Free weight loss competition allows locals to get fit
By Meagan McGone
mmcgone@hometownnewsol.com
BREVARD -- It's been nearly one month since hopeful people everywhere welcomed a new year, in which they promised themselves that they would lose weight and get fit.
And 92 percent of those optimistic folks will not live up to their resolution, according to www.statisticbrain.com, a website that provides statistics on a variety of topics.
But Brevard businesses have teamed up to make the community stay true to their goals.
Brevard's biggest free weight-loss contest, "I'm losing it 2013," has gotten even bigger and better.
This year, it will add a new element - "Battle of the Gyms" - in which Planet Fitness of Melbourne, Sunbay Fitness of Melbourne, Sunbay Fitness of Viera, Anytime Fitness of Melbourne, Elite Fitness in Palm Bay, Maximum Fitness in Palm Bay and Beach Bodies Fitness will help to sign up contestants, as well as Nature's Market Health Foods Store.
The event has teamed up with the Hilton Rialto Place, Hometown News and many others to help Brevard residents "lose it" - the "it" being extra weight - in 2013.
This is the fourth contest, and last year's brought 110 participants.
This year, event organizers expect more than 170 individuals to participate. The contestants will not only receive prizes, but the gym whose team loses the most will get the "I'm losing it 2013 - Battle of the Gyms" trophy and bragging rights.
The contest begins with a fun walk from the Hilton Rialto Place to Nature's Market, where the contestants will weigh in and get their goodies and "I'm losing it" diet book. Then, they will walk back to the Hilton Rialto Place.
The contestants will work out and weigh in every week of the contest. Various walking and running events will be held, with special prizes and free items distributed throughout the five-month contest.
Contestants will receive free cooking classes from lucysinthekitchen.com, a website that shares the culinary secrets of Lucy Hendry, who manages the café at Nature's Market.
Additionally, contestants will receive discounts on goods and services from local healthcare and retail stores, and more.
As it has been in past years, the contest is free and entails weekly and monthly prizes.
This year, in addition to a yearlong gym membership, the grand prize will include a pair of beach-cruiser bicycles and a weekend stay at the Hilton Rialto Place.
The contest ends on June 29.
Nature's Market is located at 701 S. Apollo Blvd. in Melbourne.
For more information, or to sign up, visit www.imlosingit2013.com or call (321) 917-0721 or (321) 254-8688.