Losing weight has never come easy for Robert Starnes, but he thinks his luck is about to change.
The 45-year-old Chattanooga resident is one of two finalists already chosen for the second “season” of Chattanooga’s Biggest Loser, which kicks off Jan. 31. Applications for the remaining 10 spots will be accepted through Friday.
“I’ve lost and gained a lot of weight in my lifetime, but this is the largest I’ve ever been,” said Mr. Starnes, whose starting weight is 414 pounds. “I’m doing this because I want to be healthy and live longer. Health problems run in my family, and I think this will help curb that.”
Chattanooga’s Biggest Loser began in October last year after local gym owners Kevin and Kristen Harvey decided they wanted to help people struggling with their weight. The contest is modeled after the popular reality TV show on NBC, but includes many of the same boot-camp techniques the Harveys have been using at Ignite Fitness for more than two years.
This time, the contest will last 12 weeks, as opposed to the previous 10, and has a focus on motivation rather than weight loss.
“I think it’s going to focus more on motivation and mental strategies to keep people going and maintain (their weight loss) after reaching their goal weight,” Mrs. Harvey said. “We found that a lot of times most people who’ve gained a lot of weight have because they don’t have those mental strategies in place. We want participants to lose weight the healthy way and really be able to focus on the full spectrum of emotional health as well.”
Returning for a second time is Larry Joiner, a 44-year-old Chattanooga resident who weighed in at nearly 500 pounds last August. Now under 400 pounds, Mr. Joiner said he’s trying to reach 200 pounds by the end of the 12-week competition.
“I begged and pleaded them to let me into Season Two,” he said. “I’ve still got a long way to go.”
Though the contest is essentially about dropping pounds, Mrs. Harvey said a person’s starting weight isn’t the only factor in the selection process. It’s more about how the weight is affecting the person’s life and their overall reason for wanting to lose it, she said.
Another key component is being healthy enough to participate in the boot camp program, she said.
“We want somebody who is able to participate in a rigorous exercise program and has doctor clearance,” Mrs. Harvey said. “It’s not just people who want to look good in their shorts. We want people who are committed and driven to make a permanent change.”
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MORE ONLINE
At timesfreepress.com/news/shape, find a BMI calculator, a nutritionist’s column, a dieters’ blog, dieters’ success stories, FAQs on obesity, links to Web pages with information on healthy living.
TO PARTICIPATE
* Call or e-mail Kristen Harvey at 423-718-8758 or info@sceniccitybootcamp.com by Friday.
* Tell Mrs. Harvey you are interested in becoming a contestant in Chattanooga’s Biggest Loser competition. Provide your contact information.
* She will call you to set up a time for a personal interview.
* During the interview you’ll be making a three-minute video. Be prepared to tell your story and answer why you want to be Chattanooga’s Biggest Loser.
* Even if you’re not chosen as a finalist, you can attend weekly public workouts on Sundays at 2:30 p.m. at Ignite Fitness in Hixson at 4728 Adams Road. The kick-off event is 2 p.m. on Jan. 31.
Source: Kristen Harvey
LAST SEASON’S STATS
10: Weeks of training
12: Biggest Loser finalists
65: Pounds lost by winner Noreen Risko, who lost 17 percent of her body weight
340: Pounds collectively lost
Source: Chattanooga’s Biggest Loser news release
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