Reeds Spring coach wins Smartest Loser contest

Todd Mercer lost 54.5 pounds and 39 percent of his body fat during the competition, sponsored by Skaggs Health and Fitness Center and The Vacation Channel in Branson.

According to a news release, the primary goal of the competition was to show individuals how to change their lifestyles to lose weight, get fit and stay fit in a healthy way.

A secondary goal of the contest, which was open to Branson-area school district personnel, was to encourage children to get excited about incorporating physical activity and good nutrition into their daily routines, with an overall goal of decreasing the negative impact of childhood obesity in the community.

Mercer won the competition by having the greatest reduction in body fat during the contest.

“It changed my life. I’m sleeping better, I have more energy,” Mercer said in the release.

“My doctor had said I was pre-diabetic, but I have that under control now. Once I got started with the program, I really enjoyed it and felt motivated.”

Contestants were given free six-month memberships to Skaggs Health and Fitness Center and received personal fitness testing, a nutrition plan and weekly personal training sessions.

Contestants were required to work out a minimum of three times a week and submit a weekly exercise and nutrition journal.

Mercer’s grand prize package, valued at more than $3,500, includes a two-night stay, dinner for two and his and hers massages at Chateau on the Lake Resort and Spa; four-hour pontoon-with-tube rental from State Park Marina; a $250 shopping spree at Tanger Factory Outlet Center; a 32-inch flat screen TV from The Vacation Channel; $100 cash from Ozark Mountain Bank; a laptop computer from Aux Arcs Real Estate; Sunday brunch for two at Dobyns Dining Room at the Keeter Center; two one-day passes to Silver Dollar City; two one-day passes to Celebration City; and a one-year family membership to Skaggs Health and Fitness Center.

The other four contestants each received $50 cash from Ozark Mountain Bank; Sunday brunch for two at Dobyns Dining Room at the College of the Ozarks’ Keeter Center; two one-day passes to Silver Dollar City; two one-day passes to Celebration City; and one-year individual memberships at Skaggs Health and Fitness Center.