2012 Weight Loss Challenge to kick off Sunday at Tecumseh Center for the Arts

Tecumseh’s 2012 Weight Loss Challenge will gear up on Sunday, Jan. 29, with a “Kick Off the Weight” event featuring TV’s Biggest Loser celebrities Marci and Courtney Crozier. The mother-daughter team was featured on the 11th season of the program.

The event will take place at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, beginning at 1 p.m. Tickets are $5 for the program, which will include a light lunch featuring Subway sandwiches and an opportunity to meet the Croziers.

Marci Crozier is a motivational speaker and, along with her daughter, Courtney, was the first woman in the television show’s history to reach her goal weight while still at the Biggest Loser ranch. Courtney was turned down twice for the show after trying out. After the second turn-down, she devised her own weight loss plan, worked hard and succeeded in losing 122 pounds on her own. She tried out for the show again, and was finally accepted. Courtney lost more than 220 pounds, and currently weighs 212 pounds. The family is from Valparaiso, Indiana.

“They’re going to get us all fired up and energized at the kick-off,” said Shelley Lim, Cultural and Leisure Services Director.

Participants should dress comfortably, as there will be chances to take part in demonstrations of Jazzercize, Zumba and Kickboxing. Tecumseh Weight Challenge fitness partners from the community will be on hand to answer questions regarding special incentives and activities throughout the challenge. Kelli Roberts, owner of Jazzercise Tecumseh Fitness Center will share her own weight journey as well.

The Tecumseh Weight Loss Challenge will begin on Jan. 30 and run through April 23. Registration for the challenge is $20 and the deadline is Jan. 30. Mayor Richard Johnson and Tecumseh’s First Lady, Susan Whitney Johnson, are scheduled to take part in the challenge.

Tecumseh Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with fitness minded businesses throughout the community to help keep participants on track with special prices on 12 week fitness programs, weekly weigh-ins, last chance workouts, healthy tips and much more.

Information shared during the challenge is confidential and leaders will not share weights, only percentages to mark progress, according to Lim.

The challenge wraps up on Friday, April 27, with an awards ceremony and prizes. For more details on the community program, call the Parks and Rec Dept. at 423.5602. For tickets to Sunday’s kick-off event, call 423.6617.