The Villages - September 2016 - 39

Good health wasn't the only benefit Coble gained. Teamwork is a goal for everyone at MVP, including its members, which is why participants are paired in the challenge. Coble and a few of the participants quickly formed the "Magnificent 7," a high-achieving group that was in it to win it. Her strongest ally was Sally O'Hara, of the Village of Pinellas. "Halfway through the challenge, Karla told me 'We can win this,'" O'Hara said. The two stayed in constant contact. They'd wake up at dawn to workout together, and they'd often send each other notes of encouragement and their favorite healthy recipes. "It's always more fun to have someone going down the same path and who understands the struggles along the way - and there were a lot, not only dietary, but with sore muscles, too," O'Hara said. Although the challenge lived up to its name, they managed to have fun along the way, which is what trainers at MVP strive for. "The Body Transformation Challenge has been an awesome way to introduce a routine that's progressive to people who are either new to working out and or coming back to working out," said Katie Burns, a personal trainer and group exercise team leader for MVP Athletic Club in Brownwood. "It's a wonderful introduction to get people moving." Unlike challenges seen on "The Biggest Loser," a popular weight-loss reality television show, the MVP challenge highlights science-based weight loss studies by Mayo Clinic that encourage losing an average of 1 to 2 pounds a week. That's a stark contrast to the 10- to 20-pound weight loss seen on TV, said Ryan McKenzie, sales and fitness manager for MVP at Brownwood. "We realized a while ago that people were not going to see long-term success if they came into a weight-loss challenge and starved themselves or beat their bodies up until they could barely move," he said. "This is what has been happening on all of these reality shows. Trying to win a competition and shock the world with how much weight you can lose always comes back to bite you. Science has proven it now." Not to mention, the MVP challenge is woven into real life. "It's very different because in our challenge you have the option to come one to four times a week and it's an hourlong workout," Burns said. "We are asking that you dedicate that time to us when you join the challenge, but the rest of the time is yours. And while the results may be slower, what you learn will stick with you." One of my goals in retirement was to get in shape. So, I invested the time and the money and it was well worth it. - Karla Coble BEFORE This kind of mentality has produced great results for participants such as Coble and has promoted a sustainable healthy lifestyle. "Karla stays positive and keeps a smile on her face the entire time," Burns said. "She has struggled just like everyone else, but she continues to have a willingness to progress, to work hard and to adapt to change." That positivity continues to shine even half a year after Coble completed the challenge. "It's maintenance at this point," Coble said. McKenzie couldn't be prouder of her success. He encourages other residents to sign up and give the MVP Body Transformation Challenge a try instead of seeking a quick fix for weight loss. "If I measure how much weight you can lose in three months, you will do unhealthy things to your body to achieve that goal," McKenzie said. "But if I take your circumference measurements and your body fat percentage, you can't cheat that." MAGAZINE 39

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