Benicia Weight Loss Challenge to start Thursday

By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight? Ready to shed some pounds and learn how to live a healthier lifestyle?

The Benicia Weight Loss Challenge may help you realize those goals. And they use the best incentive of all: your wallet.

Amy Cerna, a personal wellness coach and organizer of the program, knows what it’s like to struggle with weight. A few years ago she joined the weight loss challenge and dropped 60 pounds after three successive challenges — but she put 52 of it back on after she became pregnant.

The see-saw continued After the birth of her daughter, when Cerna, 31, lost 55 pounds.

“I would like to lose another 20 pounds, but as I get closer to that number, I feel like I would like to lose more,” she said.

But while Cerna is still above her ideal weight, she says her situation actually helps those she works with who want to slim down.

“(Fellow coach) Maya (Nelson) and I still aren’t at our ideal weight,” Cerna said, “so we aren’t standing up there at 120 pounds telling people they can do it. They watch us struggle as well, so I think that really helps.”

The first Benicia Weight Loss Challenge was held in April 2008. “The original ‘idea’ was started by a Herbalife representative in another state,” Cerna said. Now she and Nelson organize the local event.

A new challenge happens every 12 weeks, with both online and group challenges to accommodate different schedules. Participants put $35 in a pot that is divided between the three top “losers.”

Another incentive to lose weight is the “inches jar” — “If you gain a pound, you put a dollar into the jar,” Cerna said.

She said January challenges tend to have the largest number of people, for obvious reasons: It’s resolution time. “Last year in January was our biggest group. We had about 60 people.”

Over the course of the 12 weeks, participants regularly weigh in and meet on weight loss-related topics like exercise, food, protein, and fiber. And they share stories of struggle and progress. “We share how we did that week, what we ate, what worked or didn’t work,” Cerna said. The weekly meetings also give participants a chance to win prizes for the biggest loser of the week.

On average, Cerna said, a challenge participant should lose one to two pounds per week. “But it is a challenge, with money on the line,” she said. “People really get into it and pull pretty impressive numbers. The first week is when we see the amazing losses — 10 pounds and more — and then throughout the challenge the numbers definitely get smaller.”

A few participants have undergone amazing transformations over the course of several challenges, Cerna said.

“We have had a lot of success stories. “I have a woman that has lost a little over 100 pounds in a year, many others have lost 60-plus pounds over the course of several challenges,” she said.

“We have had a few people lose as much as 40 to 60 pounds in one challenge. We definitely don’t recommend that rapid pace of weight loss, but it has happened at a few challenges.”

The biggest tool in helping people to lose weight? “Encouragement!” Cerna said.

“Our participants have our cell numbers and know that we are always available. Beyond that, we know what has worked for us and what we have seen work for others.

“It’s pretty simple: diet and exercise is the answer, it’s what works, period. The things between is what we all struggle with.”

Cerna’s experience with the challenge and her desire to help people are what inspired her to become a coach. At first she was reluctant because she was still overweight — but “I think it helps me relate to people,” she said. “Us overweight people need a group like this where we all feel very comfortable. It is a place where we can feel like no one is judging us.”

“It’s the most amazing thing to watch a person walk in shy, uncomfortable and really dreading stepping on the scale transform in 12 weeks to a confident, proud individual and excited to step on the scale. It’s really neat to be a part of.”

For more information visit beniciaweightlosschallenge.com.

Shed Those Pounds
The next Benicia Weight Loss Challenge begins Jan. 12 at the Lighthouse Church, 1175 Church St. Email beniciaweightlosschallenge@yahoo.com for information.