Whiteman now 360 pounds lighter

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  More than 38 participants embarked on a 12-week journey to shed unwanted body fat as part of Team Whiteman's "Biggest Loser" contest. The winners were announced June 24 at the Base Exchange.

Machelle Cotton, 509th Comptroller Squadron, earned the Top Female Winner Category with a total weight loss of 17.02 percent.

Staff Sgt. Andrew Betsworth, 509th Maintenance Group, earned the Top Male Loser Winner with a total weight loss of 15.03 percent.

The 509th Force Support Squadron won the squadron competition with a total weight loss of 77 pounds, which is a 2.5 percent weight loss, and a 7.7 pound weight loss per person from ten participants.

"The HAWC's Mission is to promote healthy lifestyles," said Dr. Nita Hawk, 509th Medical Group health promotions director. "Our goal is to motivate individuals to create positive behavior change in their lives. Ultimately, the health and fitness of each individual is directly connected to the operational mission.

"Over the past four years the Biggest Loser contest has generated a weight loss of more than 2,000 pounds for the Whiteman Community," Dr. Hawk said. "This year's contest yielded one of the highest percent loss per participant. Congratulations to the winners, and to the participants."

All together, participants lost 360 pounds with an average individual weight loss of nine and a half pounds.

Sergeant Betsworth said he altered his eating habits and exercised more.

"I went from exercising three to four days a week to six to seven days a week, and started monitoring my calorie intake," he said. "I also ran three miles, six to seven days a week and did pushups and sit ups every other day."

Machelle Cotton said she kept a daily food diary and cut back on sugar, carbohydrates and fats.

The HAWC provides free assistance to members who want to learn how to live healthier.

The competition was sponsored by the HAWC, 509th MDG. The Top Male and Female categories received an XBox 360 and Kinect game, courtesy of the Base Exchange.

For more information about fitness and nutrition plan can stop by or call the HAWC at (660) 687-7662.