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The weight is over.
For Michelle Merrigan and Thomas Maher, both of Honesdale, the wait was over Friday for receiving the fruits of their labor -- losing more than 40 pounds each -- in the third annual Weight No More contest.
Merrigan and Maher, both 35, finished on top of the standings for men and women in an 11-week contest, sponsored by The Wayne Independent and the Wayne County YMCA.
For their efforts, they were handed gift baskets by TWI Advertising Director Ben Tucker and checks from Mark Graziadio, vice president of The Honesdale National Bank.
"This contest has been great," said Tina Hoehn, executive director of the Wayne County YMCA. "We've added more participants every year. The community looks forward to checking the results. They call us each week to see who is winning. It's been a great addition." Maher signed up for the first time this year in an effort to "keep up with his kids," his two daughters, ages 4 and 6.
But it wasn't easy.
Maher, who weighed in at 264 pounds, had to shed maybe a few tears -- and his favorite candy -- to shed the pounds. "It was a matter of discipline and reading labels," he said. "But once you start looking around, you find substitutes."
Those included exchanging Coke for Zero Coke, burgers for veggie burgers and keeping fruits and vegetables close at hand."
He also received some strong support from his wife Jamie, who lost 28 pounds along the way as well.
The secret, Maher said, is cutting out sugar. But temptation is always right around the corner.
"My big weakness is candy, anything chocolate," Maher said. "Gummy Bears were tough, but I found some that are sugar free."
Merrigan tried the program two years ago and came in in 3rd or 4th place. She was inspired to go all the way to the top.
"I changed all of the food I was eating," the mother of three said. "I ate fish instead of grabbing pizza. I only drink water now. It's pretty tough. I don't crave stuff any more."
So how will the two keep the weight off. Maher now bikes all around the borough; Merrigan hits the Y every day, sometimes twice a day. I'm in it for the long term," she said.
The weight is over.
For Michelle Merrigan and Thomas Maher, both of Honesdale, the wait was over Friday for receiving the fruits of their labor -- losing more than 40 pounds each -- in the third annual Weight No More contest.
Merrigan and Maher, both 35, finished on top of the standings for men and women in an 11-week contest, sponsored by The Wayne Independent and the Wayne County YMCA.
For their efforts, they were handed gift baskets by TWI Advertising Director Ben Tucker and checks from Mark Graziadio, vice president of The Honesdale National Bank.
"This contest has been great," said Tina Hoehn, executive director of the Wayne County YMCA. "We've added more participants every year. The community looks forward to checking the results. They call us each week to see who is winning. It's been a great addition." Maher signed up for the first time this year in an effort to "keep up with his kids," his two daughters, ages 4 and 6.
But it wasn't easy.
Maher, who weighed in at 264 pounds, had to shed maybe a few tears -- and his favorite candy -- to shed the pounds. "It was a matter of discipline and reading labels," he said. "But once you start looking around, you find substitutes."
Those included exchanging Coke for Zero Coke, burgers for veggie burgers and keeping fruits and vegetables close at hand."
He also received some strong support from his wife Jamie, who lost 28 pounds along the way as well.
The secret, Maher said, is cutting out sugar. But temptation is always right around the corner.
"My big weakness is candy, anything chocolate," Maher said. "Gummy Bears were tough, but I found some that are sugar free."
Merrigan tried the program two years ago and came in in 3rd or 4th place. She was inspired to go all the way to the top.
"I changed all of the food I was eating," the mother of three said. "I ate fish instead of grabbing pizza. I only drink water now. It's pretty tough. I don't crave stuff any more."
So how will the two keep the weight off. Maher now bikes all around the borough; Merrigan hits the Y every day, sometimes twice a day. I'm in it for the long term," she said.
