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Fit to Be Gold Challenge Update Shedding the weight and saying goodbye
Unlike other weigh ins, which have had plenty of sharing and contestant interaction, the second weigh in for the current Fit to Be Gold contest was a nononsense affair — basically a weigh in, a boot camp and an inspiring pep talk from a departing contestant. Though five of the remaining competitors failed to show, those who did came prepared to work out and seemed genuinely motivated. As a group, they’ve lost 280 pounds, with several competitors in experiencing double-digit weight loss. Ultimately, however, victory is not measured in pounds, it’s measured in the percent of weight loss, which put Grady Lee in first place, with a 14.3 percent weight loss. Lee is the husband of the previous competition’s champion, Chelsie Lee. Though second-place competitor Earl Taylor lost the same amount of weight as Lee (34.4 pounds), he only experienced a 9.91 percent weight loss. Taylor actually started the night in third place, but moved up a spot with the announcement that second-place contestant Annette Drowlette (pictured above center) was leaving for Afghanistan and would therefore have to drop out of the competition. Ranked second at the last weigh in, she had lost 23 pounds. “I’m really bummed that I won’t be able to finish the competition, but this doesn’t give you guys an excuse to slack off because I’ve dropped out,” she told competitors before the boot camp. “Keep doing what you’re doing and don’t get discouraged.” Drowlette, who will be teaching metal detecting in Afghanistan, planned to leave on Saturday, but felt it was important to say goodbye to her fellow competitors. She complimented her trainer and said that he eating plan was working well. Most importantly, however, she talked about the fact that she would be taking her newfound dedication with her overseas, saying she was anxious to hit the gym in Afghanistan. “Trust me,” she said. “It’s worth it. As much as you put into this, you’ve gotten more out of it. I’ve dropped two sizes in clothes and feel so much better.” Though she will be unable to officially compete in the Fit to Be Gold contest, plans were made for her to do a weigh in on December 17, the day of the next and final weigh in. The contestants, who were filmed working out as part of a commercial, are competing for a $1,000 first prize.
34 METROSPIRITAUGUSTA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1989
15NOVEMBER2012