By By MICHELE GERLACH-Publisher
A group of local residents participating in Janet Peterman's Shape -Up program at the YMCA have lost 42 pounds in two weeks.
Peterman launched the Community Shape-Up program after working with a group who called themselves the Brewton Bridge Bunch to reach their weight-loss and toning goals.
Shape-Up is a program in which anyone can come by the YMCA on Monday afternoons between 4:30 and 5:15 to weigh in. The cost? Participants have to keep food journals. Those who show up to weigh in without a journal are "fined" $1; failure to weigh in results in a $2 "fine."
Peterman announced the program in her weekly fitness column in The Brewton Standard. By the second week, there were 18 participants; and this week, 30 people stepped on the scales.
The participants' goals vary from being held accountable for maintaining their current weights to losing more than 100 pounds.
A number of participants have a friend or co-worker as a partner, she said.
Peterman stresses that each individual's journey is different, but accountability helps everyone.
While stepping on the scales can be intimidating for some, Peterman said nothing surprises her.
For more information, contact Peterman at the YMCA, 867-9622.
Editor's note: The Standard will publish Shape-Up results on Wednesdays; Peterman's column on fitness tips appears on Sundays.