Cheyenne Hoffman is this year’s biggest loser, dropping 59 pounds – or 24 percent of his body weight – during the seventh annual Drop It Healthy Living and Weight Loss Challenge.
And for his hard work in the gym, the 34-year-old Culpeper Wood Preservers employee garnered $500 and a yearlong membership to Powell Wellness Center.
Culpeper Wood Preservers owner Joe Daniel also gave Hoffman an additional $500 as part of his employees’ participation.
This isn’t Hoffman’s first Drop It win. In 2014, Hoffman lost 59.4 pounds, or 24.85 percent of his body weight, collecting $500.
For Hoffman, cardio was the way to his weight loss during this year’s 12-week weight loss challenge.
“This time, I’m going to keep it off,” promised Hoffman.
This year’s teen winner was Ryleigh Brown, who dropped 14.9 pounds, or 8 percent of her body weight, garnering $100. Ryleigh also won the participation prize, garnering a Fit Bit Charge HR.
Kemper Hulvey, who lost about 12 pounds, won the adult participation prize, collecting $500 and a six-month PWC membership. For the participation prize, folks had to attend at least 10 fitness classes and both health screenings and their names were pulled from a raffle bin.
About 40 people filled the PWC lobby for Tuesday’s success celebration, featuring healthy snacks such as chicken satay, meatballs, fresh fruit, vegetables, miniature quiches and lemon-lime infused water.
The Drop It campaign offers free weight loss counseling and guidance to area residents during the 12-week program, featuring free fitness and wellness classes.
Each year, philanthropists Joe and Linda Daniel, combined with Novant Health UVa Health System Culpeper Medical Center, donate $50 ($20 from the Daniels and $30 from the hospital) to Germanna Community College’s Allied Health and Nursing program for each pound a participant sheds. This year, participants lost a combined 1,347 pounds, collecting $67,382 for the nursing program. Weight Watchers was added to the healthy living challenge this year for the first time.
“We’ve been involved with Germanna for over 30 years now and it’s one of the most valuable resources in this community and in the commonwealth,” said Joe Daniel.
Ashley Carter, administrative director of operations at the Culpeper Medical Center said Drop It is a wonderful partnership in the community.
“In addition to helping us get our community healthier, it also provides such wonderful scholarships supporting the nursing students,” she added.
In January, organizers held the kickoff which included several vendors who provided activities, health screenings, snacks, advice and workout sessions.
Since 2010, 9,497 people have registered; 2,501 have completed the program, losing 17,669 pounds and garnering $883,345 for the allied nursing program overall in the past seven years.
According to Powell Wellness Center officials, Joe and Linda Daniel have donated $353,338 and the hospital has actually given $530,007, totaling $883,35 during those years.
Joe Daniel told the crowd that while he was a patient at the hospital recovering from back surgery several years ago, he came up with the idea for the Drop It challenge.
“While I was there, it became very obvious to me that health and mobility are absolutely critical to a happy and successful lifestyle, and one of the things that impact our health is weight,” he said. “For those prone to diabetes and heart disease, the risk is there. The extra weight is also hard on your knees and hips.”
Retired physician Linda Daniel said she spent her career trying to help patients maintain their health.
“I made sure people got the right diagnosis, and that their care was appropriate and that their care was improved so they could live long lives,” she said.
Germanna’s dean of nursing and health technologies Patti Lisk said the community college offers two-year nursing programs including certified nursing, licensed practical nursing, nurse aide, registered nursing, surgical scrub nursing and physical therapy assistant.
PWC director Eric Good concluded Tuesday’s event by thanking everyone.
“This is my 33rd year in the fitness industry as I’ve dedicated my life to helping people live longer and be healthy. We want you to exercise and be healthy seven days a week,” concluded Good. “It’s like going to the grocery store. It’s something we have to do.”
Rhonda Simmons can be reached at rsimmons@starexponent.com or (540) 825-0771 ext. 125.
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