Largest Loser Holds Casting Call

It's that dreaded time of the year again. We've been saying for months we're going to get the extra weight off and finally start to take care of our bodies. Now we're staring at springtime and we've got the same chub we started the year with. 

The Jewish Community Center has an answer: the sixth Largest Loser Contest. The JCC is holding casting call interviews Sunday, March 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday from 5-7 p.m., for those who want to lose more than 10 lbs. The eight-week competition runs from April 10 to June 5.

During a casting call, trainers will personally discuss medical and weight management history, fitness goals and lifestyle. A 'before' photo will be taken and applicants will be notified within two weeks if they've been accepted. The average person will lose about 30 pounds during the competition.

The program includes four group lectures with a registered dietician.

According to Susan Donovan, Director of Fitness Services at the JCC, the program is mirrored closely to the television show The Biggest Loser, except nobody is kicked out of the JCC version.

"The nutrition program is fabulous. They're given the information they need to lose weight healthfully," Donovan says. "This is a fun contest to motivate people, but our long-term goal is to get these people healthy--to lose the weight, maintain their weight and learn healthy eating."

 Those who are not chosen for a team are not turned away. Of the 50-60 applications, 30 are placed on a team and the others are invited to join a shadow team, which is weekly group training. The contest costs $349 for JCC members and $399 for non-members.

"We've had people who have to lose 50 pounds, 100 pounds and even more. The average seems to be about 30-40 pounds," she says.

Three teams are formed and led by two trainers each. "The trainers will want to pick people they see a connection with or they see as very serious about the competition," Donovan says. The trainers build a camaradarie with their team and the friendly dynamic results in long-term effects.

Contestants are required to commit to working out three times per week with their team (though most are spotted at the gym just about every day) and weigh in each Sunday morning. During the course of the eight weeks, four fitness competitions are held, also on Sundays. They include obstacle courses, relay runs, and even an indoor triatholon.

"That's at the end of the contest where we're really testing their fitness," Donovan says. 

The one man and one woman who lose the largest percentage of body weight will be crowned the Largest Loser and the winning team will receive prizes donated by local businesses as well. Members on the winning team will receive makeovers at a local salon and other prizes.

"It's quite a motivating experience," Donovan says. In the 2009 competition, Robert Salke lost over 64 lbs. and more than 29% of his body weight. His picture is featured on the brochure being used for this spring's competiton.