Emporia’s Biggest Losers
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 01:43 p.m., February 4, 2008
Updated 01:43 p.m., February 4, 2008
A father-daughter entry has won The Biggest Loser contest co-sponsored by Walburn’s Athletic Club and the local Subway restaurants.
John and Beth Kosko lost a combined total of 49 pounds and 6.5 percent of their body fat, according to figures provided by sponsors.
The pair weighed in for the contest on Nov. 19.
Beth’s loss was considerably less than her father’s.
“Compared to my Dad, it’s ridiculous,” Beth said. “My dad’s quite a bit bigger than I am”.
Beth’s exercising often consisted of walking.
Under a plan designed by personal trainer Jesse Moran, John worked out on a treadmill at Walburn’s for about 45 minutes a day — sometimes longer — five days a week. His regimen was based on age, target cardiovascular and other health-related goals that fit John personally. The intent is not only to lose weight but reduce his prospect of cardiac or stroke incidents.
The treadmill showed him his heart rate, distance and speed, and estimated calories expended for a normal-sized person.
“Because I started out big, I burned about twice as much (calories) as a normal person,” John said.
He lost 11 inches from his waist and, despite dieting along with exercising, didn’t suffer from hunger.
“It was OK for me, because I made sure that I had about 1,500 calories a day,” he said. “I wasn’t starving myself. … The key to any weight loss is dieting. It’s actually a combination of the two.”
Both Koskos said they actually did eat Subway sandwiches as part of their diet regimen.
“Make sure you have snacks that are healthy, within the parameters of your die — and Subway sandwiches can be part of that,” he said. “You just have to make sure you plan, particularly when you’re going to be away from home.”
As part of Phase 2 of his trim-down, he plans to allow himself 2,000 calories a day and exercise perhaps three times a week instead of five.
Beth, on the other hand, will be riding a new bicycle. It was one of the prizes for winning The Biggest Loser competition.
Each Kosko received a certificate from Subway for 20 percent off any sub sandwich or salad for the remainder of the year, and a certificate from High Gear for $100 off a bicycle.
“I think what I’m going to do is combine mine with hers and let her get one,” Kosko said of the bicycle option. “I don’t need one.”