Business Times

Sixteen participants in the Roasters Health Watch 2008 programme have two months to get fit. GERALD CHUAH writes.

FOR most of us, the line between good health and eating habits has been blurred, as we live in a land blessed with great variety in food and 24-hour restaurants.

Participants strike a pose at the start of the programme at California Fitness Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya.

The programme which started four years ago has been a huge success. Since the launch last month, the programme has attracted hundreds of applicants.

The contest which started last month will end on June 22. All participants have free access to any of the three California Fitness outlets located at Mid Valley Megamall, Sunway Pyramid and Menara Standard Chartered, and complimentary meals at Kenny Rogers Roasters.

California Fitness customises exercise routines for the participants and monitors their diets. Personal trainers guide them during their workouts which include weight training and cardiovascular exercises.

Those who don’t make the mark will be sent to “the roast” to make sure they work harder to lose more weight.

At the end of the competition, their Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Percentage and waist-to-hip ratio will be checked.

Prizes worth more than RM50,000 are up for grabs, courtesy of Gintell, Kenny Rogers Roasters and California Fitness. Outfits worn by the participants are sponsored by Antioni.

Berjaya Roasters brand manager Esther Woo said the Roasters Healthwatch programme has been very successful and it is proud to continue promoting good health among the public.

“We hope we can make a difference in changing society’s lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a good diet and exercise is the crux of the message we are trying to send,” said Woo.

She added it is a win-win situation for all — participants enjoy good health and Berjaya Roasters promotes its rotisserie cooked chicken with less fat, salt and calories.

The programme usually includes a celebrity couple and this year’s pair are radio deejays Abby and Krill of Sinar FM.

Krill said: “I am ready for this competition and I will give it my best. This is going to be fun.”

As for Abby, she believes the challenge will motivate her to eat healthy and exercise.

The deejays share their fitness story on air throughout the programme.

Assistant fitness master trainer Mohamed Shahril Rahman advised participants to start with cardiovascular exercises to burn off fat and eat regular meals to ensure their metabolic rate is maintained.

Participants keep a food diary and record their daily food intake.

Woo said although the two-month programme is a short time, it is still a challenge.

“It will take a lot of effort and discipline on the participants to stay on track and follow the programme. The result is well worth it for the life-changing experience.”

Zaharatul Hashman Jamalkhir, one of the participants, taking her measurement on the InBody 3.0 Composition Analysis machine.