Biggest Loser Challenge comes to McGuire Published April 23, 2007 By Airman Rebekah Phy 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NJ. -- The 305th Medical Group recently began a new weight loss incentive program here called the Biggest Loser Challenge. Tech. Sgt. Steven Gribben, 305th Medical Support Squadron NCO in charge of laboratory services, is heading the new program after a successful mini-program, which included 24 members from the medical group competing to lose weight from December through February. "Right before the holidays, I was trying to think of a motivating activity for folks at the med group to get in shape and/or lose weight," Sergeant Gribben said. "It was just a group of us who kept each other motivated -- we still worked out on our own time -- and after about three months, 24 people completed the program, and on average lost about 9.6 lbs. The grand prize winner lost 19 lbs." After the success of the program, Sergeant Gribben's senior leadership thought it would be a good program to offer base-wide. "The biggest loser program was a big success at the medical group," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Snyder, 305th Medical Support Squadron commander. "I believe the participants will have fun losing weight and develop healthy living habits. My hat's off to all the participants, and I cant' wait to see who the biggest loser is." "The program offers a little friendly competition for people to stay healthy," said Lt. Col. Michael Paston, 305th Aeromedical Squadron commander. "It's made me think twice when I go for a second helping at dinner," he jokingly said. On April 2, the base-wide Biggest Loser Challenge began. "We hosted an all-day event April 2 at the base gym," Sergeant Gribben said. "We had a booth set up and as people walked by, we asked if they were interested in signing up. Their initial weigh-in was right then, but the program is anonymous. At the end of the day, we had 68 people signed up." Sergeant Gribben said one inspiration for the program was the "Boot Camp" program servicemembers complete if they do not receive a "good" or "excellent" rating on their PT test. "The Biggest Loser Challenge is a voluntary program people join to promote a healthy lifestyle." "The goal of the Biggest Loser Challenge is to help people stay healthy, to help them lose weight and to keep them focused. They don't even have to lose weight, it can just be an extra motivator," Sergeant Gribben said. May 31 marks the end of this session of the Biggest Loser Challenge. "In the end, we're going to recognize the winners (if they want to be recognized) and all of the groups that participated," Sergeant Gribben said. "We hope to have some prizes for the winners." "If it works, I hope we can do it again before the summer ends," Sergeant Gribben said. "Maybe we can make it a regular event."