Local residents lose 300 pounds in two weeks

The Buck Run Community Center is helping local residents to become the biggest loser.

Forty-four local residents have joined the 2010 Biggest Loser competition sponsored by the BRCC. Together, after three weigh-ins, the group has lost more than 300 pounds.

"We just thought ... wow ... 300 pounds in two weeks," BRCC Director Tom Robertson said.

The competition began last year when Robertson asked a couple of friends if they wanted to have a little competition. He said it became quite popular and he decided to expand it this year.

"This year all we did was put a rules sheet together and sent a mass e-mail to everyone in my e-mail list ... and ask them to forward it on," Robertson said. "Just that little promotion there, we were able to get 40-some people."

Contest participant Jamie Beckham said she joined the competition because she was looking for some accountability to help keep the weight off. So far she has met her goal each week.

"I'm not going for the grand prize biggest losers, I'm just looking for some accountability," she said.

Beckham said it has helped her that her name is on a poster in the weight room at BRCC that tracks the competitors progress.

"It's there for anyone to see, kind of gives you a little incentive," Beckham said.

According to Robertson, the competitors paid $20 at the first weigh-in. Each competitor has a goal to lose one percent of their weight from the previous week for 15 weeks. If the goal is met, they get $1 back; if the goal is not met, $1 gets put into a pot which is awarded to the person who lost the most weight that week. The remaining $5 then goes into a pot which is awarded to the man and woman who loses the most percentage of weight.

Robertson said the purpose of the competition is to promote fitness and give to the community, not make money for BRCC.

"We don't just look at it as an opportunity to promote fitness, but just do something for the community," he said. "Everybody wants to lose weight, get fit, and feel good about themselves."

Competitors do not have to have a fitness membership at BRCC. Robertson said competitors can work out whenever and wherever they want.

"All we're doing is keeping track of the weight loss ... giving them goals," he said.