A group of 20 fundraisers have lost 48l0bs of fat over the past 12 weeks whilst raising pounds for The Hospice of St Francis as part of its annual Biggest Loser Challenge.
At a glitzy celebratory party on Saturday night at Berkhamsted’s Arts Centre, Adrian Townsend, a school chef, from Hemel Hempstead was crowned the winner of the event. He lost a whopping 45lbs of fat since following the personalised healthy eating and fitness training programme devised for the challenge by Sportspace, Hemel Hempstead.
The groups’ fundraising efforts have raised an impressive £16,000 for the Hospice, which cares for people locally with life-shortening illnesses.
“Being part of the Biggest Loser has completely focused my mind and gave me the determination to work hard and challenge myself,” said an overwhelmed Adrian, 42, from Boxmoor. “I can’t praise the gym staff at Sportspace highly enough for all their knowledge, guidance and motivation throughout the challenge. I am absolutely thrilled with my new slim-line look and my family still can’t believe it’s me when I come through the door after work!”
The runners-up in the event were Claire Jelfs, also from Boxmoor and Keith Murphy from Chaulden who lost 40lbs and 35 lbs respectively.
The challenge, which started in January, combined a 12 week nutrition and exercise programme, with weekly weigh-ins, group exercise classes and personal training sessions provided by the expert team at Sportspace.
James Sexton, Gym Manager at Sportspace, comments, “The combined nutritional and fitness programme is the key to the Biggest Losers’ weight loss as it encourages making small, regular, sustainable changes to their lifestyle, as opposed to following a fad diet or unrealistic fitness goals.
Harriet Karia, Head of Community Fundraising at The Hospice of St Francis, adds, “Our Biggest Losers are a real inspiration to everyone out there who think they’ll never lose weight. Our Challenge really works and I can’t thank the team at Sportspace enough for their support. I’m so proud of the twenty participants for all the effort they’ve put into their fundraising too and for being such great advocates of the Hospice.”
Applications for next year’s Biggest Loser Challenge will be open in the autumn. Please visit the Hospice’s website for further information: www.stfrancis.org.uk.