Chelsea L. McGowan
cmcgowan@weatherforddemocrat.com
When Dustin Deel participated in the City of Weatherford’s “Biggest Loser” competition last year, he lost 37 pounds and made great strides toward healthier living. This year, the program motivated him to achieve his personal goal ... and made him a richer man.
Deel, who serves as the city’s technical services manager, came in first place in this year’s competition, with a total loss of 15.4 percent of his beginning weight.
“This year, I lost 29 pounds, so that’s a total of 66 pounds over the two years,” he said.
According to a press release from the city, the contest “created a lot of friendly competition” among city staff. Deel said he believed his naturally competitive nature helped him win first place.
“I knew there were some things I needed to work on,” he said. “I wasn’t really anticipating to lose as much weight this second time around, but I made a little bet involving sky diving, and that motivated me. I’m very competitive, and this time that worked in my favor.”
Spurred into action after seeing pictures of himself on vacation in Mexico, Deel said he feels his weight loss has greatly improved his overall health.
“I feel a ton better,” he said. “When I go to the doctor, they talk about how much healthier I am now that the weight is off. My cholesterol is better and everything.”
In total, over the 20 weeks of the competition, City of Weatherford employees lost a total of 311.5 pounds.
For his first place price, Deel collected $320 in entry fees paid by participating males. He also will enjoy one paid day off, and one month of free personal training at Michael’s Personal Training Studio.
Diana Mills, who placed first among the women, received $600 in entry fees, one paid day off, and a free six-week boot camp at Hot Mama’s gym.
Although he intends to keep up the healthy habits he’s learned through his participation in the last two years of “The Biggest Loser,” Deel doesn’t rule out the possibility of participating again.
“I’m personally where I feel I need to be,” he said. “But if they do it again, I’ll probably participate, just to be an encouragement to others. It’s a great support system.”
