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MARQUETTE -- The YMCA's second annual Health Seeker's Program recently met its halfway point.

The 12 week program helps people get fit and be healthy by guiding them through an exercise and nutrition plan.

"They're learning that nutrition and exercise can be fun and they're building a little community within themselves," said YMCA health and wellness director, Jenna Zdunkek.

This year's community consists of 40 people, all slimming down to win one big prize: a year of free membership at the YMCA. But the program doesn't have any losers, unless of course you are talking about weight loss.

"For me it's not about the competition," said participant Cheryl Maki. "It's about getting healthier and losing weight. I obviously have a lot of weight to lose and i just want to be overall healthy and be around for a while."

Split into two smaller groups, participants meet twice weekly- once with personal trainers for a circuit training class and once with dieticians from Marquette General Hospital.

While the Y provides them with guidelines, pariticpants do most of the work on their own.

"Accountability is a huge part of this program," said Zdunek. "That's why they're supposed to write down every time they come in and exercise and they're also supposed to log everything they eat."

Six weeks in, Cheryl Maki has already made significant progress.

"i've lost 17 pounds so far," she said. "I got a lot to go but it's a start."

The program has already seen great success. The current front runner has already lost 9.1% of his starting body weight. The final weigh in is April 16th.