Vejay Steede is half the man he used to be after losing a whopping 77 pounds.

The 36-year-old is the winner of this year's '100-Day Challenge', which saw the ten finalists lose a total 530.8 pounds and 285.25 inches.

From early Saturday morning boot camps to assault courses with the Bermuda Regiment, Police and Fire Service, it was a gruelling battle of the bulge, all played out in front of the TV cameras.

In what was Bermuda's "first reality TV show", viewers tuned into ZBM Channel 9 to watch the trials and tribulations of the contestants, complete with 'American Idol'-style eliminations.

However the rewards were sweet, with each finalist presented with a treatment at Samadhi Spa and $5 for every pound lost from Capital G bank.

Mr. Steede and female winner Nakisha Gilbert were also given $1,500 from Capital G plus a Premier night's accommodation at Elbow Beach, dinner at Seahorse Grill and a 60-minute Samadhi Spa massage.

Members of the winning East Team also received a Premier night's stay at the hotel.

Andrew Phillips, CEO of Global Arts Entertainment which produced the TV show, congratulated all the competitors.

"They all did really well. They really had to dig into themselves to find out what they were made of," he said.

He said the show had proved so popular, people are already applying for next year's challenge.

"The local viewership has been tremendous," said Mr. Phillips. "The response has been completely off-the-chain.

"People love to watch people they know, especially doing something they might be scared to do themselves, and with the variety of venues we had we tried to keep it exciting.

"This was Bermuda's first reality TV show and the sponsors are already on board for next year. I think it was just fascinating to watch, and also quite inspiring.

"So many people are applying for next year's show, I think we will have to have auditions."

This year's competitors had to undergo gym training twice a day for four days a week, plus team training on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The West team was overseen by Olympic Club trainer Sharlene de Souza, and the East team by Seaview Gym trainer Ross Caesar.

Each participant had an individual exercise programme as well as group workout sessions and the military-style assault courses. Then every Saturday morning, boot camp took place at a different outdoor location, rain or shine.

Mr. Steede, whose 77lb loss topped the 66lbs of last year's winner Darren Woods, said: "It was tough, and the strict diet plan was even tougher than the exercises, but as we went along we all got fitter.

"We all helped each other, and each team had a strong family vibe. If anyone was faltering, we encouraged each other."

Mr. Steede, an educational therapist from St. George's, said: "I feel great. I've got a lot more energy now and can buy clothes off-the-rack so don't have to go online so much. I can fit into much smaller clothes now."

Mr. Steede was a member of the East team. Female winner Nakisha Gilbert, who lost 52lbs, was a contestant on the West team.

Miss Gilbert, a 34-year-old community worker from Devonshire, said: "It was tough but after 50 days it started to get easier as the pounds dropped off."

Commenting on her win, she said: "I was shocked but it's starting to grow on me now and I'm in awe of myself that I did it. I feel a lot more energetic now."

The 'Live Healthy Bermuda 100-Day Challenge' was launched last year through the Bermuda Diabetes Association, Lindo's supermarket, Aspen Insurance, the Department of Health, and Quaker Oats. It was the first programme to be initiated outside of the US by 'Live Healthy America', a non-profit organisation from Iowa.

'The Bermuda 100-Day Challenge' was sponsored by M3 Wireless, BF&M, Lindo's and Capital G.