Losing weight is one New Year's resolution many people make.

This year, Al Hawkins of Plymouth has partnered with Dr. Darryl Humenny, a New Hope chiropractor, to help people who want to follow up on their weight loss resolutions.

Several new weight loss classes are being planned. Two of the classes starting in January will be held at Northwest Chiropractic, 9405 36th Ave., New Hope. Those sessions will meet at 12:15 and 6:30 p.m. Thursdays for 12 weeks.

It's not the first time Hawkins has organized a group of people who wanted to lose weight. So far he has helped 38 people lose more than 300 pounds and 300 inches, he said.

While Hawkins also sells Herbalife products, he stresses that those who take the 12-week course can use any weight loss products or plan they wish. The weekly meetings include nutritional information and weight loss coaching.

Gerald Ben-Ami has taken Hawkin's classes twice, losing weight each time.

The free coaching and information about health and nutrition helped him, Ben-Ami said.

Jenett Harrell, another past class member, said she appreciated the support and encouragement she received as she achieved her goal of losing 10 pounds.

Each 12-week series requires a $29 registration fee, but the metabolism test is free. In addition, some of the registration fees are paid back to the biggest losers.

"Twenty-five dollars of each registration fee goes into a pool and is paid to the winners of our weight loss challenge," Hawkins said. "The winners are determined by the percentage of weight loss so that everyone is on an even playing field."

The first-place winner receives 50 percent of their fee while 30 percent is awarded to second place and 20 percent goes to third place, he said.

During the 12 weeks, members of each group begin to bond and help support each other in their desire to lose weight, Hawkins said.

"We have some accountability tools in place which are really kind of fun," he said. "If a challenger gains weight, they put $1 for each pound gained into what we call the 'Uh-Oh' can. If they miss more than one session, they put $5 per absence into the can as well. All the monies accumulated in the "Uh-Oh" can are awarded to the challenger who loses the most inches."

Hawkins said he enjoys watching each group begin to bond and support each other.

"It's really one of the best things," he said. "It's interesting to watch what happens among the group members. Initially, they don't know each other, but by about week five or six, you can see relationships beginning to develop. By the time the class ends, we are a family. That's gratifying."

For more information or to pre-register for a class, call 763-546-8085.

This story will also appear in the Jan. 15 print editions of various Sun Newspaper publications.

"We have some accountability tools in place which are really kind of fun," he said. "If a challenger gains weight, they put $1 for each pound gained into what we call the 'Uh-Oh' can. If they miss more than one session, they put $5 per absence into the can as well. All the monies accumulated in the "Uh-Oh" can are awarded to the challenger who loses the most inches."

Hawkins said he enjoys watching each group begin to bond and support each other.

"It's really one of the best things," he said. "It's interesting to watch what happens among the group members. Initially, they don't know each other, but by about week five or six, you can see relationships beginning to develop. By the time the class ends, we are a family. That's gratifying."

For more information or to pre-register for a class, call 763-546-8085.

This story will also appear in the Jan. 15 print editions of various Sun Newspaper publications.