All nine contestants chosen for the New Year, New You program through FirstHealth Richmond Memorial and the Richmond County Daily Journal have one thing in common — they all know what it’s like to not fit in, literally.

Many of them have had the mortifying experience of not fitting in a roller coaster ride at a theme park.

“I’m that lady,” said Angie Dixon, 30, one of this year’s contestants. “But I’m going back this year and I’m riding everything.”

Out of 77 applicants, nine were chosen to participate in this year’s New Year, New You program, which kicked off Friday.

“If you don’t stick to it, you’re not just disappointing yourself, you’re disappointing the 68 other people who could have been on this program,” said Patti Friedman, director of the Richmond Memorial Hospital Center for Health and Fitness, who is overseeing the New Year, New You program.

During the meeting Friday evening, Daily Journal publisher Rick Bacon, who participated in last year’s program, told the contestants just what he expects out of them this year.

“What got me excited last year is I was up to the highest weight I’d ever been, and I am a diabetic,” Bacon said. “I lost 85 pounds last year, but I still have more to lose. Last year was exciting except they didn’t do as well as we’d reasonably expect. I’m counting on you to take a whole new approach. You’ll be doing this for 13 weeks. For almost a year I lost three pounds a week, so it shouldn’t be difficult to lose 30-40 pounds if you apply yourselves. When you step on the scale at the end of this you’ll have learned things that can help you carry on after the program.”

During the meeting, each contestant spoke about why they wanted to be a part of the program.

“I’m a diabetic and I want to change the way I eat and get my health back, and get in shape,” said Darlene Estridge, 46. “I want to lose about 20 pounds.”

“I want to lose weight and be healthier so I can do my job better, and move better,” said John Downs, 30. “I want to lose 50 or more pounds.”

“I had to maintain my weight in the Air Force but I’ve gained a lot of weight since then and am pre-diabetic,” said Harry Coble, 62. “I need to lose weight to be healthy and learn to eat right so I can have more energy. I want to lose about two pounds a week.”

“My mom, dad and grandparents are all diabetics. I am not one, but I will be if I don’t do something about it,” said Patricia Freeman, 54. “My baby sister died at 39 from a massive heart attack, she was overweight.”

Freemann said she started 2010 promising herself a “new me” and kicked it off with corrective laser eye surgery, because a few weeks ago, she was legally blind. She said throughout this program she wants to lose at least 50 pounds.

Barbara Poston, 53, said she’d tried many diet programs before but has never done an exercise one, and hopes to lose 50 pounds.

“I committed last year to lose weight and lost 50 pounds by just watching calories,” said Lisa Rushing, 24. “I have never done a program combining nutrition and exercise and want to lose 20 pounds or more.”

Wendy Calvin, 36, said she wants to lose the weight to ensure she’s around for her family.

“I have an amazing husband and I want to look good for him,” Calvin said. “I also have a 4-year-old son and I’m expecting, I’m six weeks pregnant, so I can not gain any weight. Heart disease and diabetes runs in my family and I want to be around for a while.”

Angie Dixon, 30, said when she turned 30 last year she promised to make a change, but it took the New Year to solidify the promise.

“I want to be healthy and look better,” Dixon said. “I want to feel good. I want to have energy to feel like playing basketball with the kids. I want to be a better me and lose the weight and keep it off. I want to lose 50 pounds.”

Dr. Lauren Alter, who will be a contestant and medical counselor to the patients when needed, said it was important for her to improve her health so she could continue to counsel her patients with a clear conscience.

“When I thought I was moving down here I told myself I was going to start fresh and I knew I wanted to inspire people,” Alter said. “People see me and I have to tell them to lose weight and exercise, and I can’t be a hypocrite.”

Throughout the program, contestants will meet with a personal trainer once a week.

The frequency of the personal training sessions was limited this year to encourage contestants to work independently so they would feel more empowered at the end of the program, and everyone is expected to work out at least four to five times each week.

“The point is to make a lifestyle change and to learn to do these things on your own,” Friedman said.

Personal Trainer Richard Ethridge said it was his job to help the contestants, not hurt them.

“We won’t try and hurt you,” Ethridge said. “If some exercise does hurt, just let us know.”

And trainer Sam Stokes knows exactly where the contestants are coming from, having once weighed between 230 and 240 pounds himself.

“My weight has always been a struggle and it really is all about what you eat,” he said to the contestants.

While exercise is a big part of the program, the contestants will also take a nutrition class once a week with Amy Hamilton and learn how to shop for healthy food, make recipe modifications and substitutions, and cut calories.

All classes and training sessions are mandatory for the 13 weeks.

“This does not promote binge dieting, or ask you to give up foods,” Hamilton said. “It just teaches you to be more aware. Come with an open mind and be willing to make some changes.”

Hamilton said this year they’ll allow spouses to come to meetings, or whoever else is at home doing the cooking, so that everyone has a support system and is on the same page about healthy nutrition.

Contestants are required to keep a food and exercise journal throughout the program.

And when the 13 weeks are up, the program won’t really be over because every month the contestants will be required to weigh in at the Health and Fitness Center, and every three months, all of the contestants will gather for a meeting to see how things are going, what’s working and what’s not.

“Be prepared to give it all you’ve got,” Friedman told the contestants.

Weigh-ins will be Fridays from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 3-6:30 p.m. and results will be faxed to the Daily Journal that night. Updates will appear in the paper every Tuesday. Their weight will not be printed, but we will print how much they have lost or gained.

“The only prize you get at the end of this is saying ‘I’ve done well’ when you step on the scale, and you learn things to carry on after the program,” Bacon said

Staff writer Eren Tataragasi can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or at etataragasi@yourdailyjournal.com.