East Meadow, NY - As part of his “Healthy Nassau” initiative to make Nassau County the healthiest county in the nation, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi announced the winners of the County’s second “Biggest Loser” contest, a seven-month weight-loss competition for County employees.

The contest comprised two competitions: one for men and one for women. The three employees in each category, who successfully completed the competition and lost the most weight, won prizes as follows: First Prize winners receive $500, Second Prize is $300 and Third Prize winners take home $100. To successfully complete the competition, the participants had to attend four of six health-related presentations offered as part of the contest and weighed out.

“We hold the ‘Biggest Loser’ contest each year to promote fitness and encourage everyone make positive changes concerning their health,” said County Executive Suozzi. “We may have given these winners the incentive to do it, but all of them made the commitment to lose weight and be healthier, and they stuck with it. We are proud of their efforts and accomplishments. Their stories should inspire anyone who wants to make positive changes concerning their health.”

The 1st Place winner in the men’s competition is Michael Majikas of the Office of Physically Challenged, who lost 32 pounds. The 2nd Place winner is Joel Meirowitz, also of the Office of Physically Challenged, who lost 26 pounds and worked as a team with Mr. Majikas to lose weight, and the 3rd Place winner is Joseph Danenza, a Police Department employee who lost 22 pounds.

“I am very proud to be the winner of the “Biggest Loser” contest. I said I would win and stayed the course because of my son and personal trainer, Mike, Jr.,” said Michael Majikas. “I want to personally thank County Executive Tom Suozzi and Parks Commissioner Jose Lopez for hosting such an innovative and motivating program.”

The 1st Place winner in the women’s competition is Melanie McMillin, who works in the Police Department and lost 38 pounds – 24% of her starting body weight. The 2nd Place winner is Constance McLaughlin of the Department of Public Works, who lost 17 pounds; and the 3rd Place winner is Margaret Thivierge of the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency.

“The Biggest Loser Challenge provided an incentive to recognize the consequences of my choices and acquire free information on nutrition, exercise, fitness and a healthier mindset from the panel of volunteer professionals. Exercise variety, conscious eating, and supportive relationships were the keys to my success,” said Melanie MiMillin. “In addition to the loss of weight, I have achieved numerous collateral benefits of adopting a healthier lifestyle, including enhanced physical energy and stamina, psychic and spiritual balance, and heightened self-confidence. I encourage everyone to adopt a healthier lifestyle in order to live a longer, more gratifying life.”

In announcing the winners, County Executive Suozzi was joined by Bill and Jim Germanakos who competed on “The Biggest Loser” television show and lost a combined weight of 349 pounds. Together they are the current Champions of “The Biggest Loser” Season Four.

In addition to this year’s contest winners, County Executive Suozzi and County Comptroller Howard Weitzman made special recognition of Alice Rogers, an employee in the Comptrollers Office, for her loss of 148 pounds since the beginning of the County’s first “Biggest Loser” contest which was held last year. Although Alice was not a winner of that competition, she continued a weight-loss regimen on her own which resulted in losing nearly 50% of her initial weight of 316 pounds.

Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman said, “I know that everyone in the Comptroller’s Office joins me in congratulating Alice Rogers for her incredible weight loss achievement and her commitment to better health. She is an inspiration to all of us.”

Jim Germanakos, season four winner of the “Biggest Loser” television show stated, “The only way to get it done is to get it started. No more excuses!”

Alice Rogers lost 148 pounds since the beginning of the County’s first “Biggest Loser” contest

1st Place Winner Melanie McMillin	1st Place Winner Michael Majikas
2nd Place Winner Constance McLaughlin	2nd Place Winner Joel Meirowitz
3rd Place Winner Margaret Thivierge	3rd Place Winner Joseph Danenza