Meet the Challengers and their Gold's Gym Personal Trainers

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For 12 weeks, 6 Express readers are competing against one another to lose their unwanted weight. One of them will walk away with $5,000 and a one-year membership to Gold's Gym. Over the weeks, challengers will rack up points for weight lost and challenges won. Very simply, the challenger with the most points at the end of the 12 weeks wins. Of course there is a big challenge worth lots of points scheduled for the 12th week, and being in great shape will help our challengers win more points. But first, let's meet our teams!

Anthony is a Senior Manager and IT Consultant at Deloitte. He’s also engaged to be married and is motivated to get in shape for his fiancée. He doesn't want her to be worried about his health, nor to cheat her out of time with him. Anthony is also engaged in volunteerism and giving back to his community. His biggest barrier to getting fit has been making the time in his busy schedule. For the Gold's Gym Get Fit Challenge, Anthony will be working at Gold's Gym in Fairfax Station with Cameron, who has a real passion for fitness and is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Working with Anthony is something Cameron's been looking forward to. Anthony has already set some goals, and Cameron has recommended some GGX (Gold's Gym Group Exercise) classes for Anthony. The numerous GGX classes should fit into Anthony's schedule without any problem. Anthony's starting weight: 270.8

Greg is an Environmental Coordinator at MOM's Organic Markets, a job he selected for the opportunity it provides to help others as part of his career. He has made a lot of good moves for himself, but he's getting concerned. He lost his mother at a young age and he doesn't want his three kids to experience a similar tragedy. He is a vegetarian, he managed to quit smoking ten years ago and gave up soda recently, and now he's moving on to the battle of the bulge. He'll be working with Michael at Gold's Gym in Rockville Town Square. Michael has been a Personal Trainer for 16 years, and is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and by the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association. He enjoys translating health and fitness into a fun, natural lifestyle. Greg knows he needs to focus to reach his fitness goals. So Michael will work closely with Greg to determine his workout schedule and nutrition plan to help keep Greg on track during the Get Fit Challenge. Greg's starting weight: 242.0

Jamie is on the police force at George Washington University. She's proud to have a sharpshooter rating on the shooting range, but feels she needs to be in top shape to do her job to the best of her ability. She knows her family has a history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease, and Jamie wants to avoid those problems. Plus, she wants to be as healthy as possible since she and her partner are hoping to have a baby within the next couple of years. Jamie is working out with Erin in the Merrifield Gold's Gym. Erin, an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer, is helping Jamie with short-term goals specifically for the Gold's Gym Get Fit Challenge. In addition, they will work to build strength and cardio capacity so that when Erin is faced with a crisis situation on the job, she will feel better prepared. Jamie's starting weight: 201.2

Kim just gave birth to a son, whom she calls her "little slice of heaven." However, she was not as happy when she was diagnosed with diabetes. Kim wants to get healthy for herself, her husband and her son, but needs to find ways to exercise that keep her interest. We've paired her up with Tasha, who has a background as a dancer, and just loves transforming her clients. Based on her goals, Kim is looking for a transformation. Tasha is recommending that Kim pay a lot of attention to her posture to activate all the areas she wants to work out. And Kim is going to have to lay off one of her favorite vices: she likes a lot of dipping sauces, an easy way to add empty calories to whatever you're eating. They'll be working out at Gold's Gym on Capitol Hill. Kim's starting weight: 196.2

Larry is a Customer Service Coordinator, and when you meet him it's obvious why he works with people. He's a big guy with a big heart, and he is always concerned with the well being of others. Larry is extremely motivated, but has found that his motivation to exercise can dwindle over time. Still, he recognizes the Gold's Gym Get Fit Challenge as his chance to do something for himself. Chris at the Midtown Gold's Gym will be working to keep Larry motivated throughout these 12 weeks and forever! Chris has been with Gold's for four years, is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, has a BS in Exercise Science from George Washington University and is now working on her Masters of Exercise Science. She reports that in the first two days of the challenge Larry has already lifted once, completed one cardio session on his own, and even completed intervals at 4:45 a.m. on his own! Look out, challengers! Larry's starting weight: 357.2

Meaghan has started exercise programs in the past, but without immediate results, she gets disappointed and gives up. Now, she has new motivation — she just got engaged to be married next May. She wants to wear her mother's wedding dress, but it doesn't fit, yet. She has said that this time, "I will do what it takes to lose the weight." Helping her along the way at Gold's Gym in Ballston is Jenny, who has been a personal trainer for four years, certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and a former Division 1 swimmer. They have plans to have fun, experience new exercises, be consistent, and more importantly, to begin to make health a priority. Jenny reports that Meaghan is very motivated, positive and ready to go. The two of them are going to get her ready to walk down that aisle. Meaghan's starting weight: 190.0

Follow the challengers' progress every Tuesday in Fit as they meet with their Gold's Gym Personal Trainers to improve their physical fitness. Membership information at: www.goldsgym.com