TIFTON — After 12 weeks of implementing life-long lifestyle changes, Tifton’s Biggest Loser competition has yielded its two victors.

Keith Rucker was named the individual male biggest loser by shedding a sizeable 41 pounds and trimming 11.75 inches from his waistline. Most importantly, however, Rucker reduced his cholesterol from 175 to 146 and lowered his resting heart rate by 21 beats per minute.

On the female side of the board, Donna Horsley dropped 27.25 pounds and gave up 10 inches from her waist and hips. She also dramatically lowered her cholesterol and decreased her resting heart rate by 21 beats per minute.

In the team competition, Citizen’s Hardware team members Ronnie Greer, Linda Greer, Debbie Williams, Teri Mathis, Sommer Dunston and Mandy Stone lost a combined 87 pounds and 31 inches from their waists and hips.

The group also managed to reduce their resting heart rate by 16.7 percent, their blood pressure by 15 percent, increase their flexibility by 14 percent, reduce their cholesterol by eight percent and reduce their body fat by six percent.

Rehabilitation Services of Tifton, or RST, started the competition back in January as a fundraiser for the Relay for Life, the annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, and to help the community to become more fit.

Organizer Cindy Spurlin is happy with the performance of those who participated.

“I am extremely pleased with the progress these participants have made,” Spurlin said. “No only have they lost weight and inches, but they have made a choice to modify their lifestyles.”

During the 12-week competition, team members and individual competitors met for regular weigh-ins and measurings. The organizers didn’t force participants to stick to a rigid diet, but did approve a wide range of healthy options to guide them along their way to a healthy lifestyle.

Participants were not allowed to use any kind of chemical aid to speed up the weight loss process.

Horsely, Rucker and the team from Citizens’ Hardware were heralded at the completion of the event Monday night for their success.

The competition was able to raise $3,400 for the relay and, thanks to the healthy turn-out and success of the participants, RST plans to make it an annual event.

“We plan on making this our annual fundraiser for our Relay for Life Team, so Tifton can get ready for next January to begin our second annual “Tifton Biggest Loser.”