Westport’s Biggest Loser taking shape

Biggest Loser taking shape


Neill O’Neill
neilloneill@mayonews.ie

THERE is just over two-and-a-half weeks remaining in Westport’s Biggest Loser 2013, and the tide seems to be turning in the race to lose weight over Lent.
A huge effort will be required of all 12 participants if they are to be in the mix-up when the scales are dusted down on Easter Sunday for the weigh-out. While the result is still very much up for debate, it has become apparent already who is certainly not going to be in contention.
Kevin Kelly seems destined to retain his coveted wooden spoon from last year, and going on hunger strike probably couldn’t save him now. John ‘Dixie’ Duffy meanwhile, has taken the event to such an extreme that he cut the plug off his fridge and is now regularly hosting healthy eating lectures in the canteen down in Berry’s printing works.
Owing to an industrious effort since the contest began three weeks ago, Kenneth Conway is now the bookies’ favourite, with Conor O’Neill, Edwin McGreal and initial favourite, Tony Bree, all drifting in the odds.
Ger McGreal hasn’t been spotted in weeks, but rumours that he has faded away completely cannot be confirmed at this time.
In the girls’ corner the competition is really heating up, as all three female contestants take their exercise regimes to an altogether different level. As each week passes and every calorie is counted, they also claim to be aching in muscles they never even knew they had. Karate lessons, aqua aerobics, participation in 5k events around Westport and Reek climbs have all been employed by the contestants, but it will ultimately be the work they do on their own and their ability to give up the fridge raids that will decide which of them will be ‘The Biggest Loser’
During the weekly sessions with trainer George Forde in Lough Lannagh Gym there have been some Herculean efforts by the participants, while some are quietly going about their own thing, seemingly afraid to let the secrets of their success be known.
The stage is set then for the showdown on the scales in The Jester Bar on Easter Sunday night, while the annual cycling event and collection will take place on Easter Saturday on Bridge Street.
For up-to-date information on the contestants and what they are doing, check out Westport’s Biggest Loser 2013 on Facebook, where you will also find a link where you can donate to Western Care, who are the charity beneficiaries from the toil and tears of the 12 brave contestants. Participants also have collection cards in circulation.

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