The phrase "winning is losing" sounds like a contradiction, but for a group of participants in the third annual business and industry weight loss challenge sponsored by Scotland Memorial Hospital, the paradox proved to be all too true.

"We had 181 participants this year, who ended the competition with a total weight loss of 1,076.4 pounds," Organizer Jeanne Kreuser said before the awards were presented in the hospital cafeteria Thursday. "We had seven companies participating, with 37 teams represented."

The winning team was Pilkington team number four, whose five members had a 6.4 percent weight loss after entering the challenge.

Warehouse Operator William Roberson was one of the participants.

"It feels really good to win," Roberson said after his team received their trophy. "It was hard to make the sacrifice of cutting out fried foods, walking regularly, and cutting back on portions, but I plan to stay with the change in lifestyle."

In addition to Roberson, team members included Paula Greene, Jimmy Morton, Brandon Pighet, and Dannie Wallace.

Scotland High School team number four finished in second place, with a 6.3 percent weight loss. In addition to the Pilkington team's trophy, members of each team received a certificate and a monetary reward for their efforts.

Also recognized in Thursday's award ceremony were the winners of the hospital's National Employee Health and Fitness Day event.

"Our teams have been competing all day today to win the very, very coveted bronze sneaker," hospital Marketing Coordinator Karen Gainey said. "This trophy has been passed around for about 17 years now, and all the teams desire to put it on display in their department."

A total of 133 participants representing 14 teams walked 248 miles in competition for this year's prize.

The winner of the bronze sneaker for 2009 was the "Volunteers from Heaven", the volunteer services department of Scotland Memorial Hospital. The team captain was Nancy Rogers. Second place was a team from rehab services, represented by the team called "Chuck Norris and the Kung Fu Fighters".

"I would like to extend a tremendous thanks to all in the community who participated in the third annual business and industry weight loss challenge, and to all hospital employees who competed for the bronze sneaker," Kreuser said. "We appreciate your efforts, and hope to see you again next year."

Scotland Memorial Hospital Senior Vice President for Operations Ruth Glazer was the master of ceremonies.