A Huntersville woman's quest to become "The Biggest Loser" has inspired a community-wide program designed to encourage residents battling weight issues.
The Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics Center, Earth Fare and Fleet Feet, along with media sponsor the Lake Norman Citizen, have teamed up to sponsor a local version of the Biggest Loser campaign in recognition of Emily Joy's commitment to reshape her body and her life.
Joy, 29, is one of 20 contestants on the new season of The Biggest Loser television show that premiers Tuesday, Jan. 3 on NBC. A former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools elementary teacher who had to step down from her job to participate in the show, Joy is now employed by Earth Fare in Huntersville and has already begun taking part in the competition, which puts contestants through a rigorous exercise and health-improvement regimen and produces weekly shows highlighting individual results.
The Biggest Loser-Huntersville will follow a similar format — without the lights, cameras and eliminations — to help selected candidates confront and defeat their weight and health demons by taking part in a concentrated, 10-week exercise and diet program.
The organizing phase for the local Biggest Loser has been fast-paced as a result of the tie-in with the TV show, and the application process is also in high gear. Applications to take part in the local program are now being accepted and must be turned in at HFFA, Earth Fare or Fleet Feet by Saturday, Jan. 7.
Dee Jetton, executive director at HFFA, is the point person for the recruitment process and says all details for the local program have meshed quickly.
"Because there is a Huntersville person taking part in the show, the idea just came together," says Jetton. "We didn't get permission to start publicizing this until last Friday and Earth Fare really worked hard to spread the word. We reached out to Fleet Feet and they jumped on board and we've been moving pretty fast ever since."
So fast, in fact, that at least for the moment, organizers are outrunning the Internet. Applications and information will be available as soon as possible on HFFA's Web site, but for now, applications are available at HFFA, 11725 Verhoeff Drive in Huntersville; Earth Fare, 14201 Boren Street just off Gilead Road in Huntersville; and the Fleet Feet store in Birkdale, 16620 Cranlyn Road, and the Lake Norman Citizen at 307 Gilead Road in Huntersville. Those with questions can contact Jetton at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Jetton said a selection committee will review the applications and eight to 10 candidates will be selected to take part at the conclusion of the wellness fair hosted by Earth Fare next Saturday. Those selected will be notified by e-mail, and must accept before 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8. The program begins Monday, Jan. 9.
One of the primary criteria for selecting candidates, Jetton explains, will be their reasons for wanting to lose weight and their expressed willingness and commitment to take part in all aspects of the intense program.
Participants should expect a minimum of 10 hours of training during each of the program's 10 weeks. Group sessions will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 5:30 to 7 p.m. each Friday. Those taking part in the program will also be encouraged to work out on their own during the weekends and challenged to participate in workshops and classes outside the framework of the specified program.
"Commitment is the key," Jetton says. "The program will be designed to provide all the assistance possible, but participants have to be determined to put forth the effort required."
Jetton says that, unlike the television show, participants will not be eliminated from the program as long as they stay actively involved.
"It is a competition, but the competition is there primarily to provide motivation," she says. "We want everyone to succeed but if someone is not taking part, it's only fair that we focus more of our attention on those committed to helping themselves."
To be selected, candidates should have between 50 and 100 pounds to lose and be willing to pay the $39 membership in the Biggest Loser club, a discounted three-month membership to HFFA ($75 spread out over installments) and $25 for specialize training through Fleet Feet.
Medical clearance to begin the exercise program will also be required and medical professionals from Lakeside Family Physicians have volunteered to provide basic medical advice for participants.
A Joy to compete
As one of 20 participants in the television version of "The Biggest Loser," Huntersville's Emily Joy has expressed determination to change her life.
In her brief biography submitted to the show, Joy said she was a competitive weightlifter during her childhood years in New York, earning medals in National Junior Olympic and Empire State Games events. She admitted to secretly overeating as early as the second grade and, after her weightlifting days ended and even while earning a bachelor's degree in childhood education and a master's in literacy, the overeating continued.
Now 29, Joy weighs 264 pounds and has been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Her announced goals are to start her 30s with a clean slate, healthy and ready to live life to the fullest. After losing the weight, she wants to travel to Europe and go hiking through her family's homeland in Sicily.
