When Gerry St. Cyr wanted to get in better shape and lose weight, he decided to turn it into a competition.
“I wanted to find four guys on a very busy schedule,” St. Cyr said. “I wanted to know if the four of us could do it. If we could then anyone could.”
St. Cyr scouted out Evan Parliament, the administrator for the District of Sooke, Troy DeSouza, the federal Conservative candidate for the Esquimalt- Juan de Fuca riding and Mike Adamek, owner of Adamek Financial.
The competition began Nov. 15 and concluded April 13 during a weigh-in at Herbal Magic, a weight loss and nutrition store.
Parliament won by a landslide with a whopping loss of 53 pounds and total of 47 inches off his body.
“I needed it, I started off at 282 pounds,” Parliament said. “It’s not so much winning, it’s about how I feel.”
While he’s always wanted to get in shape, Parliament credits this wager in getting him to turn his wishful thinking into a reality. “My advice to other people is to just do it,” he said.
As part of the wager Parliament was able to pick a charity of his choice for the other three to donate $1,000 each. He selected the Langford-based charity SportAssist, an organization that helps underprivileged kids participate in sports.
“It’s awesome every dollar helps kids in our community,” said St. Cyr the founder of SportAssist. “Even though I am $1,000 out of pocket, I am glad it went to a great cause.”
St. Cyr finished the challenge 16 pounds lighter and minus 25 inches. DeSouza lost 11 pounds and 13 inches. Adamek’s losses weren’t available at press time.
“We all make excuses and say we are too busy,” said St. Cyr who is the facilitator of City Centre Park, the coach of the men’s national roller hockey team and the father to a 13-month-old daughter.
For exercise St. Cyr played roller hockey and chased his daughter around.
DeSouza is also a busy man, found the time to compete in this challenge. “I have two full-time jobs and I am a full-time father,” DeSouza said.
DeSouza hired a personal trainer who worked with him two times a week. He also walked to work and spent time hiking with his family.
“I just made time to do it,” he said. “I feel great. It was all about a healthy lifestyle for me.”
The four contenders didn’t know each other and we not friends when they started this wager. “We still aren’t friends,” St. Cyr joked.
reporter@goldstreamgazette.com