Mark and Angela Conley, Claypool, will spend the next three months challenging themselves mentally and physically in developing a healthier lifestyle.
The Conleys are one of 11 couples participating in Kosciusko Community YMCA's "Biggest Loser Couples Challenge."
There also are 27 individuals participating in the "Biggest Loser" challenge for individuals.
The two separate contests kicked off Monday at Kosciusko Community YMCA and will continue through March 30.
The challenges also are scheduled for this spring where there currently is a waiting list.The contests are designed for those who want to lose weight and are seeking support, education and competition to take charge of their health.
The couple and individual to lose the highest percentage of body fat during the three-month competition will receive a free couples membership for a year to the YMCA, a free night's stay at the Comfort Inn and Suites, Warsaw, and a variety of other gift certificates to use in the community.
Mark, 5-feet-7-inches, and 33 years old, has a goal of losing 60 to 70 pounds in the next three months.
Mark is employed by Instrumedical Technologies, Warsaw, as a polisher, working 12-hour days. He says by the time he comes home and spends time with his family, it is hard to find the motivation to exercise.
He said he is participating in the challenge to bring about change in his and his wife's lifestyles.
"I want to be healthier. Even if we don't win the challenge we plan to stick with exercising and becoming YMCA members," Mark said.
Angela, 5-feet-2-inches and 32 years old, has a goal of losing 70 pounds during the next three months.
Angela is a homemaker who cares for their two children, Paige, 11, and Prestton, 12, who has autism.
She said by the time she cooks, cleans and does laundry, it has been a challenge to find time to exercise. However, she said she and her husband decided together it was time they made it a routine to exercise.
She said the couple did taebo in their home to lose weight three years ago, but since then have not had a regular exercise routine.
Angela said she is participating in the challenge to show her children what a healthy lifestyle entails. She also wants to be able to again take up her gardening hobby and not be out of breath.
"I want to eat better and bring exercise into my life to show our children healthy ways to live and teach them a person eating whatever they want can cost them later in life," Angela said.
The Conleys will celebrate 15 years of marriage Feb. 26.
"We want to grow old together and have a healthier lifestyle so we can live longer," Angela said.
Stacy Thomas, Kosciusko Community YMCA wellness director, came up with the idea for the programs after she saw a few other YMCAs participating in similar programs.
The competition is a spin-off of this season's "Biggest Loser Couples Challenge" that kicked off Tuesday night on NBC.
The challenge on NBC encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a $250,000 grand prize.
This is the first time the YMCA has sponsored its own "Biggest Loser" challenge.
"The purpose of the program is to help individuals begin a workout program, give them information they can use in daily living, and motivate them to continue the lifestyle that they will learn throughout the program," Thomas said.
Participants will take part in 12 group exercise classes, six nutrition and exercise seminars, before and after photos, and two body composition tests.
They also are required to be in a variety of classes taught by YMCA aerobics instructors, such as body sculpting, cardiovascular challenge, kick boxing, circuit intervals, aerobic diversity and step challenge.
Thomas said they will learn about fad diets, how to stay motivated and read food labels, behavior modification techniques, the benefits of spirit and wellness and the body, and how to prepare a healthy meal.
The participants will receive a body composition test. The test provides results that are put into a computer program and gives the client's body fat percentage, taking into consideration the person's height, weight and age.
Other parts of the programs include nutrition and exercise assessments, weekly weigh-ins, four one-hour personal training sessions and a "Biggest Loser" t-shirt. "Biggest Loser" participants can use the YMCA for free.
An initial weigh-in and a final weigh-in is mandatory and participants were required to set up times for body composition and girth measurement tests that will be administered by Thomas and Nancy Boston, Kosciusko Community YMCA program director.
The weekly weigh-ins are Wednesdays and are performed by YMCA fitness monitors and Thomas.
An awards ceremony will be at 7 p.m. March 30 at the YMCA on Smith Street.
