for several years.

 

“When we had our first child almost seven years ago, my life changed instantly as soon as I laid my eyes on him. I wanted to be the best version of myself and be a good father,” Elkins said.

The first phase of that transformation came within the next year.

 

“I caught him picking up one of my cigarette butts off our patio and he put it up to his mouth. He wanted to be like his dad,” Elkins said. “I quit smoking that day and have not smoked since.”

 

The smoking cessation unfortunately brought more weight gain, a problem he didn’t ignore, but just didn’t combine the right eating plan with the right exercise plan.

 

Elkins works for the West Virginia Highway Division as a project engineer for Kokosing Contruction. He loves to fish and recently picked up golf and biking as additional hobbies.

 

"Most of all, I love spending time with family," he said, referring to Jessica and their children 4-year-old Abigail and 7-year-old Aiden.

 

He is grateful that Healthy Bridgeport helped him develop these good habits.

 

“I plan to keep eating right and stay active. I am thankful for having a wife to support me and motivate me,” said Elkins about his wife Jessica, who actually entered the program alongside of him and successfully lost more than 10 percent of her own body weight.

 

“I am thankful to be a father. I am thankful for this community and this program. Most of all, I am thankful for Jesus Christ,” he said.

Elkins shared a bible verse in which he certainly lives by: Philippians 4:13: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

 

Though not biblical, it is also true he said, "that you cannot outrun a bad diet."

 

Elkins and other winners of the Biggest Loser and 10% Takedown challenges were awarded with prizes after the Bridge to Health 5K Festival, held June 24. At that time, it was announced that Healthy Bridgeport was transitioning into Health Games, The Encore, and would be taking the next weight loss challenges countywide. Anyone in Harrison County who aspires to lose 10 or 20 percent - or more – of their body weight is welcome and encouraged to participate.

 

The initial weigh-ins will be held sometime in July. More details are forthcoming. In the meantime, stay up to date on the Healthy Bridgeport Facebook page.

 

Elkins, named Biggest Loser by losing the biggest percentage of his beginning body weight - 22.57% -  is shown above with his wife Jessica. He is also pictured with Biggest Loser 2nd place male winner Mark Chavoustie, losing 47.6 pounds (18.54% of his body weight) and 3rd place male winner John Keough, losing 44 pounds (13.78% of his body weight). Chavoustie and Keough won $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.

The female winner of The Biggest Loser was Jeri Boher. Look for a feature about her later in the week.

 

Editor's Note: Cover photo, top photo and bottom photo are by Joe Signorelli of Ben Queen Photography.