Photo courtesy of Fitness Center
The three Wiesbaden Biggest Loser Challenger winners take the podium -- (from left) Elizabeth Baker (third place), Warlin Nicasio (first) and Michelle Hellinger (second).

Photo courtesy of Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness
Participants pose for a group photo after successfully completing the Biggest Loser Challenge.

WIESBADEN, Germany - Social distancing in response to the Covid-19 crisis has meant finding new ways to work out and stay in shape.

The sports and fitness professionals at the Wiesbaden Sports and Fitness Center have been active in offering a host of alternative, online opportunities. Yoga, Zumba, Barre and other classes – regular features at the fitness center – have now moved online to serve the Wiesbaden military community.

Jodi Kowalczyk, one of the center’s fitness instructors, recently wrapped up leading another successful Biggest Loser Challenge, shortly before the closing of the fitness center in response to the current situation.

In an effort to continue to offer similar programming, Kowalczyk will be hosting a four-week-long Biggest Loser Challenge online starting March 31 and running through April 23. Live workouts will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

During the last challenge, participants committed to getting fit by working on their overall health and fitness, learning about the importance of movement, strength training, nutrition, drinking water and a host of other topics.

“I start from square one and gradually add on as we go,” said Kowalczyk. “My focus is on a healthy lifestyle and making permanent changes that can be maintained for ongoing success after completion of the program.

“My goal is for participants to leave with a plethora of workouts they can do at home and having knowledge of proper form to prevent injuries,” she said. “I really encourage members to use Myfitnesspal to track all of their food and to shed light on the nutritional value behind all of the food they are putting in their mouths each day.

“I don’t believe in diets,” she added, “but living a healthy lifestyle. I hope that participants continue their weight loss journey and healthy lifestyle well after our time together.”

The fitness instructor congratulated everyone who completed the last session, noting that the challenge winners were Warlin Nicasio (first place), Michelle Hellinger (second) and Elizabeth Baker (third).

“I just received an update from a woman who was in my first Biggest Loser group last year,” said Kowalczyk. “She has gone on to lose more than 43 pounds and is only 18 pounds from her goal weight.

“If people are ready to make a change for their health, the hardest part is taking the first step by making a commitment to themselves by joining a program like the Biggest Loser,” she said. “The members who were really successful with losing weight during and after the program were committed to participating and focusing on their nutrition,” Kowalczyk added.

The Biggest Loser Facebook live workouts will be featured March 31 to April 23 (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.) on https://www.facebook.com/Sweaty-but-Ready-Fitness-2234064610142959. For more information about other upcoming online classes visit the #insidewithmwr home page -- https://wiesbaden.armymwr.com/promos/inside-mwr – or request to join the Wiesbaden Sports and Everything Fitness Facebook group -- https://www.facebook.com/groups/271487476394507/.