Weighting in Fontana

Article Date: 1/10/07

By Leonor Vivanco, The Sun

FONTANA - You've slacked off on counting the number of calories in a meal. You didn't stick to healthy salads but instead overindulged in greasy french fries. You've used every excuse to evade the gym.

Photo Gallery: 01/10: Fontana's biggest loser

Yet somehow you hope the next time you step on the scale, the needle lands on a few pounds less than the last time.

To give a gentle nudge to city employees to shed some pounds, the city's employee library fundraising committee and the Healthy Fontana Program are holding a friendly competition: "Who will be Fontana's Biggest Loser?"

Modeled after the popular NBC television show, Fontana's cast will feature 91 contestants, each of whom paid $20 to participate. Half of the money will go toward the new library now under construction downtown and the other half in the pot is for the two employees who lose the highest percentage of their starting weight. The winners, one man and one woman, will be announced March 7.

Contestants took their first steps Wednesday at the official weigh-in. Every week for eight weeks, they'll return to the scale to see their progress, and the top losers will be rewarded with prizes such as gift cards to sporting goods stores.

Working out and eating healthy seemed to top the list of strategies to win.

With pedometers clipped to their waistbands, some contestants plan to walk one mile in groups at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. A personal trainer will be on hand twice a week to meet with the employees for free.

They'll be trading in soda for water and junk food for crunchy vegetables. A nutritionist will talk to them about packing healthy meals.

"It helps our employees eliminate obesity among themselves and if nothing else it helps them be healthier, which equates to less sick hours and increases productivity," Councilwoman Acquanetta Warren said about the contest. "We care about our employees. We want them to be healthy and happy."

Both Vanessa Cortez, 24, and Jason Jaurique, 28, said losing 20 pounds over the next eight weeks would make them feel better about themselves.

Cortez took a deep breath as she stepped on the scale Wednesday. The 252-pound community services coordinator wants to lose 20 pounds in the competition but at least 50 pounds overall.

"I'd be lying if I didn't say it had a little bit to do with old clothing or seeing old photographs," she said.

But her goal is also to be comfortable with herself.

"I feel myself getting a little out of breath at times when I used to not," she said.

"Every time I go shopping, I have to go a little size bigger."

She plans on exercising once a day, controlling her food portions and cutting down on bread and potatoes.

"I'm more of a let me go to the corner and the nearest fast-food joint and get me some chili cheese fries with extra cheese and all the stuff that's really bad," Cortez said.

Jaurique, who works in the city Information Technology Department, said his game plan is to stay away from fast-food and cut out junk food like his favorite, ice cream.

The former high school water polo player, swimmer and wrestler has noticed his pants are a little tighter and he has shortness of breath now that he weighs 306 pounds.

He said some people see his old water polo picture and have a hard time believing it's him.

"They'd be shocked and (say), 'That's not you, Jason.' It's like two of me, three of me," he said.

He said he'll start exercising at the gym before or after work and play racquetball at lunch so he can get back into shape and stay active with his 1-year-old daughter.

"It'll be a change," Jaurique said. "It's going to be hard because I'm used to going out for lunch, getting a quick bite to eat, snacking on ice cream or chips when I get home." How to fit in exercise

Keeping track of your workouts can help you be more consistent.

Find a workout buddy to keep you motivated or exercise with family members.

Get professional advice from a personal trainer or nutritionist. Starting out on the right foot can make exercise more effective and more fun.

Be active. It doesn't have to be in a health club or an aerobics class and you don't have to wear special clothes or perform complicated activities. It's as simple as making a choice. Will you park right next to the door at work today or will you walk a few extra feet? Will you take a walk after work or sit down and have a drink? Will you wash the car on Saturday or sleep in? Every day you have the option of being more active.

Focus on the good things. The more you get your body moving, the more energy you'll have to fulfill your daily obligations. Exercise also helps you sleep better, and it keeps you alert all day long so it's much easier to impress your boss with how smart you are.

Be consistent. Stick with it and you'll see results.

Reward yourself with a massage, a weekend vacation or new workout gear/clothes.

More information: (909) 350-6542 or www.healthyfontana.org.