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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. Heather Miller, the Thomas H. Slater Center's executive director, will strip down to a sports bra and biker shorts for a photo Monday to encourage others who partake in a White Plains weight loss competition.
"I'm freeing myself of my weight and wearing my little sports bra and bikers shorts with my gut hanging out as I take my before picture. I'm hoping that other people will see that and do a before and after picture. It will be fun," said Miller, 56. "I've never discussed my weight with anybody before, but when I get my numbers. I'm going to share."
Miller is bringing NBC's "The Biggest Loser" to White Plains in a "Biggest Loser Community Challenge" spin-off. The Slater Center is hosting a kick-off Monday, beginning with dance and fitness classes at 6 p.m. and a 7 p.m. registration. Beginning Thursday, participants will have a weekly weigh-in and access to several healthy cooking, eating and exercise seminars.
Enrolling in the three-month contest costs $20. Whoever has lost the most weight at the final weigh-in May 31 will take home 50 percent of the pot. The runner-up will take home a quarter, with the remainder funding the Biggest Loser Community Challenge.
Miller said she was inspired to host the weight loss competition because undertaking exercise and dietary plans on her own wasn't as effective as she would have liked.
"Ive been trying to lose weight forever doing it by myself it doesnt work. So why not just get a group of people together and do it this way?" she said.
While Miller focuses on losing weight to alleviate pressure on her knees, she hopes others will learn to cultivate healthy habits that prevent heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other complications as they age.
Slater Center will host weekly weigh-ins in addition to checkups at ShopRite. New York Presbyterian Hospital, White Plains Hospital, Blythedale Hospital, and Bethel Baptist Church's Passages to Excellence will offer healthy eating, cooking and eating courses to participants. The first 20 to register for the Biggest Loser will get gym passes to the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester.
Miller said the Biggest Loser is still looking for sponsors to help finance T-shirts, gifts for winners, gym passes or shopping trips for those who need smaller clothes.
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