Weight Loss Challenge losers are winners

 

Since early 2011, when Grand Marais Fusion first opened its doors to serve healthy teas and shakes such as French vanilla cappuccino, chocolate caramel cheesecake or banana split, proprietors Paul and Kristin (Bursack) Norlander and Jack Bursack of Duluth and Carl and Beth (Larson) Foster of Grand Marais have promoted healthy nutrition—and an occasional weight loss challenge. The New Year weight loss challenge just wrapped up on April 4 with some very happy winners—and losers. The total accumulative weight lost of the participants in this challenge was 287.6 pounds.

However weight was not the only factor in the weight loss challenge. Participants were tracked by the percentage of body mass lost. Beth Foster explained, “We use percentages to make it fair. Some people have more weight to lose than others so it evens out the chances.”

The top ten winning losers are listed below. The top three achievers received the cash from the challenge entry fees. Earning third place and winning $210 is participant Lisa No. 1 who lost 14.46 percent body mass. In second place was Lisa No. 2 who lost 15.12 percent body mass. And earning first place in the challenge and taking home $525 was Neal M. who lost 19.89 percent body mass.

Neal M. was extremely happy with the results. He is Neal Meyer of Grand Marais and he didn’t mind not being anonymous. He wrote to the Cook County News-Herald, “Before the three month challenge began I weighed 254 pounds, felt sluggish, and was tired most of the time. By the time the challenge ended I weighed in at 204 pounds, felt full of energy, had greater confidence in myself, and was back to enjoying athletic activities.”

Meyer spoke highly of Fusion products but added, “The most important aspect of my weight loss can be attributed to the energy and enthusiasm of Carl and Beth Foster. From day one to day ninety, Carl and Beth are in your corner…While character attributes like discipline, faith, and courage are musts for weight loss and life in general, without proper instruction and guidance on your side, it is a set up for failure. It’s like rowing a boat with one oar; you just go in circles. Carl and Beth aided me and will aid you in whatever your fitness goals are.”

The Fosters invite anyone interested in learning more to visit them at their new location above the Blue Water Café in downtown Grand Marais or by calling (218) 370-8069.

As he did at the beginning of the Fusion weight loss challenge, Carl Foster asked, “What have you got to lose?”

Cook County Weight Loss Challenge Top 10 Achievers

Numbers are based on percentage of body mass lost