According to the 2009 Canadian Community Health Survey, roughly half of Canadians said they were a few pounds/kilograms over their ideal weight and around 17 per cent of Canadians were classified as obese.
While B.C. is the healthiest province in Canada and Whistler is easily one of the healthiest communities in B.C., nobody is immune to packing on a few extra pounds in the winter months.
To help locals battle the bulge, the Meadow Park Sports Centre has partnered with ActNow B.C., a provincial fitness program, and the privately owned Innovative Fitness Consultants to launch Fitness Fantasy 2010 in Whistler. Fitness Fantasy 2010 is a free 90-day weight loss challenge that includes a weigh-in and a home fitness/nutrition program.
The contest gets underway with a weigh-in at Meadow Park between noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 13. Participants will be given a guide book with fitness and nutrition information and a cardio program for walking, running or biking.
The contest runs until June 12, at which point participants will be weighed again.
If you have a few pounds to shed or are looking for a program to get back into summer shape a little quicker, then drop by Meadow Park on Saturday.
More information is available at www.fitnessfantasy2010.com.
Cross competition this weekend
Things are getting back to normal for Whistler Blackcomb following the Olympic Games, which means several local event series are back on track.
On March 13-14, Whistler Blackcomb is hosting the second of two Ski and Snowboard Cross events, presented by Powerade.
The competition takes place over two days to give racers a chance to train on the course after 10:15 a.m. on Saturday morning before taking part in a qualifier round. The following day the course is again open for training after 10:15 a.m., to be followed by the race heats.
The cost is $36 to register in advance. Day of race registration will be available until 9:45 a.m. on Saturday at the Rendezvous Lodge for $45. Helmets are mandatory and competitors under the age of 19 will need a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
The event is open to skiers and snowboarders of all ages, and early registration is recommended to guarantee a spot - some of the younger age categories sold out last time as a field of 150 athletes turned out.
Park Rider Sessions back with a halfpipe
The Park Rider Sessions presented by Telus will pick up where they left off in January with a halfpipe contest on March 21.
The event is open to all ages. Early registration is available for $26. Day of event registration is available at the Rendezvous Lodge until 9:45 a.m. for $30.
Helmets are required, mouthguards are recommended, and skiers/riders under the age of 19 will require a signed waiver to participate.
The final event of the series is a slopestyle on Whistler on April 18.
Whistler skier third in freeski contest
The North American Freeskiing Championships took place at Kirkwood Mountain Resort in California last weekend with a dusting of new snow padding the way for competitors.
Whistler's Crystal-Rose Lee placed third in the women's competition with a score of 87.57, behind Janina Kuzma of New Zealand and Angel Collinson of Snowbird. Kuzma also won the Sick Bird award usually presented to the skier who lands the biggest drop or trick of the day, one of the few times that the award has been presented to a female competitor.
No Whistler athletes competed in the men's competition, although Aaron Schmidt and Caleb Brown of Fernie represented B.C. well by placing second and fifth respectively. Carter McMillian of Lake Louise, the other Canadian in the contest, was sixth out of 30 competitors.
