Just Lose It community weight-loss challenge wraps up its 13th session

Christian Hospital’s latest session of the Just Lose It weight-loss challenge ended on April 27, 2017. The final weigh-in spotlighted 225 participants who lost a total of more than 1,700 pounds during the 12-week challenge.

Congratulations to our top Just Lose It winners based on weight-loss percentage:

• Joyce Jackson—14.052 percent body weight (34.4 pounds) lost 
• Robert Caswell—12.901 percent body weight (32.2 pounds) lost
• Carolyn Walker—12.675 percent body weight (23.6 pounds) lost

Joyce has participated in the competition over several sessions, and this time she wanted to lose the weight to get off her high blood pressure medication. She also had a bet with a friend as to who could lose the most weight. Joyce said it had to be a lifestyle change for her, so she concentrated on portion control and made sure she exercised three to five times a week. She made her activities about fitness, so instead of going to the movies, she went bowling, skating or walking.

Robert’s mother and grandmother were his motivation for joining Just Lose It. His mom managed to lose more than 30 pounds and finished third in the competition last year—all while caring for Robert's grandmother. Because his mom was caring for her mother while working on her own health, she persistently encouraged her son to take his health more seriously. He leaned on his mom and his faith to help himself through the challenge. Though the late nights at the gym and giving up soda and pizza were tough, he says is so happy to see a side of the scale he hasn’t seen in ten years. He wants everyone to remember to have faith and that all things are possible!

Carolyn joined Just Lose It because she knows it is a program that has benefits beyond the scales and weight loss. "It changes your mindset with different techniques on food, fun and fitness," she says. "The information we receive applies to everyone and to every lifestyle."

What worked best for Carolyn was knowing that the people at her weigh-in site cared about her and her success. They were always supportive and encouraging, even when she had a bad week; they believed that she could and would do better. And if she didn’t, that was okay too, because it wasn’t about the weight loss—it's about getting healthier, she says. 

 The other seven members of our Top 10 are:

4. General Smith, who lost 12.432 percent of his body weight
5. Lekeela Caswell, who lost 11.306 percent of her body weight
6. Lizabeth Kowalski, who lost 10.588 percent of her body weight
7. Casside Betts, who lost 10.476 percent of her body weight
8. Fran Williams, who lost 10.335 percent of his body weight
9. Venecia Mimms, who lost 10.306 percent of her body weight
10. Amanda Johnson, who lost 9.568 percent of her body weight

Over the last seven years, Christian Hospital’s Just Lose It competition has helped community members lose more than 25,000 pounds. The next round kicks off on Saturday, August 12, 2017.

Register to join by calling 314.747.WELL (9355). Registration opens June 1. No walk-ins will be allowed. Entry fee is $15 per person. 

Your chance to make lifestyle changes and improve your health is made possible with help from your friends at Christian Hospital, City of Bellefontaine, City of Florissant, BJC, Ferguson Bicycle Shop, Lincoln University, Rehab at Graham Medical Center and the YMCA.