Wendy Scott remembers a time, not that long ago, when the thought of working out didn't seem so daunting. That was before she had children, before "life happened" and she had time to commit to a regular workout and commit time to herself as part of an active lifestyle.

It's a story shared by millions of women and men across Canada who struggle with growing waistlines, deteriorating health and lack of time, energy and knowledge needed to commit to a change.

It's also a story common to some of the eight women who became part of the recent Biggest Loser Challenge at New Hamburg's ABsolute Fitness.

Modeled on the reality tv show The Biggest Loser, the intensive six-week weight loss program wrapped up with a recent party at personal trainer Glenda Rahn's country house east of Bright. There the women gathered to celebrate the completion of the program, crown a winner and celebrate the start of what will hopefully be an ongoing commitment to living a healthy lifestyle.

Janice Gingerich took the Biggest Loser title and claimed the top prize of a one-year membership to the gym. She lost 19 pounds over the six-week period.

Local teacher Tammy Smerchinski was one participant who feels she won just by taking part.

"It's been good," she says. "It was a dramatic lifestyle change. I had no idea how intensive it would be."

Smerchinski says she joined the program because it offered creative ways of losing weight. Program coordinator Glenda Rahn challenged the group by taking them on surprise excursions to face their fears in everything from an obstacle course and belly dancing, to running a three kilometre race.

"I ran the 3K and I wasn't last!," laughs Smerchinski, adding she felt safe during every workout.

In addition to the weekly challenges, participants kicked up their heart rates with several hours of cardio each week. They also took part in classes designed to provide an education on ways to achieve proper nutrition.

"The resources are fantastic," says Smerchinski, referring to the binder of information each participant was given to track their progress and improve their eating habits.

Members of the group have already planned ways to support each other as their weight loss journey continues.

"You just gotta work it in," Smerchinski realizes now. "If you didn't it would be like throwing it away."

For participant Wendy Scott, who works as a daycare provider at ABsolute Fitness, constant access to the gym didn't seem to factor in to her lifestyle. Everyday she sees people she knows taking the time to maintain or improve their health, but Scott says she simply never focused on herself.

"For six years I've dedicated my life to my kids. I'm so busy."

When the opportunity was there to fit a workout into her schedule, Scott says she would come up with excuses or struggle briefly before quitting.

"I haven't watched the show because I didn't want a reality check," Scott says of the tv show the program is based on.

"That's why I like this," she adds. "It forces me to take time for myself."

And Scott's weight loss goal isn't just for her own benefit. It's for her kids..

This is for them, just so I can keep up. I'm tired of saying mom's tired."

During the wrap party, Scott was proud to say she's lost nine pounds.

"I loved it. The whole thing was just incredible," she says. "I can't even express how motivating, how life changing it was."

Scott is determined to continue towards her ultimate goal of losing 30 pounds.

Anyone who has watched The Biggest Loser knows it goes to extremes to achieve dramatic results. Morbidly obese people are forced to closely monitor their diets and struggle through several daily hours of exercise while being berated by a personal trainer. At the end of the intensive three-month program, weight loss of over 100 pounds is not uncommon for show participants.

But trainer Glenda Rahn took a different approach for her program.

Over six weeks the goal for each participant was a weight loss of 12 pounds. Rahn says that's a reasonable and healthy goal.

There's really no secret to weight loss, explains Rahn, a personal trainer at Absolute for the last three years.

"Nutrition is about having common sense," she says. "Work hard and stay away from the crap."

But with a three-to-five year commitment considered necessary to keep the weight off and establish a healthy lifestyle that will last, Rahn knows it's not easy. That's where the relationships and teamwork come into play.

"They're all talking about continuing on as a support network," Rahn says. "I would personally like to do a follow up as well."