AFTER a winter of being indoors, the New York Post staff is getting ready to kick some butt – and look good doing it.
Physically, however, we’re not really in shape for it.
So with the official start of swimsuit season only two months away, we’ve launched The Post’s Get Fit By Memorial Day Challenge.
Fifteen Post staffers – in all shapes, sizes and jobs – will embark on an eight-week diet and exercise program, using easy-access Weight Watchers Online (weightwatchers.com) and New York Sports Club (nysc.com) to help our mission.
“Spring gives you a sense of rebirth,” says NYSC trainer Amie Hoff. “There’s a natural tendency to gain energy, get fit and get out there.”
With weekly updates in the paper, staff blogs for a personal touch (blogs.nypost.com) and online videos of workouts and weigh-ins, readers can follow our progress for inspiration – and cheer us on.
One of us just wants to be superfit, but the rest of us want to lose at least five pounds – whether it’s due to pregnancy weight, an all-work/no-exercise regimen or just those pesky Winter Five.
After the first weigh-in, we’re obsessed. We’ve started counting points, chalking up miles on the treadmill and sharing recipes.
It’s not all diet Jell-O and cottage cheese.
“Weight Watchers emphasizes eating nutritious foods, being mindful of what you eat and having a balanced and healthy diet,” says Theresa DiMasi, editor-in-chief of WeightWatchers.com. “You want to eat well for many reasons. It’s not just thinking about tomorrow and those 20 pounds, but to have a healthier lifestyle and live longer.”
Stay tuned for our personal assessments and workout guides from NYSC trainers.
marymhuhn@nypost.com
Meet the heavyweights
GYM HATER
RAAKHEE, 26, reporter
Height: 5-foot-6
Weight: 139.8 pounds
BMI: 22.6
Motivation: “I’ve lost 20 pounds in the last year going to Weight Watchers at work, and am aiming for the last six.”
Goals: To wear hot pants by summer. “I’d like to learn how to exercise because I hate doing it.”
THE HULK
ERIC, 46, editorial designer
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 228.4 pounds
BMI: 27.8
Motivation: “Newly single, I’m tired of having a bit o’ belly and have less energy than I’d like. I used to run on the treadmill, but then got lazy and lethargic.”
Goals: To drop 15 pounds, bulk up and do some treadmill maintenance along the way. “But I’ve always had nice pecs, so I want to bring them back into shape.”
THE PHOTO SLUG
AMANDA, 28, features photo editor
Height: 5-foot-7{
Weight: 156.8 pounds
BMI*: 24.8
Motivation: “Since starting to work as features photo editor at The Post (and meeting my boyfriend), I have not figured out how to incorporate working out into my schedule. I truly haven’t done any working out in three years.”
Goals: To make working out a priority, lose 15 pounds and get my endurance back up again.
DEN MOTHER
ANNIE, 59, administrative editor
Height: 5-foot-6{
Weight: 237.8 pounds
BMI: 37.8
Motivation: “I am a cancer survivor and am currently cancer-free. Weight control and exercise will help keep it that way and will improve my mental and physical health.”
Goals: To look better, keep Type 2 diabetes in control and have more energy.
CURVY QUEEN
EVELYN, 36, associate photo editor
Height: 5-foot-4
Weight: 189 pounds
BMI: 32.4
Motivation: “Late-night dinners and many a beer with my new boyfriend have gone straight to my tummy.”
Goals: To get toned and back to 165, as well as eat healthier home-cooked meals.
40×40 GUY
ISAAC, 40, Sunday features editor
Height: 5-foot-10
Starting weight: 235 pounds
BMI: 33.7
Motivation: “I attempted to lose 40 pounds by my 40th birthday – last week. I lost 15 and want to start on the next 10.”
Goals: To focus on a balanced diet and try to limit cravings.
COOKIE MONSTER
JESSICA, 26, photo desk assistant
Height: 5-foot-4
Weight: 126.8 pounds
BMI: 21.8
Motivation: “Swimsuit season!”
Goals: To stop bingeing on sweets after midnight, to start exercising again and lose 5 pounds “so my old clothes fit.”
NEW MOM
LISA, 31, reporter
Height: 5-foot-1
Weight: 122 pounds
BMI: 23.0
Motivation: “I want to lose 5 pounds, returning to my pre-baby weight.”
Goals: To work out more intensely. “I need a hard, butt-kicking routine that I can do myself, at any gym, anytime.”
DESK JOCKEY
MACKENZIE, 30, deputy features editor
Height: 5-foot-2
Weight: 118 pounds
BMI: 21.6
Motivation: “I haven’t figured out how to fit working out into my new job schedule. When I do get to the gym, I’m usually too tired to do much. This position is more stressful than my old one, so I tend to eat more when I get anxious – something I’ve never really done before.”
Goals: To lose 5 pounds, learn how to choose healthier foods and start a solid workout routine.
HARD-CORE
MARY, 46, features reporter
Height: 5-foot-4
Weight: 131 pounds
BMI: 22.5
Motivation: “I’d like to shed a few pounds off each thigh and get in better shape as I move into my late 40s.”
Goals: To lose 5 to 8 pounds, try aerobic classes and eat dinners healthier than popcorn.
MAXED-OUT
MICHELLE, 35, metro editor
Height: 5-foot-2
Weight: 120 pounds
BMI: 21.9
Motivation: “I want my butt to look sexy in jeans again!”
Goals: To lose 15 pounds, exercise more and wean herself off a diet of takeout food. “I work 12 to 13 hours a day, a majority of that time I spend planted on my tush.”
30-POUND LOSER
NIKKI, 29, assistant art director
Height: 5-foot-5
Weight: 155.8 pounds
BMI: 25.9
Motivation: “I weighed 190 a little over a year ago, and set a goal to lose 40 to 50 pounds by the time I turn 30, which is April 27. I’m about 10 shy of hitting my goal!”
Goals: To drop a jeans size, to firm and tighten up my problem areas. “Ladies, holla if you’re like me and carry the weight in the middle!”
THE GUN SHOW
BETH, 25, editorial designer
Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 144 pounds
BMI: 21.9
Motivation: “I want to be and look stronger. I love being able to eat what I like and drink my Guinness without guilt.”
Goals: Toning – more Serena Williams than Twiggy.
CUPCAKE JUNKIE
TIFFANY, 29, picture researcher
Height: 5-foot-1{
Weight: 113 pounds
BMI: 21
Motivation: “I want to look hot in a dress again and not worry about my figure. I want to jump-start a healthy lifestyle. I’m closing in on 30, so now is the time.”
Goals: To run up 10 flights of stairs and not have it bother me. “I need to tone down my beer belly and keep my arms from getting that old-age saggy look.”
SINGLE DAD
TOM, 51, reporter
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 222 pounds
BMI: 31.9
Motivation: “With a history of cardiovascular disease in my family, my desire to lose weight is more than just cosmetic. And with a 12-year-old son to keep up with, I’d like to regain some of the endurance and strength I enjoyed when I was younger.”
Goal: To get under 200 pounds by Memorial Day., 30 pounds in the long run.
* Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. Normal weight = 18.5 – 24.9 BMI
