Frank and Dianne Reiter lost a total of 84 pounds together over the past three months and say they now feel better mentally and physically.
Frank, 41, lost 52 pounds, and Dianne, 39, lost 32 pounds.
The Warsaw couple was the Largest Loser Couples Challenge winners in Kosciusko Community YMCA's spring Largest Loser Challenge.
The challenge ran April 1 through June 24. There were seven couples who participated in the challenge and 30 individuals.
The seven couples lost a total of 209.65 pounds, an average of 29.95 pounds per couple. The individuals lost a total of 255.10 pounds, an average of 8-1/2 pounds per person.
An awards ceremony was Friday night at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation building.
Dianne said before the challenge the couple got in the habit of sitting on the couch in front of the television and not
exercising.
They then tried dieting and eating healthy foods, but didn't exercise.
"We knew we needed a life change and motivated each other during the challenge," Dianne said.
During the challenge, the couple exercised four to five times a week. They would get home from work, eat dinner, and then go exercise at the YMCA.
Frank said completing the challenge has made him a better husband and father.
"We transformed ourselves and have higher confidence levels now," Frank said.
He said he can now work longer in the yard and has more endurance.
Chris Wiseman, 32, North Webster, was the individual challenge winner and lost 66.8 pounds.
He said before participating in the challenge his weight went up and down.
"The first couple of weeks it was hard to get motivated, but after a few weeks I felt good about exercising," Wiseman said.
He said he exercised five to six times a week during the challenge and walked home from his son's t-ball games instead of driving.
JC Penneys, Hacienda, and Mad Anthony's donated gift certificates to the couples and individual challenge winners.
Comfort Inn, Warsaw, donated a free night's stay to the winning couple.
The winning couple and individual received a free one-year membership to the YMCA.
This was the second time Kosciusko Community YMCA held a challenge. The first challenge was held from January to March. There were 11 couples and 27 individuals who participated in the first challenge.
The YMCA is offering a summer challenge for friends and families. There must be a minimum of two people on the team.
The weight loss challenge registration goes until July 14, and the kick-off weigh-in begins July 15. The challenge runs until Sept. 23.Participants will have before and after photos taken, body composition tests, girth measurements, group exercise classes designed by Largest Loser trainers, and will be able to use the YMCA for free during the challenge.
Participants also will be able to attend nutrition and exercise classes. Weigh-ins will be Wednesdays at the YMCA.
