Erb Transport wins TCA-sponsored weight-loss competition

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NEW HAMBURG, Ont. — The scales have been tipped in Erb Transport’s favour, with the New Hamburg, Ont.-based firm winning the company portion of the Truckload Carriers Association’s (TCA) second Trucking’s Weight Loss Showdown.

The competition, managed by Lindora Clinic, got underway in September and pitted teams of drivers and staff from six carriers to see which individual and which company could achieve the greatest percentages of weight loss. Rhonda Yost, executive director of lease purchase for PGT Trucking of Monaca, Penn., took the top honour for individuals, losing 22.8% of her body weight during the competition.

Over a 10-week period, participants followed the Lean for Life program, which is based on a moderate-carbohydrate, low-fat, moderate-protein menu plan coupled with exercise, nutrition education, and lifestyle changes. The competitors received weekly phone calls from Lindora’s coaches, who educated them on nutrition and behavioural changes, helped boost their morale, supported them through their personal challenges, and recorded their weight loss.

The team from Erb Transport lost a total collective weight of 315 pounds, going from 2,594 to 2,279. This represented a 12.1% drop in the team’s combined weight. Erb will be receiving a $12,000 prize donated by TravelCenters of America/Petro as a reward for winning the company challenge.

“We are very proud of Team Erb for their accomplishments. Not only have they changed their own lives, but they have motivated others at the company to make lifestyle changes,” said Wendell Erb, president of Erb Transport, noting that the company may allocate some of the prize winnings to help jumpstart a healthy lifestyle with even more of its staff members.

Overall, 72 people participated in the second Showdown. Between all of them, 1,613.6 lbs. were shed. On average, all teams lost about 9.5% of their collective weight, and 27 individuals – or 38% – lost about 10% of their starting body weight. In addition to the official team participants, 38 other people tried the weight loss techniques alongside their official counterparts, representing another 728 (unofficial) pounds lost.

“These two Showdowns have been proud accomplishments for TCA, our membership and the trucking industry in general,” said Robert Low, TCA chairman and president and founder of Prime, Inc. “What better contribution can we make than by helping the trucking family work together toward a common goal that mutually benefits everyone? Even those who did not come away with a physical prize have won. After all, improved health is the best prize of all!”

TCA will recognize the achievements of the Showdown’s winners at its upcoming Recruitment and Retention Conference in Nashville Feb. 11-13. For more information on the competition, visit www.TruckingsWeightLossShowdown.com.

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