Jungle Challenge

The song of the majestic flamingos resonated throughout the oasis and the monkeys chattered. But the sound of the wild was not the only thing that could be heard Saturday morning at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville.

Slim Down Challenge contestants entered the jungle for the final challenge event, unsure where the adventure level would take them. Their mission was to prevail in the most rigorous and explosive physical activities on the 26 beautiful acres of lush tropical plants inhabited with over 1300 animals.

As the gregarious wading flamingos exhibited great stamina as they stood on one leg, the other tucked beneath their body, the contestants were pushed to the limit to test their strength, endurance and balance.

Master Personal Trainer Rich Pietrogallo began the challenge praising the contestants for making "healthy choices" and being "role models" to the community.

"To have the last challenge in this beautiful zoo is tremendous," he said. He commended the participants for their continuous team spirit and motivation.

Team spirit motivated contestant Eduardo Cruz to complete the balance and explosive training challenge. With five repetitions shy of the 20 required, the crowd cheered and encouraged Cruz as he successfully completed the grueling routine.

Harlingen resident Terri Garcia attended the final challenge to show support to all the contestants. She keeps abreast of the contestant's journey through their blog postings and Tuesday's Slim Down feature in the Valley Morning Star. "The Slim Down Challenge has been very motivational for me," Garcia said. Garcia began working out with Pietrogallo two weeks ago and actively participated in Saturday's challenge.

Terri made my day," contestant Rosie Ramirez said. Ramirez is Garcia's motivation every time she works out.

Pietrogallo lead the contestants through six challenges. A trampoline, core balls and dumb bells were key elements with the balance and explosive regimes. He introduced a new routine focusing on a rigorous crunch drill. As contestant Adela Feekes watched Pietrogallo demonstrate the drill, she pondered if she could do it. She quickly lay down on the exercise mat and said "I'll try." With a strong determination Feekes achieved each round of the drill and repeatedly said "it is awesome."

All the participants contributed greater endurance for successfully completing the physical routines. Ismael Gonzalez said the challenge "showed everyone made a lot of progress during the past 6 months. He completed the exercises with greater strength and endurance.

"Overall this challenge has been my best performance of all the challenges," Reva Ayala said. Feekes stated that the challenge showed her that she has built endurance as she completed the hour long challenge. "I'm happy with my success," she said.

The challenge ended with a cardio dash around the Zoo. Contestants formed a single file and successfully completed the strength training of high steps, backward walking, and uphill and downhill sprinting.

Personal trainer Christina Gonzalez said the contestants have "shown how much everybody can improve when kicking butt". "They did great; they showed great potential to do even better."

Some of the contestants have mixed feelings as the Slim Down Challenge comes to an end. Rosie Ramirez feels sad as the "challenge is coming to an end, with all the hoopla".

Pietrogallo emphasized the final weigh-in scheduled for October 23 is not the end of the journey, but the start of a new phase of their journey. "Making healthy choices is a lifetime commitment," Pietrogallo said. "It's an anecdote from alcohol, cigarettes, and chewing tobacco for relieving stress," he said.

Contestants and their families strolled through the zoo after the challenge.