'Strongsville Weighs Less' is Off and Running

Pat Beran doesn't have any specific weight-loss goals -- she just wants to get healthier.

So she signed up for , a get-fit program offered for the second year by the Strongsville Women's League.

"I thought, a new year, a new start," Beran said. "Also, , so that was incentive."

On Saturday, 119 people showed up at the for their initial weigh-in. Dozens more came in for a second-chance sign-up Monday night.

The program is designed to give residents the information and motivation to start eating better and exercising. The Women's League has arranged a series of talks by local doctors and fitness experts, starting tonight with Bryan McIntosh of .

Beverly Kenworthy, who is organizing the project, said she recently ran into last year's winner in the men's category and was pleased to see he is still fit and trim.

"He kept all the weight off," she said.

The winners of last year's Strongsville Weighs Less were Brad Handlin, who shed 15 percent of his body weight in three months, and Jamie Merkle, who lost 12 percent and trained for a marathon during the program.

While registration closed Monday, organizers will have sign-up papers and a scale at tonight's support meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at the rec center.