If your New Year's resolution is to lose weight and commit to a healthier lifestyle, The Hospice of St Francis' Biggest Loser challenge could be for you.
The Hospice, in conjunction with Sportspace Hemel Hempstead, is looking for 20 participants to take on its life-changing annual weight loss challenge, now in its sixth year.
Starting in February 2017, the sponsored competition will see participants lose pounds, eat more healthily and raise pounds to help the Hospice edge closer to the over £5 million it needs every year to provide care and support when it matters most to families facing life-limiting illness across Herts and Bucks.
Bookkeeper, Tammy Brock, 41, from Grovehill, Hemel Hempstead, took on the challenge two years ago, shedding an incredible 24 pounds and reducing her body fat by 18%.
Even more impressively though, Tammy has gone on to more than double that amount thanks to everything the challenge taught her.
She said: “The Biggest Loser totally changed my life! I was feeling really down about my weight before I took on the challenge but the support and encouragement from the Hospice and Sportspace team was amazing.
“I couldn’t believe how much weight I was able to lose during the challenge and since then I’ve lost another 25 pounds thanks to my ongoing gym routine and food plan.
"In 2014 I lost my uncle to cancer in a hospice, the care he received there really inspired me to support my own local Hospice and raise over £1,200 while the pounds dropped off me!"
All participants will enjoy free, 12-week Sportspace membership with unlimited gym, swim and exercise classes, personal training sessions with the Sportspace team and a personalised nutrition plan.
Caroline Lee, Challenge Events Organiser at the Hospice, said, "The key to losing weight and keeping it off are the weekly weigh-ins, where participants get together to share their experiences and motivate each other to smash their £500 fundraising targets.
"Since Biggest Loser began in 2012, our amazing participants have lost a total of 206 stone - the equivalent of 12 Arnold Schwarzeneggers - and raised over £127,000 for the Hospice!
"It really is the perfect challenge for anyone looking to lose weight and keep it off in 2017."
James Sexton, Gym Manager at Sportspace, Hemel Hempstead, added, “We love getting involved with the Hospice’s Biggest Loser every year.
"Our team is here throughout the 12 weeks to guide the group and recommend achievable exercise and nutrition plans. It's so rewarding to watch people transform before your eyes as they gradually achieve their goals.”
For more information visit www.stfrancis.org.uk/biggestloser or call Caroline on 01442 869555. The deadline for entries to Biggest Loser 2017 is 27 January 2016.