Antelope Memorial's 'Biggest Loser' Winners Announced

A husband and wife each took first place in their respective categories of Antelope Memorial Hospital's 2019 "Biggest and Best Losers" contest.

Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen of Neligh led the women's division and Steve Simonsen won the men's division.

"I really feel the competition drove me to try harder,” Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen said. “Participating in the contest as a couple, Steve and I constantly pushed one another. The weekly status updates were a huge driving factor. We wanted to make sure we were constantly losing and keeping up with the other losers too!”

Her husband agreed.

“Just like everything you do—it is way more enjoyable doing it with somebody than doing it by yourself,” Steve Simonsen said. 

AMH’s Biggest and Best Losers contest was held for 10 weeks from January 7 through March 15. It was coordinated by Bethany Schacht, AMH Wellness Director. A total of 768.7 pounds was collectively lost by the 74 contestants, to include 46 individuals (16 men/30 women) and seven teams of four. Three divisions were held for men, women and teams. Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen (Neligh) was the first-place winner in the Women’s Division, losing 13.5 percent of her total body weight. Other winners in the Women’s Division included − second-place: Crystal Kester (Clearwater) and third place: Christine Kallhoff (Clearwater).  

Steve Simonsen (Neligh) was the first-place winner in the men’s division, losing 17.7 percent of his total body weight. Other winners in the men’s division included − second-place: anonymous and third-place: Dan Gadeken (Neligh).

In the team division, the first-place winners, the “We’re Not Gonna Bake It,” collectively lost 11.2 percent of their total body weight. Its members included Connie Farmer (Elgin), Shantell Boggs (Neligh) and Teal Heiser and Danielle Van Buren (both of Verdigre). They are all AMH employees.

“Participating in this contest with my co-workers and being on a team made it a great support system,” Danielle Van Buren said. “We pushed each other through the weak moments and were able to make positive lifestyle changes.”

The second-place team members, “Fit for the Firefighter Calendar,” were Ben Zegers, Tony Tschirren, Gail Knust and Logan Lawson (all of Neligh). The third-place team members, “3 Cows & a Heifer” were Jody Mueller, April Mueller, Janette Kerkman and Melissa Herley (all of Clearwater).

“The contestants were very motivated and highly competitive—which made for another successful year of the contest,” Bethany Schacht, AMH Wellness Director, said. “We had participants of all ages see results, but more importantly they added healthy habits to their lifestyles. It was exciting to watch the contestants progress on their wellness journey ˗ there’s never a wrong time to begin!”

Donations were made by Antelope Memorial Hospital, AMH Wellness, Overland Rehab, Antelope Lanes, Jonny Dodge, Highway 20 Seed, Weight Watchers, HiWay Mart, Subway, Clip ‘N Curl, Neligh Eye Physicians, Thriftway Market, Melissa Smith – State Farm Insurance, Pinnacle Bank, 319 Graphics and Wanek Pharmacy.

For more information about weight loss, please call Bethany at 402.887.6204 or Carol Anderson, AMH APRN, at 402.887.6270.