MARQUETTE -- With self-discipline and encouragement from their spouses, the Petersons and Brooks have come a long way in the past 11 weeks.

"I'm really proud of Danielle," said her husband Mike Peterson, "for how she gets up at 5 a.m. every morning and works out."

"David is really excited about where's he's headed," commented his wife Eli Brooks, "and I see him being able to hang on to it for the long haul."

Although each competitor started out with his or her own goals, with only one week left in the YMCA Health Seekers competition, success for the couples is now measured in each other's progress.

"It's been encouraging because we're doing it together," said David Brooks.  "We enjoy each other's company, so working out together is great."

They've all lost weight, but the importance of seeing results on the scale has diminished when compared to how they're feeling and how their clothes are fitting.

Both couples admit that staying on track after the competition comes to an end will be tough.

"My husband and I want to keep going with being active," said Danielle Peterson.

They're hoping that by having accountability with each other, their long-term goals of maintaining a healthy lifestyle will be possible.