Winning with weight loss

CG Schmidt sponsors a biggest loser contest that draws the attention of Plunkett Raysich Architects. Contestants include (sitting, from left) Rebecca Marrara and Linda Moses; and (standing, from left) Steve Dasher, Scott Kramer, Alice Glick and Carla Ellner. Photo courtest of Plunkett Raysich Architects

Several employees of Milwaukee-based Plunkett Raysich Architects started their weeks with a weigh-in this fall.

The employees — Linda Moses, Alice Glick, Carla Ellner, Rebecca Marrara, Steve Dasher, Scott Kramer and Tracey Chesniak — signed up for a multicompany biggest loser competition, a weight loss competition sponsored by CG Schmidt, Milwaukee, and based on the popular TV show.

Stefanie Meyers, director of human resources for CG Schmidt, said the intercompany competition grew from an internal one.

“We did one internally and pitted our own employees against each other,” she said. “We lost a lot of weight. We wanted to keep everyone motivated. Our team worked as one team against others.”

Other companies participating in this year’s contest included Eppstein Uhen Architects, Milwaukee; Kahler Slater, Milwaukee; ProHealth Care, Waukesha; and Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Milwaukee.

CG Schmidt workers do their best to stay fit for the firm’s biggest loser contest. Contestants include (sitting, from left) Jan Buchen, Stefanie Meyers and Shelley Anderson; and (standing, from left) Lindsay Berndt, Pam Momsen, Richard Schmidt Jr., Dave Giordano, Jeanne Hoppe, Eric Ellison, Julie Rossmiller, Dan Davis, John Trojan, Chris Rockelman and Bob Olin Photo courtest of CG Schmidt

Employees from the companies lost a total 366.8 pounds, Meyers said.

The Plunkett Raysich group of employees won the competition by collectively losing 72.8 pounds, which amounted to a loss of 4 percent of their total weight.

Because teams varied in size, the competition was based on total weight loss percentage.

As the winning team, Plunkett Raysich decided to give $1,340, which was donated by contest participants, to the Ronald McDonald House, a client of the firm.

“It came at a great time of year, right before Thanksgiving,” Moses said. “I thought it was great timing. You had to abstain from Halloween candy, the big Thanksgiving meal and got partway to Christmas.”

Plunkett Raysich contestants said the friendly competition and camaraderie — plus the peer pressure — made it easier to stick with the weight loss program. They said they tried to exercise together, walking on breaks and during lunch.

Plunkett’s female competitors had their own strategy for losing weight.

Ellner said she had some baby weight she wanted to lose, so she went to fitness franchise chain Curves and followed the company’s diet.

Glick said she followed a Weight Watchers plan and walked almost every day.

Moses said she followed a basic plan that included eating more whole grains, exercising regularly and drinking lots of water.

“The peer pressure, knowing I had to weigh in,” Moses said, “was enough to keep me not eating those Halloween candies.”

— Janine Anderson