Posted at: 11/10/2009 10:42 PM
Updated at: 11/11/2009 8:02 AM
By: Kristin Martin

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Incentives to Keep Holiday Weight Off

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- It may only be the second week of November, but some are already worried about gaining a few extra pounds during the holidays. Some local gyms are now offering incentives to those who can maintain their weight through what may be the most food-filled time of the year.

Members of Anytime Fitness in Albert Lea approached trainer Sindy Dickey with a problem.

"They said you know we need to do something to get through the holidays,” says Dickey.

Certified fitness trainer Michael Lee also saw the need for a holiday fitness program, "Studies have shown that the average American is going to gain 3-6 pounds during the season."

So they came up with a plan, where members would pay to join a holiday weight loss challenge with an incentive.

“It keeps your mind in the right place so you don't go overboard throughout the holidays,” says Anytime Fitness member Deb Mallory.

The member who loses the most weight will win some extra cash, but those who tip the scale will lose out.

“If they exceed their initial weight then they will forfeit the entire 25 dollars,” says Dickey.

The YMCA in Austin is hosting a holiday boot camp where non-members can sign up and if they survive, they'll save.

“There's a $50 savings to them to get started with a membership, so that's a nice little reward for them,” says Executive Director Mark Bjorlie.

Trainers at Anytime Fitness say the added cash bonuses make the weight loss a little sweeter.

Dickey notes, “People will do some of the strangest things for money, including foregoing food."

And that gets people thinking about the added weight before holiday parties even begin.

“What we're hoping happens is that people are proactive and start thinking about remaining in shape during the holidays, not after the holidays when it's really too late and now they have to back pedal and take that weight off,” says Lee.

The gyms we visited are starting their weigh-ins next Monday and going through mid January. Trainers say they're hoping their members feel rewarded by monitoring and maintaining their weight over the holidays.