UTAH STATE PRISON — Many people watch the popular NBC show "The Biggest Loser."
Something similar is happening in Utah, but in a gym that's only accessible to a certain population.
"Come on, ladies! ... High energy! ... Come on, whoa ... that's it!"
A voice rings out over the deafening music from a boom box.
High energy here translates into high hopes. Dozens of women in the Utah State Prison cannot change their circumstances, but they can improve their lives.
Several years ago Ferosa Bluff, an inmate — now the head instructor — developed a fitness program and gradually turned a little-used gym into a place where many find friendship and support.
"In 2007, I drafted a proposal to teach the women some exercise classes here, but my vision was beyond an exercise class. It was actually to instill motivation, camaraderie, teamwork and to actually bring about a life-changing purpose for the women," she said. "And that was the vision I originally had, and it's taken place now in two classes that I teach. Now, we actually have a more positive environment. For me, that's the blessing and the benefit right there, for me to keep doing it. I believe the purpose behind it is to help another human being. That makes it all worthwhile for me."
And, the women say, worthwhile for them. Coming from broken homes, struggling with low self-esteem, having committed serious crimes, many say they are not only improving their bodies, but also their minds.
"She just pushes us. We call her ferocious because she's so good at it," Sarah Gallegos said with a smile. "She just teaches us balance, keeps us sane, especially as addicts. We always have a weight problem, so we get out and go back to our addictions. In here, we get the training and the weight loss and walk out and feel good."
Crystal Huffman agrees.
"It affects every part of your life ... when you feel good and you build your self-esteem, it helps you to be able to want more for yourself and not allow the things that hindered you in your life before, still hinder you," she said.
"I believe, if you can do a workout program successfully, then it's going to bring everything else in your life together," said Bonnie Chun. "Spirituality, fitness, academics, leisure ... you have to have that balance."
Inmate Tracey Soules said the program helps build up inmates.
"There's a lot of guilt and shame and issues that come up when you're here in prison and everyday being reminded of what brought you here," she said. "Becoming a part of this program was really life-changing for me because we're a team here."
For 85 percent of the women, they're in prison for crimes involving drugs. The program, they say, helps them break their addictions.
Creselda Pando worked out before she went to prison but had difficulty breaking her drug habit. "I'm clean and sober now. I discovered it was so much more than a class — it's an experience. And by that, I mean you don't just come here and work out or do it: You live it."
Melissa Lyon said she offended and reoffended because of her weight. "I've been a big girl most of my life, so when I was introduced to meth, it was an easy way to lose weight. Now, I'm to the point where I don't just go and jog or come to Ferosa's class to lose weight. I feel good about myself."
"To me, Ferosa is like Jillian Michaels of 'The Biggest Loser,' said Sawsan Whitelaw, "I watch her every week, and that woman pushes and pushes, and I have my own Jillian Michaels to push and push and push just like she does."
Sarah Ataata described it this way: "This is a lifestyle, and every choice you make within this lifestyle has to be healthy — whether it's what you're eating, what you're doing in your recreational time, and so, it's helped me tremendously."
The corrections officers support the program. They see improvement in health and attitude. Elaina-Louise Howes, who is in charge of gym security and developing new programs, described one success story.
"I had one paroled about three weeks ago, and I called her my poster child. She was in at least one class every session for a year and a half. By the time she left, she'd lost almost 65 pounds," she said. "She looked like a different person, and she acted like a different person. She was happier, she was more confident and she had reduced or stopped taking some of her medications because she didn't need them anymore.
"Most of them are here for drug-related offenses, and the reasons they start taking drugs are numerous and varied," Howes said. "And we have all kinds of programs dealing with their issues both as victims and as offenders. But one of their bigger reasons for relapse is weight gain. They gain weight, and they only way they know to lose it is to use drugs."
She said a body shaping class focuses on healthy weight loss and teaches exercises and nutrition.
"I won't say it's a magic bullet and that everyone makes huge changes, but I have seen some really big changes in some of them. And it's kind of cool," she said.
The women say they understand why they are in prison. But they believe that participating in this fitness program will help them change their lives and help them to some day leave and not return.
e-mail: cmikita@desnews.com