Who Will Be the 'Biggest Loser' in White Plains

Heather Miller’s blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels said she was healthy—but her knees were telling her something different.

“My knees are saying to me ‘things aren’t really right with you, lose some weight,’” said the executive director of the in White Plains.

And so Miller is doing just that, and is inviting the entire community to join her. , modeled after the hit NBC show, kickoffs at the Slater Center, 2 Fisher Ave., on Monday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

“I already bought my biker shorts,” said Miller. “For me this is freedom, because I am going to share my weight—which is something I’ve never done before.”

Miller hopes the challenge will serve as a freeing experience for all.

“I needed to do it [get healthy] for myself, and I needed to be motivated,” said Slater. “The best way motivate is to get other people around you doing the same thing. For me it [starting The Biggest Loser Community Challenge] was selfish—but I thought I’d share my selfishness with others.”

Challengers must be 18 or older and are must pay a $20 fee. The winner will get 50 percent of the pot and the runner up 25 percent; the rest will go toward program costs. Participants are invited to dance and fitness program, conducted by the Slater Center, at 6 p.m. The first 20 registrants will get free passes to use the YWCA’s Fitness Center.

“We serve a large African American and Hispanic community, in general we’re not taking care of ourselves,” said Miller. “It’s a wake up call for all of us. We’re becoming fat—I don’t like to use that word. It’s not the word we use to describe ourselves, but that’s what the reports are saying the US is becoming a ‘that word’ country.”

Miller said the event also illustrates the importance of bringing the community together to do something and achieve a goal. 

“This was an idea in my head,” said Miller. “When I mentioned it to staff they jumped on board and gave me ideas. We collaborated and pointed to the other people there. A lot of excitement has been built around this.”

Various local organizations are coming together to offer culinary and fitness classes to help participants drop pounds, including: , , , and Blythedale Children's Hospital.

Stacey Lynn Jackson, ShopRite’s in-store registered dietitian, will host the weekly weigh-ins, which is required for participants, as well as monthly seminars.

“ShopRite has a strong commitment to health and wellness and also to the community in which they serve,” said Jackson, who will serve as a resource to participants throughout the challenge. “The Biggest Loser Challenge is an example of one of the many ways in which ShopRite participates to improve the health and wellness of the community.”

The first weigh is on March 1 at ShopRite, with the final weigh-in and announcement of the “Biggest Loser” on May 31 at the Slater Center. Those who are comfortable with doing so will take before and after photos, so Miller encourages participants to wear a bathing suit or a tank top and exercise pants for the picture.

“The main point is it’s fun, it’s supposed to be a fun challenge,” said Miller. “I will get on board with this healthy living idea, and not have it be just another time I’m doing this again.”

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