Fall Fitness 5K just a start for Biggest Loser Carol Stream contestants

If this were television, the scene on Saturday would include falling confetti and now-healthy people dramatically breaking through life-size pictures of their former, heavier selves. There would be just a few contestants left hoping they've lost enough weight to win a big cash prize.

But this isn't reality television. It's just reality - 22 real people living real lives and still putting in real gym time, learning to buy healthy foods in real grocery stores and to prepare good meals in their own real kitchens, every one of them spending the summer making a real difference in their minds and bodies.

Since joining the Biggest Loser Carol Stream program, these 22 people have taken advantage of the Carol Stream Park District's fitness center, instructors and classes, the running training offered by Dick Pond Athletics, the health care advice from Olympic Chiropractic and the nutritional guidance from Whole Foods.

This is the first time the park district offered the program, modeled after its popular television namesake (minus the weekly eliminations). Judging from its success, it won't be the last time, said Meghan Jourden, the park district recreation supervisor who has overseen the program.

"The Biggest Loser Carol Stream was developed to focus on individuals that needed a place to start or help getting back on the fit track," she said. "The contestants are still pushing hard. It is truly amazing to witness the changes - physically, cognitively and emotionally - the contestants have gone through."

Like their television counterparts, the Biggest Loser Carol Stream contestants have a final challenge before their last weigh-in: They'll participate Saturday, Sept. 11, in the Fall Fitness 5K, stepping off at 8 a.m. in Armstrong Park.

Organizers hope the 5K, open to everyone, encourages others to begin taking steps to improve their health and fitness. And they hope it proves to the Biggest Loser Carol Stream contestants that they've come a lot farther than 3.1 miles in the last 12 weeks.

After the chip-timed race, runners and spectators can explore a health expo that will include the final weigh-in for the Biggest Loser contestants. The participant who has lost the greatest percentage of body fat during the program will win two tickets on Southwest Airlines.

Carol Stream contestants, though, say that while the race is the final official element of their Biggest Loser program it's only the beginning of new lives as healthier, more energetic, happier versions of their former selves.

As they prepare for the race, three contestants took time to tell us a bit about their experience and why they run, on Saturday and beyond. Pat LaVoie of Carol Stream signed up in search of a support system. Tracy and Ricardo Gonzalez of Carol Stream enrolled in hopes of finding the energy to keep up with their 3-year-old daughter.