Sports

Zeena Regis Named FitWit's 2012 Free Competition Winner

Winner's dad, who underwent quadruple bypass surgery and diabetes-related leg amputation, served as her inspiration.

Zeena Regis has a love-hate relationship with a cast iron kettlebell, a weight used to perform exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training.

“I think I may hate it,” Regis, a seminary student and the winner of ’s 2012 Free Competition, said.

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FitWit, an Atlanta-based fitness boot camp with three locations around the city, holds a contest every year offering a life-changing opportunity for a grand prize winner – six months of free fitness and nutrition instruction. This year, Regis won the grand prize.

“I have long been impressed by the work and mission of FitWit,” she said. “It is so motivating to be a part of a mutually supportive group in the pursuit of my fitness goals. . .I cannot imagine a better partner in my quest to get fit. “

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Contestants had to submit a 500- to 700-word essay on why they need FitWit. Each contestant’s essay was posted on FitWit’s blog and Facebook page, and current FitWit members voted on the entrant who had the most compelling story.

"We want to spread our message about building healthy communities to every corner of Atlanta, and this contest gives us the opportunity to speak to a larger audience," FitWit founder and president Josh Guerrieri said.

"It can truly be a life-changing experience for the winners, and by having our current members vote on the winners, we all get to be part of their transformation stories."

Regis’ motivation for entering the contest was her father. In the last year she watched as her father underwent quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery. In addition, he also had his leg amputated due to complications from diabetes.

“Watching him grieve the loss of some of his physical mobility and vigor sparked in me a new commitment to living an embodied and balanced life.”

But for Regis, the contest was not only about achieving her health goals.

“I love the fact that this contest offers the winner a small way to give back. I am inspired by the FitWit Foundation's larger mission of ‘empowering young people to live healthy an successful lives.’ I would have loved to be a part of a program like FitTeens when I was in high school.”

The FitWit Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, provides children and teens fitness, tutoring, and personal development programs throughout Atlanta.

Recently, Regis concluded her first six week session and traveled to Tennessee to celebrate her father’s 59th birthday.

“I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful cheerleader in my Dad,” she said. “It was his encouragement and his health challenges that inspired me to enter the Free FitWit contest. In just two months, I feel stronger, healthier, and so much more fit. I am getting in touch with my body in a way I couldn't have imagined even a few months ago.”


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