‘Keep it off’ is message in weight-loss challenge

For many, dieting is a losing proposition. The see-saw of losing and gaining is more than a little frustrating. The key is not just to lose the weight; it’s learning how to keep it off for good. That’s where weight-loss expert Lisa Curtis comes in.

Curtis, a certified wellness and weight loss coach, is asking Maricopa residents to take the weight-loss challenge. The challenge takes more than 20 Maricopa residents on a 12-week journey from the brink of obesity to the promised land of lean and mean.

“We are looking to help people increase their energy levels, manage their weight and generally be healthier,” Curtis said. Throughout the contest, participants meet for an hour every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce office. At these meetings, Curtis discusses topics such as weight management, exercise and diet, all with the goal of helping the group facilitate a healthy transformation.

However, losing weight is not the only motivation behind the contest. Each participant contributes $35 to enter the challenge, and is then weighed once a week. During the weigh-in, a person must pay $1 for each pound gained. If no weight is gained, then no additional money is put forth.

At the end of the 12 weeks, the top three finishers, determined by percentage of weight lost, split the pot. “The first prize gets 50 percent of the pot, which we are hoping will be around $300,” Curtis said. “This isn’t a fad diet program. It is about helping people find the balance necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

For more information, contact Curtis at 520-316-6153.

Photo by Michael K. Rich