A health and fitness programme, specifically targeting those in the community who needed to lose weight for their health and wellbeing, is being launched by Lakes Leisure - and the organisers are calling for applications for two more residents to take part in the free eight-week programme.
Dr Kathryn Smith, of the Queenstown Medical Centre, said six people had already been accepted for the programme, designed for those with at least 20kg of extra weight to lose.
The programme, which begins on October 4, aims to get people moving and paying attention to their nutrition with a view to them meeting and maintaining their long-term health and fitness goals.
Along with nutritional advice and support, participants would receive weekly personal training sessions to help them set realistic goals and stay on track during the challenge.
They would also be given unlimited access to Lakes Leisure's group fitness classes, gym and pool for three months.
Alpine Health and Fitness manager Richie Heap said it was important all participants received an extra month's free membership after the eight-week challenge, to ensure they did not lose their momentum and carried on with their workouts.
"Obviously, the participants are not going to hit their ideal weight in just eight weeks and will need to stick with their new lifestyle.
"In the end, it's going to be up to the individual as to how they maintain their weight-loss and fitness goals after the challenge ends."
One of the participants was Wendy Den Hertog, of the Queenstown Medical Centre, who had volunteered to become the "programme champion".
She said she was looking forward to her "fellow big bods" joining her on the health and fitness crusade.
"It was an opportunity I couldn't refuse and, like many people, I just needed something to kick-start my motivation and get going."
Ms Den Hertog's free Alpine Health and Fitness membership was activated last month and already she had been making the most of the opportunity.
"I surprised myself by even enjoying the group fitness classes like Pump, which was a big step forward for someone who had never set foot in a gym and was certainly very wary of lycra."
Mr Heap said the gym wanted to recruit two more people to join Ms Den Hertog's mission, with the only condition being applicants were "at least 20kg overweight".
"We are looking for two more people that not only need this opportunity but are going to make the most of it.
"There will be rules around how many sessions you must attend.
"Ultimately, how well they do will come down to individual motivation, but we will do everything we can to help them along the way.
"And, of course, there will be a prize for the biggest loser ... but the ultimate prize is the results these people will get," Mr Heap said.
• Anyone interested in registering to be considered for the last two places in the programme should call Lakes Leisure on (03) 450-9005 or email rachelle@lakesleisure.co.nz before September 27.
