Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA — It’s time for everyone to think of a New Year’s resolution, and losing some weight and getting healthy is always at the top of the list.

The Valdosta-Lowndes County YMCA and South Georgia Medical Center combined forces again this year to organize a 10-week program called Team Lean and encourage the community to lose weight through a little friendly competition.

Anyone 13 years of age and older can participate.

It does not matter whether they are a member of the YMCA or not.

People can register in teams of four or five, or as individuals. There is a $50 per person registration fee.

Team Lean will kick off on Jan. 9 and continue to March 18. Prizes will be awarded at the end.

“The more people enter the contest, the more goes back to the prizes,” said Shelly Toth, fitness director at the YMCA.

Those who are not YMCA members who sign up for Team Lean can receive a 10-day pass for the YMCA.

Every Thursday, participants will go to the YMCA to weigh themselves. The individual or team that loses the most weight wins the competition.

Throughout the competition, dietitians will be available to answer any questions, Toth explained. Lectures on diabetes and exercise will take place as well.



Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness came up with its own way to help folks feel better about themselves in the New Year.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, people who get memberships at Anytime Fitness will receive special discounts and their names will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift card from Bleu Cafe, a $50 gift card for Bleu Pub, three SPA gift certificates, a trip to Panama City and a trip to St. Petersburg in Florida, and a $50 gift card for Wooden Nickel.

Erica Thrift, owner, said the discount offer they have for Monday through Wednesday is called “This year I can …”

“Instead of a New Year’s resolution, make your health your New Year solution,” she said.

On Wednesday, at 7 p.m., all those who signed up must be present at Anytime Fitness to discover if their name is drawn and to receive their prize.

Thrift noted that, at the beginning of each year, there is a huge rush of people who come determined to lose weight. With time, however, many give up. The goal of Anytime Fitness is to keep people motivated and help them reach their goals, explained Thrift.

“We try to keep you excited, we try to keep people from falling off the wagon,” she said. “And we tend to succeed.”

Those who have never been to Anytime Fitness before can receive a free training session, workout schedule, workout routine, nutrition tracker, diet plan, and information on healthier food choices.



Shape Designers

Another alternative for losing weight is a weight loss clinic.

Shape Designers is a clinic that started operating in September.

According to owner Mary Holt, a registered nurse and manager, they “have been very pleased with the progress that everyone has made since that time.”

“We have had several people lose over 70 pounds since they have started (about 2 1/2 months), and needless to say, they are ecstatic about their progress,” she added.

The program is new to the area, Holt noted, as the patients are on a low calorie diet along with receiving injections suppressing the appetite. This way, people can lose up to a pound per day.

“Several patients have asked for this for Christmas and say it’s the best present they could possibly ask for,” Holt said.

To make it easier for people to have their resolutions come true with the New Year, Shape Designers offers a huge discount running through Jan. 29. Patients can save up to $200 off the regular fees.



To learn more, call the YMCA at (229) 244-4646, Anytime Fitness at (229) 247-9925, or Shape Designers at (229) 247-2585.