In a time when nearly one in three Americans are obese, the
contest,
”
Gilroy’s No. 1 Loser,
”
loosely based on a reality television show of the same name, was
bound to be a smash
– and it was.
In a time when nearly one in three Americans are obese, the contest, “Gilroy’s No. 1 Loser,” loosely based on a reality television show of the same name, was bound to be a smash – and it was.
The contest was hosted by Gilroy Health and Fitness, where nine overweight contestants competed to lose the greatest percentage of body fat over a period of three months. The weight loss challenge, having begun on Sept. 15, ended in mid-December with two contestants, the top male and female loser, earning a dream getaway trip to a destination of their choice, valued at up to $3,000.
Saint Louise Regional Hospital, Gilroy Veterinary Hospital and the Door Expo were among the businesses that sponsored contestants.
“Gilroy’s No. 1 Loser” involved cardiovascular, core and resistance training, as well as nutrition counseling, and two one-on-one training sessions per week with a fitness expert. Contestants interviewed said the “Bodybugg” was a vital part of the weight loss challenge.
The Bodybugg is device on an armband that uses censors to read calories burned throughout a day during diet and exercise and other activities.
During Wednesday night weigh-ins, contestants were awarded prizes as incentives. The group attends a boot camp run by Hebe Navarro, Gilroy Health and Fitness aerobics and aquatic instructor. She combines a rigorous blend of cardio and resistance training with plyometric training – large explosive movements of a short duration – along with rock ‘n’ roll, rhythm and blues, soul, and “any other music that is inspiring,” she said.
“This is when I drive the nail home and crack the whip,” Navarro said with considerable zeal. “We love rocking the joint and we love to have fun.”
Boot Camp on Wednesday night weigh-ins is where everyone finds “camaraderie and support, as people and a group. This is where you find yourself and your voice … It’s about a life-time commitment to health, not just for that vacation or wedding,” Navarro said.
All of the contestants appeared to be having fun as Hebe spurred them on over a microphone to a driving beat, as participants endured physical tests of their mental resolve.
Ellen Rivera, a marketing consultant who helped manage the contest said each contestant has a compelling story. Her time with the contestants reconfirmed a core belief in the power of the human spirit to effect change.
“With a positive attitude you can overcome anything,” she said.
Mark Weber, a fitness coordinator also helping to manage the contest, councils the contestants in nutrition.
“Witnessing the remarkable improvements in the self esteem of those involved in the contest has been a reward in itself,” Weber said. “At the beginning of the contest, the weight issues the contestants entered with were very apparent. Everyone seemed very introverted and uncomfortable because of their condition and insecurities. Now it’s a whole different group.”
The winner was Scotty McNamara, 50, of McNamara Construction Co. in Gilroy, who lost 48 pounds.
“It was a shocking finale,” Rivera said.
McNamara said he enjoyed the food because he got to choose what to eat, “and the trainers are cool, especially one on one.”
McNamara and his wife Robin, have committed themselves to more personal training to reach their fitness goals to improve their quality of life. They are the parents of two adults sons. McNamara realized it was time to lose weight when he kept injuring himself on the job; one injury could have been life-threatening, because he lost his balance on some scaffolding.
Louis Alanis, 32, the runner-up, lost 41 pounds, but was just 1 percent away from the title. The Watsonville resident was sponsored by his uncle, Joel Jimenez, who wanted to help his nephew improve his quality of life by becoming more active and healthier.
Dominique Sierra, first in the female category with a loss of 51 pounds said the contest was the “most realistic weight loss program I’ve tried and I’ve tried many.”
Sierra, a 28-year-old mother of an 11-year-old, said that the food intake is satisfying, and is confident she will be able to keep the weight off. She has invested in six more months of personal training with part of her winnings. Dominique lost the highest percentage of weight for the entire challenge.
In the end, Gilroy’s No. 1 Loser accounted for more than 300 pounds of lost fat, which is meaningful in a time when, according to the U.S. Surgeon General report, obesity is responsible for 300,000 deaths every year.
Jonathan Clonts- – special to the Dispatch
