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Jessica Young, a personal trainer at Gold's Gym, and Melissa Bennett, a personal trainer and fitness instructor at Gold's Gym, organized a fitness benefit Nov. 3.

Named "Get Passionately Pink for the Cure," the benefit raised money -- in fact, $300 more than its goal -- for breast cancer awareness and treatment.

Bennett wanted to work with the Komen foundation for several years and Young believed this year would be a good time to start the event.

Located off Buckeystown Pike, the gym became papered in pink, Young said. A group of women and one man met at 8:30 a.m. and started a four-hour run of events.

First up was an "Attack for the Cure," a high/low cardiovascular workout, followed with the "Body Challenge," a boot camp-like workout that was "a little more gentle." Next came "Healing and Harmony," a combination of tai chi, pilates and yoga. The group finished with lunch and a presentation of prizes and gifts from their sponsors.

"Yoga was the hardest," said the top donor, Linda West, a subcontractor specialist from Bechtel Power.

"We were hoping to help people recover from Halloween," Bennett said of the yoga.

Lunch consisted of turkey burgers provided by Ruby Tuesday's. First prize was a "Southern Comfort Package" from City Magnolia Day Spa, Urbana, valued at $215. Second prize was a gift basket with products from Thomas Scott Salon and Spa, Frederick, valued at $150.

"Everyone left with something," Young said.

Even the man, Mike Lenzi, received a non-girlie prize: a free oil change from Frederick Nissan.

This is one in a series of stories that goes behind the scenes to explore the unusual, memorable, quirky things people do � and go through �in the course of their lives. In the past, Travis and Marissa Edelin may have considered auditioning for NBC�s The Biggest Loser, specifically casting this month for co-workers, family members and spouses. But the Edelins needn�t apply any longer. For six months, they've forsaken McDonald's and consistently hit the gym. So we asked, �What�s it like ... to lose 110 pounds together?�

Travis and Marissa Edelin drove 10 minutes to Gold's Gym. They were determined to cancel their year-old membership.

Marissa agreed. "I refused to keep wasting the money," she said. "I had a feeling someone might try to change our minds, but when we went there that morning, I was adamant."

Chris Maddox, co-owner and personal trainer at Gold's, happened to be standing near the front desk when the Edelins came that day in February and politely requested a cancellation form from the associate on duty. A Washington firefighter, Maddox is generally busy training clients when he's at the Md. 85 gym.

"They both weighed 300 pounds -- at least they looked like it," Maddox remembered. "I was like, 'Have you two ever even been here before? Because, if you have, I haven't seen you.'"

Not one to mince words, the certified EMT bluntly informed the Edelins of what lied ahead as they completed the paperwork.

"You're out of breath and sweaty from walking 5 feet from the parking lot," Maddox said. "You're going pay a price for the way you've been eating and the lack of exercise. You're going to die.

"I don't care if you join here or somewhere else," Maddox continued, "but you need to get a personal trainer and change your lives."

Travis became so enraged listening to Maddox that he threw the cancellation form across the desk at him.

However, second thoughts crept in when they got home. Obesity and diabetes run in their families. They realized the truth in Maddox's serious tone.

"He's good at tough love," Marissa said.

They returned later that afternoon. Maddox had left, but they still rescinded their cancellation. They also purchased a personal training package.

The plan Maddox devised wasn't complicated: weight lifting three times a week and cardiovascular exercise for at least 30 minutes, three times a week. Results were quick.

Travis said he could do two push-ups at the outset. Maddox says "Zero." Today, he does 12-15 easily, "more if I push it." At 6-feet-tall, he's gone from 320 to 270 pounds and has become a friend and workout partner with Maddox, who teases and calls him, "Angry Travis."

Marissa, 5-feet-5, dropped from 290 to 230 pounds. Initially, she struggled to stay on the elliptical machine for two minutes. Now, she walks a brisk pace for 30 minutes at a pop.

"Well, yeah, it kind of sucks at first because you can't eat the stuff you're used to eating and everything hurts," she admitted. "But the weight just started to fall off and that keeps you going."

In terms of body composition, they have each shed 70 pounds of fat, because they've increased their muscle mass. In the exchange, they've gained new energy.

The former self-described couch potatoes get out more, do more, walk more and play more with their nieces and nephews. They suddenly find little time to watch TV. Getting fitter by the week, they've also become more serious about having their own children.

"We always wanted to, but we knew we needed to be healthier ourselves and we weren't," Marissa said. "I mean, we wouldn't have been able to climb on the jungle gym with them."

It hasn't all been roses, of course. They don't dine at their favorite fondue restaurant -- not since Valentine's Day when they started the reduction process. Marissa mostly cooks healthy meals at home and they take leftovers for lunch. Travis works for Cox Communications; Marissa's a nursing assistant.

"I stay away from the center aisles of the grocery store," she said with a laugh. "That's where the snacks, sodas and chips are. Stay on the outside, that's the secret. That's where you find the produce, the fresh vegetable and fruit, dairy and meat."

Besides buying food, the other significant difference is shopping for clothes.

"When we first came to workout, the only thing I could wear was a T-shirt and sweatpants," Marissa said. "Now, I can fit into name-brand gear. And I've worn shorts for the first time this summer in five years."

Travis said he "had to buy everything at Big and Tall men's shops or online. Now, I can walk into any store. I'm an XL for the first time since I was 12."

Monday, Marissa bought a new dress, something else she hasn't worn in years, for her mother's birthday party.

"Yeah, she looked really nice," Travis said. He added, "I always thought she looked good, though."