First Post Ever!

[4Betty]

I just recently finished a 6 month weight loss challenge that was based on the NBC show "The Biggest Loser". Myself and 15 other contestants were weighed in weekly, required to attend several session each week with our trainer, and met every Saturday for the the first three months for our weekly challenge. We did everything from canoeing to rope courses to suicide sprints to swimming. Needless to say, it still amazes me that we never collapsed. And, just like the show, we were left to pursue our weight loss on our own for the second 12 weeks.

The finale was last week. There was a breath of relief from all my teammates and a certain sadness in the air. We couldn't believe 6 months had flown by so quickly and we were surprised to find how close we had become in the process. It was a remarkable experience in which we had lost 742 lbs between the 16 of us. And scary enough, we all still have more weight to shed. Which brings me to my reason for joining this forum...

One of my teammates had approached me about starting up a fitness club that would hold all of its members accountable for working out, eating right, and getting down to their goal weight. So I took the idea, ran with it, and we have our first official meeting in two weeks and already have 25 interested members. What I would love to hear back from all of you folks is what would you want from a fitness club? Friendships? Support systems? Accountability? Guest Speakers? What? I want this club to be something people share with everyone they know. I want this club to change lives and grow over the years. We're not doing it to make money, we are doing this to give others the kind of weight loss 'family' we found in the competition.

Also, let me say this; I don't want this group to be like others. I want it to be original and offer more than gimmick pills and crash diets. I want to bring in guest speakers about nutrition and healthy chefs to prepare meals. I want this to be so fantastic that no one would dream of missing the monthly meeting. So let's hear it..... What should we offer?

Oh..and just in case anyone is wondering. I still have 60 lbs to lose... so the battle continues on for me as well.

 

[Mike..]

The type of gym you are talking about should have about 3 two hour sessions of teaching nutrition, working out terminology sets, reps, cardio, etc, and how to workout on the machines correctly.

I hate it when gym employee spend about 10 minutes with a new victim and then turns them loose. It gurantees they will fail.

 

[4Betty]

Gyms

Thanks Mike. I feel the same way about most gyms so we are working on getting some personal trainers to our meetings to go over a lot of the gym terminology and hopefully obtain some free sessions for our members to go over the use of machines on the floor. As for nutrition, I have already lined up two guest nutritionist to come talk to the group. Thanks for your input.

 

[froubaby]

I agree with Mike regarding the sessions for speakers to come in and talk about nutrition, the machines, and explaining terms. Think about it, if you don't truly understand something how interested can you really be then?

Another key point is motivation. Have some fun cardio activities.. not just the typical run on the eliptical for 30 minutes and off you go. Find out what your group likes. If 20 of them like dancing, create a dancing cardio session.

Maybe also see about connecting with your local GNC store to see about discounts for your group on vitamins and supplements.

I hope that helps.