Fittest Losers pull out all the stops

Three months can seem like an eternity when you know you are going to spend that time in intense physical training.

But three months can also go by in a blink, as the time has for the Fittest Loser competitors, five Daily Herald readers who submitted themselves to the rigors of a trainer-led regimen of dieting and exercise. The competitor with the greatest weight loss by percentage will win an array of prizes.

In preparation for the final weigh-in, the Fittest Losers conspired with their personal trainers from Push Fitness, the official contest sponsor, to create a plan that would accelerate weight loss during the final week.

Here are the details of their last week of competition:

John Novak, a 46-year-old assistant principal from Hersey High School working with trainer Wade Merrill:#8220;After falling behind a little bit, Wade and I decided to really push the last two weeks. When possible I have been trying to work out twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. One of the workouts is similar to what I do with Wade at Push, and the other workout is strictly on the treadmill or elliptical trying to burn fat. We also decided to change the diet the last two weeks. For the second to last week, I was doing protein and green vegetables only. The last week, I changed to protein only (cutting out carbs completely) and cutting down on water intake. The concentration for these last two weeks is to burn fat, and hopefully it is working.#8221;

Kristen Kessinger, a 28-year-old public relations professional working with trainer Michelle Amsden:#8220;My goal with this contest was to earn every pound I lose and not gain any of it back, so I'm not going to do anything too drastic, like starve myself or sit in a sauna with a winter coat on to lose 5 pounds of sweat. But I will be increasing my workouts to twice a day. I ran a 5K race, and I plan to get a lot more sleep. I've been averaging five hours a night, and that is not nearly enough for me.#8221;

Bob Pearson, a 37-year-old painter and home inspector working with trainer Josh Steckler:

#8220;These three months have been challenging, rewarding, exhausting and everything in between. For the last week, I am trying every possible thing to help me with those last few pounds. The first thing I'm attempting is a new #8216;cleansing' treatment. I will be on a new diet that will make me feel like I should be a #8216;prisoner of war.' I also will be doing daily sauna treatments, along with a couple of body wraps. I also will be attending all of the Push Fitness boot camps for the week, and getting in extra cardio sessions. This is it, I'm going all in. I don't want to look back and say I didn't give it my all and try everything possible. The trainers and other contestants give me a hard time on weigh-in days, where I turn the heat up in the truck and wear layers of sweatshirts ... I'll do anything to lose a few extra ounces.#8221;

Dee Levine, a 59-year-old childbirth nurse working with trainer Steve Amsden:#8220;These last two weeks, only fruits and veggies; no protein. It's been hard to do, but I am following it. I'm wearing smaller clothes that I haven't worn in over 12 years. Hitting the 40-pound-off mark last week has brought it into focus. I have a good chance of not coming in last place. I don't want to be the #8216;old lady in last place.'#8221;

Jayne Nothnagel, a 52-year-old customer service representative for Waste Management, working with trainer Mark Trapp:#8220;My final week will consist of heavy-duty cardio workouts until every drop of sweat is removed from my body. My secret veggies that tend to work for me will be asparagus, cabbage, green beans and raw cauliflower. I will continue to closely monitor my sodium and even limit my reward and love of fruit this last week. Every moment of my day will be spent trying to burn a few extra calories #8212; I will park farther, try to stand at work, suck my stomach in, and pretty much drive myself and those around me crazy. This week I am into feeding others to make myself think I am getting thinner as they are not #8212; isn't that terrible? Just warmed up a big bowl of green-bean casserole as a side for my hubby #8212; it didn't phase me that I wasn't having it.#8221;