4 CSEA Members Honored in Biggest Loser Competition

Jose Rosa, posing above with his winner's check from the "Biggest Loser" competition.

EAST MEADOW- Four CSEA members might have lost a lot of weight between April and July of this year, but they are anything but losers. Bruce Edington and Pete Bello of Social Services, Jose Rosa of the Health Department and Rich Perrone of Public Works were all honored at the Nassau County Aquatic Center on July 19th as winners in the county’s “Biggest Loser” competition.

CSEA sponsored the winners’ checks for their members which were $300 for first, $200 for second, and $100 for third.

Edington came in first place among CSEA members. He lost 18.5% of his body weight for a total of 45 pounds. Edington said he saw a sign for the contest one day walking into work and knew instantly that this is what he had to do. With all his motivation he can now run up to 15-20 miles.

Peter Bello, right, poses with County Executive, Tom Suozzi, after receiving his winner's check.

As for Bello, he lost the most overall weight with a total of 53 pounds. A simple approach was taken by Pete as he just focused more on not eating at night, cutting out carbohydrates, and walking 2-3 times a day. Bello, who has been at DSS since 1990, said this isn’t the first time he lost this much weight. Back in 1993 he lost about 100 pounds. This time, he plans on sticking to it, he says.

The third place winner Rosa, works out of the Hempstead laboratory in the Health Department and has done so for 17 years. “I couldn’t have done this without my wife and daughter,” Rosa said. It was basically a huge lifestyle change for Jose as he quit smoking, and made a commitment to a low carbohydrate diet with lots of vegetables.

The final honoree from the CSEA is Rich Perrone, a 13 year CSEA member as a civil engineer out of DPW. Perrone lost 39 pounds, and said his athletic background and competitive nature was a big factor in losing the weight. Perrone spent a lot of his time walking his puppy to lose the weight. “I am proud to be a member of the CSEA team,” Perrone said at the ceremony.

Rich Perrone, right, receiving winner's check from County Executive, Tom Suozzi.

County Executive Tom Suozzi plans for this to be an annual competition. CSEA congratulates all their members who took part in the competition, and hope that they keep up the good work.