Get Fit Finale

Our first reality fitness program comes to a close. Find out how well our participants did during the 24-week program.

Posted July 12, 2010

In January, New Jersey Monthly kicked off its first online reality show, Get Fit New Jersey, by assembling a team of nine individuals determined to lose weight and improve their fitness. The nine took part in a tough 24-week program at LifeTime Athletic in Florham Park, working out three days a week with team trainer Shari Brainum. Though the program was often a struggle, all nine made it to the final bell.

When Get Fit New Jersey came to an end on June 18, the participants had lost a combined total of 183 pounds. The ultimate winner (based on her increase in overall fitness) was Paula Ortiz of Berkeley Heights, who, in addition to bragging rights, earned a makeover and spa treatments at the LifeTime Athletic spa.

If you’ve been following the Get Fit team’s weekly videos, you know how much fun the participants had in the program. You can still catch the Get Fit videoblog (sponsored by the Center for Medical Weight Loss) at njmonthly.com/GetFit, which links to the full list of weekly episodes.

Photos: Marc Steiner/ Agency New Jersey
Hair & Make-up: Jacqueline Cicala of lookswecreate.com

Note: "Before" pictures appear on the lefthand side, "After" pictures on the righthand side.


AND THE WINNER IS...

Paula Ortiz, 38, Berkeley Heights, elementary school teacher and mom
Pounds lost: 19
Body fat lost: 10%



“For the fifth time, my New Year’s resolution was to lose weight and revive my healthy eating habits. With Shari’s encouragement and fantastic tolerance for my relentless complaints, she made me believe in myself to get through the tough workouts. I began to feel empowered! I was beginning to push harder and smile at every little accomplishment, including running three miles on the treadmill, doing laps around the building, pushing a 4x4 truck, and enduring spinning classes again. I even completed an indoor triathlon. I’ve gone down four clothes sizes, and I feel like I can run a marathon.”

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Maryanne DuBois, 33, Warren, stay-at-home mom
Pounds lost: 10
Body fat lost: 4%



“Before this program, I was in a rut. I believed I was a has-been. I would reminisce about being an athlete; I used to be fast, strong, have boundless energy. Now, I am back to my old self but better. My energy is continuous and contagious, and I apply it to every task, from workouts to laundry. This program has transformed my body into a sexy, strong, and energetic one. This is only the beginning for me. I am playing on a soccer team, with games twice a week for cardio, and plan on going to the gym on the other days to maintain my newly toned muscles.”

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Richard R. Barr, 47, West Orange, kitchen and bath designer
Pounds lost: 26
Body fat lost: 7%



“I have been reminiscing a lot about the past 24 weeks. The first two weeks on the treadmill, my legs were cramping within the first 20 minutes. I had barely run a mile and was winded and sweaty and thinking, ‘I’ll never make it to week 24.’ Still, I was determined not be the first to drop out. By the end of the program, I was chatting with my teammates while running more than two miles, still sweaty, but nowhere as winded as I was in the beginning of the program—and we were talking about where we can find a 5K to run for fun! That’s when I realized how far I have come. Wow, what a difference.”

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Joe Rotondo, 52, Warren, systems integration consultant
Pounds lost: 40
Body fat lost: 12%



“It amazes me how easily we can lose our way in life. In 2009, my blood pressure was elevated, and at 5 foot 9, weighing 198 pounds, I was five pounds short of being considered obese. Numerous attempts at getting into my prior physical condition were unsuccessful. Some of the goals I accomplished during this six-month period were to run a marathon in under four hours, lower my blood pressure, and fit into old clothes and bathing suits. I’m back on track. Currently, I’m running 30 to 35 miles per week, biking 50 to 60 miles per week, strength training three to four times a week, and watching food intake much more carefully.”

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Hannah Arnstein, 36, Madison, stay-at-home mom
Pounds lost: 19
Body fat lost: 6.5%



“My lack of confidence in myself was not helped when I gained 80 pounds after having two children. Whenever I went clothes shopping, I would give up in minutes. The journey to believing in myself started when I stepped foot onto the grounds of what my friends now jokingly call my second home. I’ve completed an indoor triathlon, a 5K at 29:35, a half-marathon relay, and I just signed up for a duathlon in Central Park with my husband. I work out six days a week, and now my son thinks something’s wrong if we don’t go to the gym.”

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Adrienne La Rosa, 41, East Hanover, photographer and mom
Pounds lost: 12
Body fat lost: 8%



“At first, I sized up the competition to see who would be my biggest rival, when it turned out to be my injured foot. Sometimes I was frustrated that I wasn’t losing as much, but now I focus on the positives: I’ve lost inches, my clothes fit better, I am stronger, and I haven’t gained a single pound. I am learning to accept compliments—‘You look great,’ ‘You’re doing a great job,’ and, from my hubby, ‘You look hot!’ I give credit to our trainer, Shari, who endured six months with our crazy bunch and didn’t quit. We have all made new friends who strive for the same thing—health and happiness.”

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Catchi Thomas, 36, Millburn, legal administrator
Pounds lost: 15
Body fat lost: 6.2%



“I have done things I know I would not have done on my own or probably ever in this lifetime: I’ve lifted weights, climbed the rock wall, flipped a monster-truck tire, pushed a truck uphill, and completed a 5K and an indoor triathlon. I learned proper portion sizes, how to count calories and read food labels, the importance of multivitamins, and the right way to go grocery shopping. I am so excited about the warm weather since now I can fit into a two-piece bathing suit and can wear sleeveless and backless dresses with no extra ‘jelly.’ At my family reunion on the Fourth of July, I will get to enjoy my family’s company without being self-conscious about my weight.”

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Sandra Lee, 41, Whippany, small-business owner and mom
Pounds lost: 16
Body fat lost: 7.5%



“Get Fit NJ helped to jump-start me on the road to getting back in shape after having two children. Letting myself go for a decade and not having healthy habits at home weren’t helping me set a good example for my children. I loved the team atmosphere that came from working out together and overcoming adversities—kind of like going to war. The other benefit of the group atmosphere was accountability in showing up and going in with the right type of spirit. Unlike some of my team, I had a larger weight-loss goal, and thanks to Shari, my team, and perseverance, I’m halfway to my goal.”

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Ken Schlager, 58, Montclair, editor, New Jersey Monthly
Pounds lost: 26
Body fat lost: 12.5%



“When I started the program I didn’t have a clue what was possible. Never having worked with a trainer, I thought maybe I could lose 15 pounds. I soared past that goal pretty quickly, and my early success kept me motivated to work hard and follow the nutrition plan. I now weigh about what I did in my college days and am down to a size 34 waist. I wasn’t crazy about some of the more strenuous activities (like pushing a pickup truck), but the treadmill became second nature, and it all seemed to work. Now I’m concentrating on swimming and bicycling this summer. Just don’t ask me to jump rope.”

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