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The new year is here and for many of you losing weight is topping those resolution lists.

Well, there is a local program that can help.

It is the same idea as the hit, NBC show "Biggest Loser" just without the cameras, million plus viewers and cash prizes.

It's called Lose it for Life at Kennedy Fitness in San Luis Obispo and these folks are not in it to win it, they are all about losing.

"At the end of the 12 weeks I actually lost 20 pounds and since then I lost three more," said one of the club members, Ed Clerkin.

In fact, since January, there have been two, twelve-week programs with a total weight loss of 400 pounds.

Some people have more weight to lose than others, so the average weight loss has been 25 pounds.

"In 12 weeks I watch them walk away a different person. I watch them walk away with confidence, excitement and hope," said Trainer and Program Founder Lou Ferrera.

She pushes them, hard, but there's more to it than the circuit training.

There are also weekly meetings with Nutritionist Patty Bonafede. "They need to learn this for life. This is a journey. It's not about just dieting and then getting back to normal," she said.

They also meet with weight loss specialists, such as Gene Gomez. "I had a lot more to lose than many of these people doing the program once I got to Kennedy I was still over 300 pounds." Gomez lost more than 300 pounds the way they're doing it in this program; through good old fashion sweat and tears.

"It's hard. A lot of times I kept saying I can't, and Lou would say 'WHAT? That's not in your vocabulary,'" said Amy Tewell.
When the reporter asked, "why, because you could?" Tewell responded, "Yeah, I could. And Lou knew I could. She knows how hard to push you."

Amy lost 40 pounds in twelve weeks.

Now nursing an injury, she was not able to join the workout during the interview, but she still showed up to support the group because it is also about pushing each other.

"It was a team effort on all of us. It's not just one person doing their own thing," said Clerkin.

Together this group knows they can Lose it for Life.

The next 12-week program starts up January 16. The deadline to sign up is January 5.

The program costs $1,895.00.

Kennedy does offer a payment plan.