Aviano Biggest Winner Contest underway

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
  • 31st Fighter Wing public affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Editor's note: This is the first in a series of related articles to the Aviano Biggest Winner Contest. The series takes a look at how anyone with the drive and determination can lose, and win, big through the use of base programs, resources and facilities. 

The third annual "Biggest Winner" contest kicked-off here Jan. 16. More than 400 base personnel and family members have signed up for the 90-day event to lose, and win, big. 

The annual event, sponsored by the 31st Force Support Squadron's Dragon Fitness Center and 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron's Health and Wellness Center, is a spin-off of the "The Biggest Loser." 

"We changed the name because we added our Aviano-touch to it by teaming together with the HAWC to make it a complete program," said Jennifer Kellner, fitness programs director and personal trainer for the DFC. "We provide participants from the Aviano Air Base community the opportunity to come together through fitness, health and wellness, camaraderie-related events and much more - all at their door step." 

The annual 90-day program is held during the first 90 to 120 days of the calendar year. 

"We like to encourage people to kick-off the new year with good intentions," said Kellner, who previously served on active-duty and has been a licensed personal trainer for 16-plus years. "Why not put their individual and or family health No. 1 on their list? With the military being so big into fitness and health these days, we want to make sure that we give everyone the best service possible. There really is no excuse; make the time to get fit and healthy. People owe it to themselves and especially their families to lead by example." 

Although the event already started, Kellner said the staff is still accepting participants. With so many new people arriving to Aviano Air Base weekly due to permanent change of station moves as well as those returning from a deployment, she said the staff won't turn anyone away. 

As someone who's job is to help whip people into shape, Kellner said, "To see the success contestants achieve during the 90-day contest means that they have accomplished their goals, put themselves first, learned something new about nutrition and exercise, and most importantly, made the commitment to change their lives." 

"Every day is a good day when you are healthy," Kellner said. "I see a big smile on their faces and it's amazing to see how it changes people's outlook on life."
Kellner said if she had to pick a couple success stories since the contest first began in 2007, it would be Effie Rosenblum and Samantha Adams. 

"These ladies would be the top two people," said Kellner. "They are truly examples of how to stay committed after the contest is done and over." 

For a list of rules, categories, fitness programs, health and wellness class schedules, how results are calculated, competitions, weigh-ins, and more, go to http://www.aviano.af.mil/library/biggestwinnercontest/index.asp

To sign up, call the Dragon Fitness Center at 632-7459.