This is the time of year when many folks work on losing those extra pounds they gained over the holidays.
There's a fitness program from the Myrtle Beach Recreation Department that's proven to be so popular, it's expanding in new directions.
Last year, the 300 participants in "Choose to Lose" lost more than 2,000 pounds of weight.
Now, the city recreation department is adding new programs aimed at folks who want to not just lose weight, but take their fitness training in different directions.
The experts say, one of the biggest challenges to losing weight is staying motivated. "Choose to Lose" includes a coaching component to give you that push to keep you going.
Recreation Supervisor Kevin Morris says through the program, "You'll be assigned to a team. You'll have a coach that you'll meet with on a weekly basis and there's just a lot of support to help you do something."
In the sixth year of "Choose to Lose," the city has added two offshoots; "Choose to Move," aimed at getting people to be more active and staying fit, and "Choose to Train," a boot-camp style regimen designed for the advancing athlete.
The goal of the programs is to build a fitness culture and create a healthier Grand Strand.
Kevin Morris says "Choose to Lose" members are achieving that mission. "They're adapting a fitness lifestyle and we're seeing them through the summer, the fall and the winter and they come back year after year just excited about their new life."
"Choose to Lose" is also a competition that allows participants to win team or individual prizes, including free memberships to city recreation classes and programs.
Last year, one participant lost 41 pounds in eleven weeks and has kept it off since then. He is now coaching other members. Morris says, it shows that "Choose to Lose" really works. "It is a great place to get in shape, lose a little weight and have fun doing it."
Registration for "Choose to Lose" is going on now. There is a fee to join, but also a discount if you're a Myrtle Beach resident.
The next competition starts January 8th. You can find more information here.
