The Truckload Carriers Association announced the winners of its inaugural Trucking’s Weight Loss Showdown. Carl Bailey of Fair Play, Mo., took the top honor for individuals, and Prime Inc. of Springfield, Mo., won the company contest.
Managed by Lindora Clinic, a personalized weight management company, the competition brought together teams of 12 drivers and staff from 11 carriers to determine which individual and which company could achieve the greatest percentages of weight loss. The participants followed the Lean-for-Life program, which is based on a low-carbohydrate, low-fat, moderate protein menu plan coupled with exercise, nutrition education and lifestyle changes. The competitors received weekly phone calls from Lindora’s coaches, who educated them on nutrition and behavioral changes, helped boost their morale, supported them through their personal challenges and recorded their weight loss.
Bailey, a professional truck driver for Hirschbach Motor lines of Medata Heights, Minn., went from 227 to 169 pounds; this 58-pound loss equaled 26 percent of his body weight. For his achievement, Bailey will receive $2,500 from the sponsor of the individual contest, Cline Wood Agency of Leawood, Kan.
The team from Prime lost a total of 353 pounds, going from 2,309 to 1,956; this represented a 15 percent drop in the team’s collective weight. As the top company, Prime will receive StayFit Fitness room equipment donated by TravelCenters of America/Petro; valued at $13,000, the package includes a cable-motion dual-pulley strength frame rack, an integrity elliptical cross trainer and a recumbent stationary bike. TA/Petro also will provide restaurant and food gift cards or certificates valued at $3,000.
Overall, the 2012 competitors shed 3,022 pounds or 10 percent of their collective body weight; also, 90 percent of the participants managed to complete the program. According to Lindora Clinic, this figure is higher than the completion rates for similar initiatives, which usually are about 80 percent.
“The fact that so many competitors made it to the end and achieved so much proves our industry is ready to stop talking and start acting when it comes to health and wellness,” says Chris Burruss, TCA president. “My thanks and congratulations go out to all of them.”
TCA will recognize the achievements of the contest winners at its 2012 Safety & Security Division Annual Meeting, scheduled for May 20-22 in Norman, Okla.
