Eric Baroni, a computer graphics teacher at Ocean City High School, lost 41.1 pounds to win the annual “Biggest Loser” weight-loss competition at the school.
Twenty-six staff members participated in the contest and shed a combined 197.6 pounds.
Baroni was the individual winner with a 17 percent weight loss. First place in the team category were the “Cast-a-Weighs” with a collective 82.2 pound weight loss, and second place went to “Too Much Pi” from the math department with an 82-pound weight loss.
The contest runs for 10 weeks with an initial weigh-in and a $10 donation required in Week One. The contestants get a printout of their body mass index, weight and body fat percentage before and after the contest. Participants can choose their own team members and weigh-ins are every Thursday. Contest organizers keep a detailed log each week of weight and body fat percentage gained or lost, and for each pound gained, the participant must pay $2.
“It is so much fun and the participants get very competitive,” school nurse Jill Geller said.
The contest has been going on for 10 years. Patti Workman (an OCHS nurse who retired in 2011) started it and Geller and fellow nurse Rose Millar, along with physical education teacher Alyssa Preis, brought it back this year. Geller says there have been hundreds of staff members (faculty, custodians, board members, etc.) who have participated over the years and for a few years the police department was involved as well.
“The biggest loser contest encouraged me to live a healthier lifestyle,” Baroni said. “Once it started, I began a routine of daily morning cardio and weight training in the afternoon three days a week resulting in the shedding of pounds and, of course, I ate more healthy.”
The Upper Township resident donated his winnings of $317 to the school’s “Sunshine Club” and the health office at the high school.
“I decided that the Ocean City Sunshine Club would be a great donation as they send cards and flowers to current and retired school workers who have suffered a loss or have a health issue, as well as bring joy to those that have had a recent birth in the family,” Baroni said.
