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It’s not uncommon to see Operating Room nurses dashing up the Tower stairs at lunch, but they’re not on their way to the Cafeteria. For these nurses, lunch breaks are time to break a sweat climbing the steps, while vying for the title of Biggest Loser.
Based on NBC’s reality show “The Biggest Loser,” Trish Powers, RN, Lauren Ponti, RN, and Rebecca Burgess, RN, in January kicked off a friendly, four-month competition to see who could lose the most weight through a healthy diet and exercise.
“I needed a kick to get me started losing weight, and this was it,” participant Judy Nagle, RN, said. “I figured I couldn’t lose for trying, and even if I didn’t win, I would still be on the way to a healthier me.”
What began as a few nurses who were avid fans of the show evolved into a competition of more than 50 participants, including physicians, nurses and patient care assistants from the OR and Day Surgery Unit. In total, the contestants together lost more than 500 pounds.
“We thought we would have only a few people from the OR join the contest,” Powers said. “But once we began, the idea exploded and became very popular.”
Throughout the spring participants encouraged each other to get in shape through healthy diets and workout regimens. Contestants shared recipes and exercise ideas, and although it was a competition, the goal was for everyone to lose a healthy amount of weight.
While at work, competitors built camaraderie. In addition to climbing the Tower stairs together, many nurses met at Fenway and walked to and from the hospital.
“It helped a lot knowing you weren’t alone,” Powers said. “Everyone really watched out for each other, and that kept us going.”
Round one of the competition ended in April with a weigh-in, after which Lynn Mulholland, RN, Nagle and Powers entered the winners’ circle of biggest losers. All participants contributed $40 in the beginning, which was totaled and used as cash prizes for the winners.
The winners used this money on new clothing and spa services as rewards for their success. Mullholland, winner of $1,000, pampered herself at a spa with some of her friends before beginning round two, which concludes in September. Mulholland, Nagle and Powers join 13 of their colleagues in the second round.