Meet The Challengers: Men's Team

JON CLOSE

Age: 50

City: Tampa

Occupation: Freelance cameraman

Height: 5'9''

Starting Weight: 229

Goals for the Challenge: Get to 193 pounds and develop creative eating habits to last the rest of my life.

Biggest hurdle to weight loss: Creating new eating habits.

PS: I live with a superhero who happen to be my wife Pat who is beating breast cancer. When I work at the Ice Palace I work in a little room called the bunker by the TV crew. You may not be able to stand up in it, but I do have Xmas lights! I play drums and sing in a little rock n' roll band called Route 66. Finally this is going to be so much fun, it's sick.

MARTY GONZALEZ

Age: 41

City: Lutz

Occupation: Licenced Massage Therapist

Height: 6'0''

Starting weight: 400

Goals for the Challenge: To be healthy and happy, and to ride Sheikra at Busch Gardens with my kids. I've grown tired of simply accepting my weight as my lot in life. I need encouragement and support and I'm hoping this Weight Loss Challenge helps put me on the right path.

Biggest hurdle to weight loss: Lack of long-lasting will power.

PS: I'm a drummer and play a little guitar. I'm also an ordained Deacon.

DAN SHELNUTT

Age: 20

City: Valrico

Occupation: Full-time student and office assistant

Height: 5'10''

Starting weight: 435

Goals for the Challenge: To lose 50 pounds by the end of the semester.

Biggest hurdle to weight loss: Adjusting to a healthy diet in one of the most diet-unfriendly environments one can find themselves in: College.

PS: I am an Elementary Education major at USF, expecting to graduate in May of 2008. I am a huge (no pun intended) Bulls fan and love USF athletics. I am currently not married, nor do I have any kids.