Frank Tomassacci is the biggest loser. Late last year, the former trucker from Warrington Twp. cleaned up his diet and joined a gym. The hard work paid off. Tomassacci lost 54 pounds, and was awarded the biggest loser title and a cash prize in a new weight-loss program sweeping the midstate faster than participants can step on the scale.
The Central PA 5 Ton Weight Loss Challenge, based on the television show "The Biggest Loser," is a 12-week program designed to assist men and women in losing weight through weekly weigh-ins and meetings.
"Just having to face people keeps you motivated," Tomassacci said.
At a recent session at the Country & Town Baptist Church in Upper Allen Twp. about 100 participants crowded into a community room. Each took a turn on the scale for their official weigh-in.
Those who drop weight -- even a few ounces -- are met with cheers and clap of party noisemakers.
"I've always been one for celebrating the small little things. Any weight loss is a celebration; any step in the right direction," said Cyndi Taylor, a founder of the local challenge.
About a year ago Taylor, who works for a company with an all-natural product line, moved the sessions from her home into churches and community centers. She introduced them in the midstate after learning about the popularity of a similar program in Michigan. Now, more than 200 people are enrolled in the challenge in Middletown, Elizabethtown, Enola, Upper Allen Twp., and parts of York County with plans to expand into Carlisle and the East Shore.
Unlike other weight-loss programs with generous advertising budgets, celebrity backers and splashy ad campaigns, the weight loss challenge is largely underground. Participants learn about it through word of mouth or advertisements in community shoppers. Fees are relatively inexpensive. A $29 entrance fee goes toward a pot to award cash prizes to the three people who lose the biggest percentage of weight at the end of the session. Those who gain weight contribute $1 per pound to the pot while absences cost $5.
Mike Weaver of York, who has participated in the program and now helps as a personal wellness coach, said the money is only an incentive. "Those who come for the money don't do well," he said.
Participants' reasons for enrolling vary from a desire to look and feel better to wanting to live longer or see their children grow up, Weaver said.
Newcomer Bekka Sterling of East Pennsboro Twp. said she has tried several weight loss plans but was attracted to this one for the accountability.
"They get those clapper things going. Everyone in line would notice they didn't clap for you," she said. Since the program was first offered last year to the public, participants have lost a total of 2 tons with a goal of shedding 5 tons by the end of this year, Taylor said. Those who enroll are free to follow any weight loss plan they prefer, such as Weight Watchers. The challenge's weekly sessions on topics such as nutrition and smart supermarket shopping are designed to enhance those programs, Taylor said.
"It is to educate people truly on what they don't understand about the foods they are eating," Taylor said.
Anne Kozak of Mechanicsburg lost 20 pounds in the last session and said she learned to avoid the bad fats. "They give you a lot of nutrition information and a lot of support. It's knowing you have to be accountable," she said.