LIVINGSTON – The University of West Alabama’s Fitness Center hopes to inspire students, employees and community members to get healthy in 2011 by joining UWA’s Biggest Loser contest, modeled after NBC’s hit series and kicked off by “The Biggest Loser 7: Couples” contestant Tara Costa in a free presentation Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at Bibb Graves Auditorium.

A former plus size model, Costa lost 155 pounds during the series and has maintained her healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. She weighed 294 pound when she arrived on the Biggest Loser campus to train with Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper. During her 18 weeks the show, she never “fell below the yellow line” and won a record-setting eight challenges, the most of any contestant in show history. At the season finale, she weighed 139 pounds.

“As we encourage members of the UWA community to get in shape through our Biggest Loser contest, the University is excited to welcome Tara Costa to campus,” said Rebecca Hall, UWA’s fitness and aquatics coordinator. “She inspired millions with her heart, spirit and determination during her weigh loss journey, and we know she will do the same in Livingston.”

UWA’s Biggest Loser contest, open to all students and fitness center members, begins mid-January and ends March 24. Participants may register in the Fitness Center on Jan. 17-21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Based on the TV show format, local winners will be chosen based on weight loss percentage. Male and female winners in the student category each receive $100. Male and female winners from the fitness center membership category win one-year free memberships.

Contest weigh-in dates include Thursday, Feb. 10, Thursday, March 3, and the final weigh in Thursday, March 24. Last chance workouts will be offered the day before each weigh in at 5:15 p.m.

“Our competitive format is just the motivation many people will need to get their weight loss on track,” Hall said. “UWA hopes to see transformations, such as Tara Costa’s amazing lifestyle changes, achieved through this Fitness Center program.”

Located in the Student Union Building, the recently renovated Fitness Center features an increased inventory of cardiovascular training machines, weight machines and free weight equipment. Also offering personal training services, an outdoor pool and racquetball courts, group fitness classes, and a game room, the facility benefits not just UWA students and staff, but also the whole community.

For more information or to register for UWA’s Biggest Loser contest, please contact Rebecca Hall at 205-652-5452 or rhall@uwa.edu.