Promote health, not competition

Several red flags went up after reading yesterday's first week update on your "Fittest Loser" contest. I am very concerned about the safety of this competition and the message it is sending to readers. My understanding is that your contestants are sedentary people who wish to lose weight and become more physically fit.

My concern is that the participants have gone from physically doing nothing to some serious workouts. One of the contestants almost fainted during her workout. Another is on a 1300 calorie/day diet. That's barely enough to meet basic metabolic needs, much less rebuild muscle tissue damaged by working out. Is there medical supervision for these people?

I am concerned that the lure of a quick fix combined with a prize incentive is driving these folks to push themselves farther than they should in a short amount of time. The promotion and bragging rights Push Fitness trainers will receive is a dangerous incentive as well.

I hope the contest promotes a healthy lifestyle, not a three-month boot camp mentality. That is not a realistic fitness routine for everyday life.

Julie Kulak

Naperville