Josh Paul (far left, top row) and 16 “Big Losers” take on a challenging workout in Bettendorf. Those who want group workouts arrange to meet at various gyms throughout the challenge.

By Guest Blogger Josh Paul, Bettendorf police officer, competitive racquetball player, and BLC-QC founder

If you’re like me, by late-December my “loose fitting jeans” feel more like skinny jeans. Around the holidays it’s easier to watch Die Hard for the millionth time than to find the motivation to burn off those thousands of extra calories most of us are consuming.

Thankfully for me (and YOU), the BIGGEST LOSER CHALLENGE is back for the 9th year. Each year, it gets a little bigger (26, 42, 46, 72, 121, 161, 157, 199 in 2019), while I try to get our pant size a little smaller.  As a group in 2019, we lost 2,695 lbs.

So, why the “Biggest Loser Challenge”?  Because the #1 New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight. And only 8% of people successfully carry out this goal.

St. Ambrose grad, Josh Paul, poses with his former teacher, Alan Sivell. Alan gives Josh credit with shedding a few pounds back in 2015!

We fail because there’s no accountability, no incentive, and no one pushing you.

What began as my personal journey, now offers 4 All-Star coaches to keep you [literally] moving. No, I don’t have a degree in health science nor am I a fitness instructor. I’m just a cop who’s eaten a few hundred dozen too many donuts over the last 37 years –  but since its inception I’ve helped people like you – including LMQC blogger Alan Sivell – lose over 12,000 pounds.

If you’re still reading, that must mean you’re at least slightly interested. So here are the details…

THE PROGRAM:

The BLC is a 12-week program. Why 12 weeks? Because studies show it takes 66 days to form a new habit. Eat healthy. Exercise regularly. 66 days.

It begins January 1 and lasts through March.

Cost is $50, 80% of which goes into a humongous prize pool (your coaches don’t get paid – we volunteer our time to run the program to help YOU lose weight).

The other 20% goes toward a non-profit organization of our “Biggest Losers” choice.

Prizes are given every week to our top losers. (Contact me for more information!)

The BLC is a support system.  We want to see everyone succeed, and hopefully earn some cash back while doing it.

HOW IT WORKS:

We have 4 coaches – elementary school teacher extraordinaire, Melissa Barton, City of Bettendorf Wellness Committee head guru, Brooke Sweeney, Rock Valley Dietitian and LMQC blogger, Jeni Tackett, and me – just a guy who wants people to live a healthy lifestyle.

Sometime before January 1, you step on a scale and email a photo of your weight to the coach assigned to you. Each weekend, you do the same thing — take a snapshot of your weight & email. We don’t want an overall body shot of you, just the numbers on the digital scale. This continues for 12 weeks.

Because studies have shown that males tend to lose weight easier than females, we break the groups into guys & girls.

GROUP WORKOUTS:

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE LOCAL TO JOIN THIS CHALLENGE!!

But for the local Quad City BLC participants, we’ll be organizing a goal of 10 group workouts.

Last year we had group workouts at a variety of gyms, including Orange Theory Fitness, Bettendorf Life Fitness Center, Barre 563, One Tree Hot Yoga, Live Active 563, StudioZ, and Ego Eimi.

There is a minimal cost (if any) to attend each of these sessions – many workouts are donated, while others we pull a small amount of money from our prize pool. Again, this challenge is for everyone across the globe, but there is this additional incentive for local challengees.

THE RESULTS:

Each week, I will email the top “performers” for the week.  I’m not going to embarrass anyone by posting your weight, but if you lose enough to earn some cash back, I will include your % of weight lost.  We’ll keep a running total of how much money everyone has made, and at the end of the program, I’ll cut you a check.

LIMITED SPOTS:

Last year we were swamped with interest, which is AWESOME. However, with just 4 coaches and us volunteering time away from families, we decided we’re going to max this challenge out with the first 225 participants, so make sure you learn how to register now!