After losing an estimated 1,000 pounds as a group, the 43 participants in Chattanooga’s Biggest Loser Competition aren’t ready to quit.
“It’s been so encouraging to see the life changes that have taken place,” said competition coordinator and participant Amy Kelly of the three-month program. “I knew how to eat healthy and definitely learned more through this program, but the success of Biggest Loser was absolutely a matter of getting the support and direction to follow through with these changes.”
In an effort to keep up the lifestyle changes, continue achieving weight loss goals and renew group accountability, competition coordinators are getting ready to launch a new fitness program this April that they hope will take participants to the next level.
Called Fuel Fitness, the new program begins in April and will incorporate twice-a-week group workout sessions, weekly weigh-ins, daily nutrition plans and at-home workouts prepared by independent trainer Abel Gonzalez. All participants must register by March 27
“I’m really trying to help change people’s lives, so I’m going to go above and beyond with the program,” said Gonzalez. “The difference in this program and working with a trainer at the gym is that with us there are 30 or 40 or 60 other people in the same position as you.”
According to Kelly, much of the success from the Biggest Loser Competition came from the support network participants formed through Facebook and new friendships, and they plan for the network system to continue with Fuel Fitness.
“It really extended beyond just a weight loss group and turned into a fitness family,” she said.
Gonzalez said the location and exact times are yet to be determined, but he plans to offer two time slots for the workout sessions and anticipates those days will either be Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Thursday.
Participation in Fuel Fitness costs $300 per person. The balance can either be paid up front or per month, but Gonzalez said in order to participate a person must commit to the entire three-month program.
“This is going to be about so much more than just the physical component,” said Gonzalez. “There are so many weight loss programs that don’t address the mental side of it, but they are so connected. At the end of the day when you’re struggling with things in your personal life, the only thing that can really take your mind off it is physical exercise.”
Kelly said over the course of Chattanooga’s Biggest Loser Competition she saw firsthand how exercise and weight loss lifted the spirits of participants. It also lifted physical burdens from them that enabled people to have higher energy levels, perform their jobs better and play with their kids more, she said.
“Hands down, the goal for Fuel Fitness is to continue to make these lifestyle changes,” said Kelly. “This program is going to be even more in-depth and targeted to help people lose weight and maintain the level of fitness we are working to achieve. I’m so excited to see people excited and bringing their family and friends along for the ride.”
Fuel for life
For more information about Fuel Fitness, contact Gonzalez at abelanthonygonzalez@gmail.com or Kelly at 653-6094.