Stanislaus County Westside competitors vie to be Biggest Loser

NEWMAN -- It didn't take long for the smack talk to start.

"Should I take the quarters out of my pockets?"

"Think heavy thoughts."

And -- this one directed at an officer of the law -- "Hey! Take off your gun and vest! That's another 80 pounds!"

Thus began the annual Westside Biggest Loser competition, in which teams representing Patterson, Newman and Gustine vie to drop the most weight. The winners get nothing but bragging rights for a year, but in these communities, that has become a valuable asset.

Thursday was the first weigh-in. The second will come in eight weeks, when contestants presumably will arrive wearing lighter clothes -- and no guns or bulletproof vests.

The kickoff is held each year at the Healthy Choices Summit, which provides information on programs from park activities to ambulance services. The program is provided by the West Side Health Care Advisory Task Force, formed four years ago to help improve health care access and information on the rural Westside of Stanislaus and Merced counties.

Efforts such as "West Side Walks," in which community members are invited to walk around a high school stadium or a public park, have proved popular with residents. Patterson opened up its high school gym to residents over the summer, and enthusiastic games of basketball and volleyball ensued, said Adrienne Chaney, the city's parks and recreation director.

With all the emphasis on health, it's probably a good thing that the competition for the "Biggest Loser" title is healthy, as well. Each city has had a team in the winner's circle for the first three years of the event.

Stanislaus County Supervisor Jim DeMartini, a member of Patterson's team, thinks a repeat for the city is in the making -- a team representing a gym in Patterson won last year.

But, he said, he's already become a winner at losing. After losing and regaining the same 10 or so pounds the first two years, he's kept off the 12 pounds he lost last year.

"I exercise for 20 minutes a day, six times a week," DeMartini said. "Now I want to lose 12 more."

Modesto Bee staff writer Patty Guerra can be reached at pguerra@modbee.com or (209) 578-2343.