By DAVID VITRANO

News Editor

LAPLACE—The reality show craze may be losing a little steam on TV sets across the nation, but here in St. John Parish at least one reality show-inspired trend is just getting off the ground.

At Airline Athletics, 17 of the gym’s members recently weighed in for the facilty’s “Biggest Loser” contest.

The contestants do not share the epic proportions of many of the television show of the same name’s portly participants, as most are looking to lose only between 25 and 50 pounds. But their desire and discipline must be at least equal to that of their televised counterparts if they wish to be successful in their endeavors.

Unlke the TV show, the Airline Athletics participants do not have an army of trainers and nutritionists, not to mention millions of viewers, to aid them in their quest to shed pounds. They must do it all on their own, relying only on inner strength and willpower to get them to their goal.

Another notable difference between the show and the local contest is at Airline Athletics, contestants are scored not on total poundage lost but on total reduction in body fat percentage. This levels the playing field so that those who do not need to lose as much are not put at an unfair disadvantage.

The contestants will get to measure their progress every other week, with weigh-ins happening throughout the course of the day every other Monday.

At the end of the 15-week program, the gym will announce first-, second- and third-place winners.

The “biggest loser” will receive a free one-year membership to the gym as well as a duffle bag filled with about $300 in products that will help them stay the course in their pursuit of a healthier, fitter physique.

The second- and third-place finishers wil get a six-month and three-month gym membership, respectively.