MedCentral’s Fitness Center is getting ready to kick off its third annual Best Loser community weight loss and exercise incentive challenge. The program starts October 7 and runs to November 17, and is open to members of the Fitness Center and the public.
The Best Loser competition is a six week contest in which teams consisting of four teammates work together to accumulate points week to week, accumulating as many as possible. With a focus on nutrition and exercise, participants will have weekly weigh-ins and an emphasis on exercise that includes; cardiovascular conditioning, aerobic and strength training.
Pre-registration starts September 16 with a deadline to register of October 3 or until the program reaches the maximum capacity of 80 participants. The cost of the program is $75.00 and includes; a team T-shirt, team and individual prizes, use of the MedCentral fitness facility at 1750 West Fourth Street, access to personal trainers and licensed dietitians.
Program Coordinator Carol Mabry said the goal of the program is, ”To teach people that it’s not just about weight loss, the goal is to teach them to make lifestyle changes that will help them maintain overall better health for the rest of their life.”
Final weigh-ins are 4 p.m. Sunday, November 17, but can be completed as early as Friday, November 15.
Individual and team winners will be announced at the Best Loser Celebration on Monday, November 18 from 7-8 p.m. and family and friends are welcome to attend.
Karen Lightfoot and her husband Paul participated in the last summer session of the Best Loser Challenge. “We really enjoyed it, it gave us great insight into keeping healthy,”said Karen. The couple along with their team members won first place in that competition. Lightfoot also added,”Everyone there are really wonderful, they really are there to help you and encourage you to be healthier.”
Team prizes are as follows; first place wins a 3-month membership or $75.00 fit voucher at MedCentral HFC, second place team a 2-month membership or $50.00 fit voucher at MedCentral HFC and third place is awarded a 1-month membership or a $25.00 fit voucher at MedCentral HFC.
Individual prizes are as follows; the individual with the greatest relative percentage of weight loss will receive a 3-month membership or $75.00 fit voucher at MedCentral HFC and the individual with the greatest scale weight loss will also receive a 3-month membership or $75.00 fit voucher at MedCentral HFC.
Mabry believes a program such as Best Loser can be a springboard for ongoing results, and a good way to bring the community together, making friends and inspiring one another to be healthier.
For those interested in participating in the Best Loser Challenge they may pick up or fill out a registration packet at MedCentral Health and Fitness Center, 1750 West Fourth Street or call for information 419-526-8900
