More than 100 contestants turned out Jan. 12 for the Thomson Family Y’s first Team Lean weigh in.
This is the competition’s fifth year in Thomson.
The 12-week contest encourages community members to lose weight through competition.
Entrants become part of a team – either personal or corporate – and compete against other teams for the most percentage of weight lost.
Winners receive a cash prize that is split among team members.
Shaw Industries makes up the larger of the two Thomson teams, with 82 members on the corporate team. Seventeen contestants make up the second team, which will compete in the individual category. The two teams will compete against other Greater Augusta Family Y teams in corporate and individual categories.
There are no guidelines that determine how a team should lose weight, although the Y does make the gym available to non-Y members for a limited number of visits during the competition. The only requirement is that contestants show up for weekly weigh-ins.
“You do what you feel you need to do to lose weight,” said Michelle Miller, Team Lean coordinator for the Thomson Family Y.
Most contestants find success through cardio exercise like walking or running, which is what Miller recommends. Strength training will help tone muscles or bulk up, but will not be as helpful in burning fat.
And it helps to make exercise fun.
“I would say walk outside. There’s better scenery,” she said. “Try to do something that you enjoy.”
The Y offers a similar competition for children, called Lets Play 60. During the same 12-week period, children ages 5 to 17 can earn prizes each week for meeting fitness goals, such as playing for 30 minutes a day instead of watching television.
The program is free and is not limited to children of participants. Thirty children are participating this year. Although enrollment is closed, Miller said the program will be held every year in conjunction with Team Lean and hopes to get more children involved in the future.
“It’s a really good program for kids,” Miller said.
