Iron Mike's "Cutting It At The Gym Weight Loss Challenge" Reaps Big Rewards

In response to "Iron Mike" Davis' open challenge to Boundary County residents to lose weight and get fit, 86 people showed up in September to take on the weight loss challenge and try to win the biggest pot ever assembled for the 11 week competition.

Through the struggle and hard times, determination and positive attitudes rose to meet the challenge as 55 people completed the program which included physical training and well-balanced diets to achieve a combined weight loss total of 1,032.5 pounds, an average of 19 pounds per person.

Mike said that the competition brightened the overall atmosphere of the gym.

"It was inspirational to us to see how everyone pushed themselves and their accomplishments," he stated.

On the evening of December 1, 2009, a huge turnout of contestants, their families and friends assembled at Iron Mike's Family Fitness Center to witness the final weigh-in.

Jim Tompkins took first place, losing an incredible 67.75 pounds which is 26.36 percent of his total body weight. He won $4,660 and took home an "Iron Mike's Cutting It At The Gym Weight Loss Challenge" saw as his trophy. Brenda Ball won first place for the women, third overall, with a loss of 19.97 percent body weight. She pocketed $500. Garrett Hull won second place, losing 24.36 percent and Derrick Grow took fourth place, losing 18.49 percent.

Because Mike and personal trainer Crystal Bonner wanted the competition to be fun as well as a positive experience for the contestants, they came up with three additional awards. Each of the following winners took home an "Iron Mike's Cutting It At The Gym Weight Loss Challenge" saw. Tracy Gross, whose never-ending willpower and personal resolve motivated everyone, won the "Inspiration Award." Trygve Aos won the "Bull Award" for his "never say die" spirit. DeeDee Oxford took home the "Hard Rock Award" for her absolute commitment and devotion to her goal.

Even though only two contestants took home cold, hard cash, everyone who stuck with the competition was a winner. One contestant who lost only 13.11 percent total body weight found that she had lost 20 percent body fat when she had her body composition testing done. According to Mike, this was an amazingly huge accomplishment to do in only 11 weeks.

In addition to the final weigh-in, guest speaker Loretta Hunsaker of Weight Watchers addressed the group and discussed the importance of weight maintenance as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The contestants as well as Mike and Crystal are so happy with the results that they are considering getting the group together for a reunion of sorts in six months to see who has maintained their loss and who has lost even more weight since the competition.

"I think everybody did a really good job," praised Crystal. "They all pushed themselves as much as they could. I am really proud of everything they accomplished."

Watch Ruralnorthwest.com for the announcement of the next "Iron Mike's Cutting It At The Gym Weight Loss Challenge" to begin in February, 2010.