ADVANTAGE Health Solutions, Inc.^SM is a local, provider-owned health plan which offers healthcare benefits and solutions to employer groups of all sizes. ADVANTAGE is solutions-oriented and provides a consultative approach to helping our clients choose the best benefit option for their company and employees. We believe in providing employer groups with a long term health plan solution.

ADVANTAGE decided to host an internal Biggest Loser Competition to help motivate their employees to lose weight by engaging in healthier choices when the employees seemed to show a vested interest in participating in such an event. On June 18th, the competition began with 50 employees partaking in the activity. They formed teams of three or four and weighed in on a weekly basis. Each week, the individual and team winners were announced based on percentage of weight lost compared to the following week.  During the twelve week competition, participants were encouraged to eat healthier and strive for a more physically active lifestyle.

The final weigh-in was on September 13, 2007. As a group, all participating employees had lost a grand total of 371.2 pounds! The overall Biggest Loser and Biggest Loser Team were announced at the Company Employee Appreciation Picnic the following day. The Biggest Loser was to be awarded $100 and the Biggest Loser Team received $300 to share.

The overall Biggest Loser was Cynthia Stepp who, throughout the competition, continued to lose weight. She now continues to be a motivating spirit to those around her.  Over the twelve week competition, she lost a total of 16.2% of her original weight and a total of 34 pounds!

The overall Biggest Loser Team was "Skin and Bones,"consisting of Matt Brodahl, Bryce Conway, Jackie Frye and Cynthia Stepp who lost a total of 9.1% of their combined initial weight, and a total of 73.1 pounds!

ADVANTAGE Health Solutions’ Biggest Loser competition was a great success and motivated the employees to improve their overall health status. The employees of ADVANTAGE enjoyed competing as teams, which has also allowed them to support each other in their efforts to continue to make healthier choices and lose weight.  All of those who participated were able to accomplish an extraordinary goal and were the reason behind the success of this competition.  We hope our story can motivate other companies to support their employees in living a healthier lifestyle!