Ramblin': Lose the weight, win the cash

MONTICELLO - Lose the most weight, win 1,000 bucks.

“It's been proven that cash is the only thing that motivates people to lose weight all the way through a contest,” says Becky Cooper, owner of Above & Beyond Home Health & Hospice.

So, with the help of two dozen other businesses, Monticello's communitywide “Counting Down the Pounds” weight-loss contest was born.

With a heavy turnout at weigh-ins last week - about 300 people tipped the scales, double what had been expected - the quest to become Monticello's “Biggest Loser” is on. The winner will be determined after weigh-outs April 11 through 13.

“A lot of people think they have a chance to win 1,000 bucks and they're going to be serious,”

says Kevin Miller, 62, a farmer and 195-pound contestant.

“He wasn't even going to sign up for it until I talked him into it,” says his wife, Julie, 53. She hopes to lose 15 pounds.

“I'm doing it so I can keep up with Creighton (Randolph) in tennis,” Kevin laughs.

“I think it's great,” Julie adds. “I'll let you know in 11 weeks.”

So will I, because I'll visit B.E. Somebody, the health and fitness center weigh-in site, on the last day of weigh-outs to see how contestants fared.

That includes Steve Ehrisman, 48, who operates a tree service but hasn't been able to get much exercise since the first of his three back surgeries 14 years ago.

“I would sure like to lose 30,” says Steve, who came in at 220 pounds and remembers how good he felt at 175. Maybe that's on the horizon.

“You have to change your lifestyle,” Steve adds. “Like they say, you have to eat right.”

Then he smiles. “It's for me.”

That, Becky says, should be the No. 1 reason. And you have to start somewhere.

“A year ago we talked about doing something like this,” Becky says, “and we never went through with it.”

But, in December, people heard about awards Becky gave winners of the twice-yearly weight-loss contest she holds among employees at Above & Beyond. It was time to go communitywide.

With help from others, including Toni Stumpf, 37, human resources director at Above & Beyond, the contest was on.

Businesses, from funeral homes to banks to restaurants, climbed aboard. Donations and the $25 entry fee allowed for more than $5,000 in prizes to the top 25 winners. That includes $600 for second, $500 for third, $400 for fourth and $300 for fifth.

The winner is the person who loses the highest percentage of weight. So a 100-pound woman who loses 10 pounds would tie with a 200-pound man who loses 20 pounds.

And, yes, statistics show we need to lose weight. Toni says 26 percent of Iowans are obese, and overall we're the 23rd fattest state.

“I need to dance more,” jokes Darrell Reyner, 53.

“I supposed it's just plain time,” adds his wife, Lori, 47, who also signed up for the contest.

They own Darrell's, a third-generation restaurant and contest sponsor. They may run nightly specials geared toward weight-loss contestants.

“Right now I can feel it,” Darrell says, patting his belly. “I'm just mush.”

Once carrying 340 pounds on his 6-foot-3 frame, he lost 80 pounds

a decade ago because of diabetes. He's up to 280 now but hopes walking and a change of eating habits can drop him to 220.

“I want to be somebody,” Darrell says.

“Less of somebody,” adds Lori with a laugh.