NewsWest 9
MIDLAND - It's a fun, new way to drop those extra pounds and you don't even need a gym membership. It's called the Midland Area Fit Club and it's a fairly new group in the Tall City.
"A lot of people struggle with just starting a program, with just deciding that this is what they want to do and sticking with it," Katy Ochoa said.
Ochoa used to be one of those people.
"I know I always had a gym membership and I never went," she said. "I just never could get that motivation."
In the last year, Katy finally decided to slim down for good.
During that time she said she noticed the bad eating habits that are so easy to fall into.
"We know what we're eating," Ochoa said. "We know what we should be eating and we know that exercise is the way to go. The trends for obesity in this country are at an epidemic rate."
According to the Texas State Data Center, in 2009 almost 67 percent of Texas adults were considered overweight or obese.
In 2010, more than 25,000 Midland County residents were estimated to be obese. Ector County was estimated even higher at 27,000 people.
The center estimates those numbers will double by 2040. But Ochoa is hoping to beat those numbers by creating the Midland Area Fit Club.
"We do the workout together," Ochoa, who is the instructor, said. "I'm right along with you, just looking up at the big screen. It's projected and its nice and loud music."
The group meets once a week at Memorial Christian Church.
"I decided what a great way to share with all my friends and beyond. I want to invite as many people from the community," Ochoa said. "It's a great time for people to jump back in and really commit to something to better themselves."
Even better, the fitness group is free for anyone who wants to go.
Ochoa said this is a place where you don't have to be self-conscious about your weight.
She hopes this will be the push many need to finally get fit.
"Just knowing that you have someone else in the same boat that you're in," she said. "I can do this too. This is something I can do from this step forward, here we are."
