Huntersville's Emily Joy survived the first week of The Biggest Loser on television, but those wanting to participate in a local version of the weight-loss program are fast approaching an elimination deadline.
The Biggest Loser-Huntersville is accepting applications through Saturday, Jan. 7. Candidates will be chosen Saturday evening after the wellness fair hosted by Earth Fare in Huntersville and the full-throttle process of losing weight and living healthier begins Monday, Jan. 10.
Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics, Earth Fare, Fleet Feet in Birkdale, Lakeside Family Physicians and the Lake Norman Citizen are sponsoring the contest and applications are available at those locations.
Dee Jetton, executive director of HFFA, said despite the tight time frame allowed for applications, the response has been impressive.
"We've had amazing support for the program," she wrote in an e-mailed update, "and already have a lot of applications submitted."
Jetton and other organizers are putting the finishing touches on the multi-faceted program that will be designed to help local residents committed to losing weight reach their goals.
The selection committee will select eight to 10 candidates Saturday and notify them by e-mail. Those selected will have until 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, to accept a spot in the program. The exercise and classroom portion of the 10-week program starts Monday at HFFA.
Candidates must have between 50 and 100 pounds to lose and be willing to pay some nominal fees, including Biggest Loser membership and discounted membership and participation fees at HFFA and Fleet Feet, to take part.
Participants should expect at least 10 hours of personalized training and instruction each week and they will also be encouraged to take part in extracurricular exercise and educational programs as well.
Commitment, according to Jetton, is the key. Applications provide a space for candidates to express their reasons for wanting to lose weight and the seriousness of their intentions.
The idea for the local event grew out of Emily Joy's aspirations to alter her health, body and lifestyle. A former elementary teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Joy, 29, is one of 20 contestants participating in the current season of The Biggest Loser on NBC. The season's first episode aired Tuesday and Joy was one of 17 competitors to avoid day-one elimination.
A former competitive weight lifter who now works at Earth Fare, Joy admitted in her application to the show that eating binges were the primary contributor to her 264-pound weight. She also expressed a desire to start her 30s in good health.
For details about The Biggest Loser-Huntersville, contact any of the sponsors, but do it soon.
