Fit Friday: 'Lose To Win' Participants Meet Weight Loss Goals

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Last February, CBS4's Vanessa Borge visited Miami Children's Hospital for a Fit Friday special featuring a weight-loss program, called Lose to Win, offered to employees.

Lymaris Diaz was last year's winner. She won weighing in at 163 pounds—down from 239.

"When I saw pictures I thought, oh my God I can't believe I let myself get this big," Diaz said last year.

Diaz, last year, told Borge about a group of Miami Children's Hospital employees ready to take on the Lose to Win challenge.

The participants workout with a trainer twice a week, and meet with a dietitcian once a week during the six month program.

Helen Rabionet was one of this year's participants—winning the competition with her will and determination.

"I wanted to do a change in my life I hadn't been able to do before," Rabionet said.

Rabionet, with the loss of 51 pounds, went from a size 18 to an eight.

Her advice to someone who wants to lose weight is, "will power. Put your mind, set up to do it, it's your life, it's your health—if you want to live longer."

Sergio Gomez practiced will power, putting his mind in to it, and dropped 62 pounds.

"I've always said a goal without a plan is only a wish and I definitely had a goal and I made it happen," Gomez said.

Margaret Gibson, thanks to the program offered to MCH employees, lost 100 pounds.

While the program is certainly helpful, Diaz said the will to lose also comes from within.

"You have to put in effort continuously every day doing your part to work out, eating healthy, clean eating," Diaz said.

This year's team lost a combined total of 517 pounds. The next group of participants will begin in a couple weeks.