Winners Named in Healthy Bridgeport's Biggest Loser, 10% Takedown Challenges; Healthy Bridgeport Brand Expands Countywide with Announcement of New Weight Loss Challenges
By Julie Perine on June 25, 2021 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Combined winners of Healthy Bridgeport's Biggest Loser and 10% Takedown challenges left The Bridge Sports Complex Thursday $14,000 richer and overall participants ended the challenges 700 pounds lighter. 
Following the Bridge to Health 5K - for which 130-plus individuals had registered - Abby Veigel, team lead for Healthy Bridgeport made the much-anticipated announcement.
Winners of the Biggest Loser had to lose at least 20% of their body weight and the top percentage of weight loss was rewarded. Winners of the 10% Takedown had to lose at least 10% of their body weight and were eligible for a cash drawing.The initial weigh-ins and body scans were completed in January. Those who dropped the most weight in the challenges were active in utiizing the Healthy Bridgeport app, available free to anyone who wishes to download it. The app features healthy recipes, workout tips and much more. Users are able to track their daily health goals and are eligible for monthly prize drawings.
Winners of the weight loss challenges were:
1st place Female- Jeri Booher (pictured top middle) losing 60.6 pounds; 26.92 % of her weight - awarded $2,500
2nd place Female- Tonya Rinehart (pictured top right), losing 29.8 pounds; 16 % of her weight - awarded $2,000
3rd place female- Nancy Hillegas (pictured top left), losing 36.8 pounds;14.5 % of her weight - awarded $1,500
1st place Male- Adam Elkins (pictured below middle), losing 54.1. pounds; 22.57% of his weight - awarded $2,500
2nd Place Male- Mark Chavoustie (pictured below left), losing 47.6 pounds; 18.54 % of his weight - awarded $2,000
3rd place Male- John Keough (pictured below right), losing 44. pounds;13.78 % of his weight - awarded $1,500
10% Takedown winners were Jeff Smell, Jessica Elkins and Doug Marquette - each awarded $1,000
"We set out to bring awareness about the issue of obesity and we definitely did that," Veigel said. "It was great to celebrate that and celebrate the resources we have here in our community."
Winners of the 5K race were as follows:
1st place male Brian Reider - awarded $100
2nd place male Logan Arnold - awarded $75
3rd place male Sam Dodson - awarded $50
1st place female Emily Maddow - awarded $100
2nd place female Claudia Moore - awarded $75
3rd place female Stephanie Moore - awarded $50
At the conclusion of the event, which began with the singing of The National Anthem by Emma Davidson and also included music and stretching, courtesy of Warrior Yoga, Veigel and Krista Arnold of Healthy Bridgeport made a surprise announcement that the Healthy Bridgeport brand was changing and had evolved to a county-wide logo and mission. Healthy Harrison Change Your State Health Games, The Encore will feature new weight loss challenges. Weigh-ins for both The Biggest Loser and 10% Takedown will begin in July. These competitions are open to all Harrison County residents.
"Our plan was initially to toll out a program we could eventually take countywide and eventually statewide. It's exciting to take what we have implemented here in Bridgeport, then expand to Harrison County and eventually the State of West Virginia."
Veigel credited the Healthy Bridgeport steering committee and said she continues working with members as additional resources are pushed out and the program moves forward.
Stay tuned for more information,coming soon to Connect-Bridgeport. We will also profile some of the winners mentioned above, sharing the story behind their motivation to step out on this health journey.
