Teamwork helps women reach their goal to lose big
YWCA of Niagara hosts competition for ‘Biggest Loser’
LOCKPORT — Rare is the day on which losing as a team feels so rewarding.
But if you’re on one of the three teams trying to lose weight this summer in the YWCA of Niagara’s “Biggest Loser” program, losing definitely is a wonderful feeling.
Eighteen to 20 women are participating in the nearly three-month-long program, which is mostly based on the hit reality television show.
There are a couple of not-so-subtle differences between the “Y” version of “Biggest Loser,” which runs through Aug. 21, and the show that airs on NBC.
For one, there isn’t an elimination process at the YWCA, because the purpose of the program is to help participants learn how to become fit and healthy. For another, there is not a $250,000 cash reward on the line.
There are team and individual prize packages that will be awarded at the end of the program, but the ultimate reward for all participants is the satisfaction gained from losing weight, that special feeling someone gets from evidence of a shrinking waist line — whether it’s from a look in the mirror or the realization that snug clothes have suddenly become looser.
“I wanted to lose weight,” said 52- year-old Maria Amlani of Lockport, who shed 2.25 pounds during the first two weeks of the program. “I’ve been trying [to lose weight] for a long time [two years]. I thought I’d give [the program] a shot. It’s going good.
“It’s hard. It takes a lot, but I’m trying to reach the goal of at least losing 10 pounds.”
Each of the squads is captained by a trainer, and they run the twice-a-week workouts and meetings. The team captains handle nutrition and fitness training questions and also provide moral support. Team members also keep contact with one another through e-mail. Besides the classes, there is a once-a-week weigh-in, and each participant gets her measurements taken once a month.
While the team rosters created for members of the YWCA of Niagara are set, other fitness center members are welcome to attend the intense one-hour workouts that include strength training and a variety of cardiovascular exercises.
“It’s motivational, it’s teamwork, and it’s better because we can see if they’re doing their [strength training and exercise] forms correctly,” YWCA Director Liz Koepsell said. “The biggest reason [we] hold it is so that they can learn, so they can live a healthy lifestyle.”
Amlani is on a five-person team captained by Koepsell. So far, the team — dubbed “The Fab Five” — is the clubhouse leader in the friendly competition, having lost a combined total of 21.5 pounds.
Team One, which trains and meets at 6 a. m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, has dropped 14.25 pounds.
Team Three meets an hour after the “Fab Five” at 6:30 p. m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Team Three has gained a half pound, but 31-year-old Brooke LaPort of Lockport isn’t the reason for the minor setback. The Royalton-Hartland teacher has dropped 4.5 pounds.
She has a goal of shedding 25 pounds that she gained when her metabolism slowed as a side effect of thyroid surgery, which she underwent last October. The former scholastic volleyball and basketball player’s quest to regain her fitness turned serious two months ago when she joined the YWCA’s Fitness and Wellness Center.
“I’m enjoying [the program],” said LaPort, who exercised on her own for an hour before participating in the rigorous team workout. “I’m sore, but it feels good.”
And that’s the whole point of the program, because fighting the battle of the bulge isn’t an easy challenge.
Amlani, along with fellow teammate Leslie Villamar, 16, both tried to get in shape by themselves. They discovered the task is less daunting when there’s a support group that has their backs.
“I thought it’d be a fun experience,” said Villamar, who has lost 4 pounds, 26 away from her ultimate goal. “You get to meet new people, get to have fun with them and you get to lose weight while you’re at it.”
So how does the Y’s program compare with the reality show?
“It’s almost like the real thing,” Villamar said. “I [know] the pain the people go through because I’ve gone through it in class.”
“[The show] is a big inspiration for everybody, because you see the difference — before and after,” Amlani said. “We have a great team leader working hard to help us reach our goal.”
