MEDIA CONTEST: Gunfighters fight for right to be called ‘Biggest Loser’

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ACC MEDIA CONTEST --  Move over reality television. A real life weight loss showdown started Monday at Mountain Home Air Force Base.

They may not reality T.V. stars with personal trainers. However, these 20 Gunfighters are just a handful of Americans who watched NBC's "Biggest Loser" competition with one thought in mind: "If they can do it, maybe I can, too."

Monday was the first day of the competition, sponsored by the fitness center for National Physical
Fitness and Sports Month, and competitors started off with a fitness test, weigh in and tug-of-war challenge.

While the 12-week contest is called the biggest loser, both coaches want their teams to get more out of this competition than just weight loss.

"I am not really concerned with my team losing a lot of weight," said Tech. Sgt. Richard Pyle, blue team coach and instructor. "What I really want them to do is learn how to exercise to become healthier for themselves and their families. Losing weight is just an added bonus."

"I want them to be able to change their life and be happy to be better for themselves and their families," said Allison Castle, red team coach and instructor. "We want to show them different ways to be healthier and happy."

While some of the participants want to shed a few pounds, many of them share the same thoughts about the competition as their coaches.

"I want to learn a better lifestyle - meaning a better way to workout," said Keone "Mr. K." Valdez, 366th Services Squadron and red team member.

"I am going to be a new grandmother and I want to be able to be healthy for my family and to be able to run around with my grandbaby," said Rita Stives, Gunfighter spouse and blue team member.

The competition was opened to anyone with a military identification card, and there were some active duty members hoping to get whipped back into shape.

"I want to look professional in my uniform again," said Staff Sgt. Christina Kroll, 366th Mission support Squadron. "I also want to get healthy for my daughter and myself."

During the competition, the teams must work out six times a week, two of those times with their respective coaches. During the times with the coaches, the teams will learn all of the ways to work out in hopes of making a life change.

"My team will be doing a little of everything," said Sergeant Pyle. "One time we will hit the weight room, another may be a spinning class or even running outside. I just want to introduce my team to as many things as I can think of so that they may find something they like to do and will stick with it for life."

Each Tuesday through July 25, contestants have a weight-in with a challenge where they can win prizes.

Come out to the community center at 4:30 p.m. these dyas and cheer on each individual who made a lifechanging decision.

Although, there are no cash prizes in this biggest loser contest, each competing Gunfighter can take home a much better prize - a longer, healthier life.