Three men, three women, one resolution: Lose weight in 2008. Could public motivation, i.e. humiliation, give them an edge, make them eat smaller portions, exercise more and go easy on the alcohol and sweets? We'll follow them over the next six months or so and find out, because we all know that resolutions can easily crumble long before Valentine's Day.

But they can also last a lifetime. ''Any type of event that will help someone focus on what's important to them, I'm all for it,'' says Terrence Thomas, owner of Expert Fitness Solutions in Hallandale Beach, which takes a holistic approach to fitness. ``They have to be consistent about what they are doing and pay attention to their diet. That will set the tone for everything else.''

Residence: Coconut Grove

Occupation: Elementary school art teacher

Height: 6 feet 1

Weight: 223

Goal weight: 203

Action plan: I had this idea to put two jars by each door and put 20 pounds of fat in one jar. Then, as I lose weight I would transfer the fat to the other jar, a constant reminder of the dilemma. I could go to a butcher and say, 'Give me 20 pounds of fat,' but it would decompose and be disgusting. I told my wife I wanted 20 pounds of fake fat for Christmas. I thought a pound would be the size of a tennis ball, but it's more like a grapefruit, a yellowish urine color with red splotches. Look at it and you don't want it inside of you. I could sit it in front of me when I eat a meal. . . . I joined a gym three years ago, but it has not turned me into Charles Atlas. . . . I plan to eat less, not taking a second helping, not sneaking into the kitchen after dinner to see what's left.

Motivation: To see my grandchildren grow up. I don't have any yet.

Residence: Aventura

Occupation: He's a real estate broker; she manages investments.

Height: He's 5 feet 10; she's 5 feet 4

Weight: He's 260; she's 180

Goal weight: 200 for him; 145 for her

Action plan:His -- WeightWatchers or Body for Life, which is exercising and diet on your own, or Jenny Craig. I think it'll be WeightWatchers. We try to do something together so it's easier. No excuse not to follow it. . . . I've tried every diet in the book. The rice diet worked, but it was all rice. Nonsense. And the jungle diet -- eat like an animal. I ate everything. I'm getting off that diet. . . . The baby, he's an excuse to stay home and not do much exercise. We know we need to exercise. Hers -- Weight- Watchers. I tried Body for Life and I ended up putting on weight. Jenny Craig sends you food, but I'd prefer something more flexible. My husband didn't like WeightWatchers, but with me maybe he'll like it. He said he felt out of place with all the older women in the group.

Motivation:His -- To be healthy for my wife, for me, for my child. I have high blood pressure. Hers -- To be healthy, and my brother is getting married in early April. I don't want to ruin the wedding pictures. I went up to 200 in my pregnancy. I get so hungry after breast-feeding.

Residence: Sunrise

Occupation: Nurse

Height: 5 feet 5

Weight: 184

Goal weight: At least 160

Action plan: I've already started portion control and I walk every day. I said, ''If I can't start now (before the holidays), I won't start in January.'' I'm reducing carbs drastically and I'm reducing protein from beef. No more rice, no more sugar, no more alcohol, at least until I get my weight under control. I use Splenda in my coffee. I'm not a soda pop person, so I don't have to worry about that. I haven't tried any crazy diets. I'm scared of all those things.

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