PLAINFIELD – Employees at The Health Center in Plainfield regularly counsel patients about good nutrition habits and urge them to lose weight and exercise more to improve their health.

This winter, we're told 20 staff members decided to "walk the talk" with their own "Biggest Loser" challenge. During the eight week contest, participants lost a combined total of 103.5 pounds.

Here's how it worked.

"Biggest Loser" participants paid $5 a week to cement their commitment to the program. The money was used to reward everyone who successfully completed the program, and to donate $1 per each pound lost to the Vermont Foodbank.

A nurse who will remain nameless won the contest by dropping 17 pounds and pocketing $120 along the way.

"I didn't do it for the money," she says. "I feel much better about myself."

So does the Veromont Foodbank, according to Physician Assistant Marge Bower.

"We're happy to give $105 to the Foodbank," Bower says. "This is food from us to those who need it more."

Bower and co-organizer, nutritionist Janice Waterman, tell us "Biggest Loser" was such an overwhelming success that they're planning on expanding the contest this spring. Seems the folks at the Health Center have challenged employees at Berlin Family Health to a friendly competition. The winner will winner will earn bragging rights, a wall plaque and a "Biggest Loser" trophy. The results should be available soon and we'll let you know who won by losing as soon as we hear.