Philadelphia Magazine’s Jumpstart Challenge 2010

Our first-ever Philly Mag Fitness Challenge is underway! Meet the four lucky Healthy Life readers who will be working their way to a better body and a chance to win our super-cool prize package (with their own personal trainer and nutritionist from Sweat Fitness!) below.

Starting today, Monday, January 25th, the four Healthy Life readers below are squaring off in Philly Mag’s first-ever Fitness Challenge. They’ve each been matched with a personal trainer from Sweat Fitness based upon personality, needs and goals. They’ll work out with their trainer once a week throughout the eight-week contest and will have unlimited access to the Sweat Fitness location nearest to them. They will also receive one-on-one nutrition counseling from an RD at Sweat to help whip their diets into shape. On Friday, March 19th, the contestant who has lost the greatest percentage of body fat will win …

A one-year membership to Sweat Fitness; a one-night-stay at the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, Maryland, complete with a spa package; a $250 gift card from 3000BC WellMed Spa; and a free, at-home cooking lesson with healthy chef Katie Cavuto-Boyle of Healthy Bites. (Oh, and major bragging rights.)

Throughout the eight weeks, we’ll be sending updates on how our contestants are doing straight to your inbox, as well as share their diet and fitness tips from their personal trainers. (In the next Healthy Life — sign up here, it’s free! — we’ll tell you the workout and diet plans Sweat’s experts have created for each contestant. I’ll also post updates of their progress on Twitter, and you can follow me here) Your job? Cheer these guys along and let us know how you’re doing following along at home!

Jim Schindler, Conshohocken
A 39-year-old store owner/self-proclaimed fast-food junkie. “The only thing I like better than bacon is cheese-covered bacon.” Meet Jim.

Devon Montgomery-Bender, Philadelphia
A 25-year-old just-married caterer who wants to begin the greatest adventure of her life feeling good and looking great. “I don’t feel beautiful because I know I’m not healthy. I want to start my married life as healthy, beautiful woman." Meet Devon.

Deidre McAllister, Philadelphia
A soon-to-be-40 working mom who wants to drop pounds so she can keep up with her teenage daughter. “I want to keep up when walking and for her to understand the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.” Meet Deidre.

Jessica Aiken, King of Prussia
A 24-year-old newly single professional who has three months to fit into her bridesmaid dress. “I’m a bridesmaid in two weddings that are quickly approaching, and I’m hoping to be rocking the form-fitting dress.” Meet Jessica.

Note: All starting weights were taken on contestants’ personal scales; They will have official weigh-ins and body fat percentages taken prior to their first workout with their Sweat trainer.