SPRINGFIELD - In an exciting final event held on Jan. 10 at the Healthplex^® Sports Club, Loretta Kelly of Springfield and Carolyn Houghton of Newtown Square were named the co-winners of the second “A New You” Lifestyle and Weight-Loss Challenge. In this unique competition sponsored by the Healthplex^® and Crozer-Keystone Health System, five participants were chosen out of many applicants in September to receive three months of free health and fitness-related services to see who could make the greatest improvement in their overall health.

During the comprehensive 12-week program, the five participants received a three-month all-inclusive Healthplex^Ò membership as well as three months of personal training from one of the club’s trainers; healthy food; and nutritional counseling from Healthy Inspirations at the Healthplex^Òand facials and massages from the Spa at the Healthplex. Throughout the program, the participants were monitored in several key areas - such as weight, body mass index, waist size, cholesterol, glucose and more - by the Center for Occupational Health at Springfield Hospital. A support group, led by club member Beryl Byles, kept the participants united and focused.

In a twist from last year’s inaugural competition, applicants who were not chosen to be one of the five participants in September were allowed to “buy” their way into the contest and compete for the top prize, which is a full year’s membership to the Healthplex^®, valued at more than $1,000. At least eight local residents took this offer and worked to lose weight and improve their health.

During the three-month period, Kelly lost 31 pounds, decreased her body fat by 6.1 percent and saw great increases in strength and flexibility. Houghton lost 41 pounds and saw her body fat decrease by 11.4 percent. Houghton was not one of the original five people chosen to compete in September. She is also the sister-in-law of Denise Mazza, last year’s A New You winner.

The club also awarded prizes – three-month memberships – to three of the other participants for their achievements. Mary Joan Ricker of Swarthmore came in third place, Michelle McCarney of Broomall was awarded fourth place, and Bettina Walls of Clifton Heights earned fifth place.

Ricker was also one of the original five participants chosen in September. In addition to Ricker and Kelly, others were Ginger Moberly of Linwood, Dorothy Patrick of Upland and Nancy Payne of Media.   

“This competition is really about learning how to live a healthy lifestyle, and everyone who participated certainly achieved that goal. I want to extend my congratulations to everyone for the positives strides they made,” said Jim Gallagher, president of the Healthplex^® Sports Club. “To determine the winners, we looked at all of the areas we test – from weight to cholesterol levels to strength – and assigned points to each participant based on their performance. When Loretta and Carolyn came out with the exact same number of points, we decided to award two first prizes this year.”

At the culminating event, attended by many of their families and friends, the participants expressed their gratitude to the club, their personal trainers and Healthy Inspirations. The participants explained how their lives were changed for the better, and how they expected to remain committed to their new lifestyles.