’Tis the season for new year resolutions, and Vicksburg residents have committed themselves to losing weight and getting fit in 2010.

Larry “LD” Prentiss, owner of two LD’s Kitchen restaurants, said he’s aiming to lose 40 more pounds this year. That’s in addition to the 106 he’s already shed.

“I just want to live longer,” said the 6-foot-1, 58-year-old who used to weigh 387. “I gained all that weight over a period of time since 1972. Before I knew it, it was all on me.”

Prentiss began his weight-loss journey 15 months ago due to health issues. He started by walking each morning and changing his eating habits.

“I started out at half a mile, then went up to 1 mile, then 2 miles and now I’m walking 2.4 miles every day,” he said. “Once I got started and saw the weight I was losing, I started feeling better.”

He now weighs 281, has “excellent” health, he said, and more energy.

“I stopped eating fried foods, and I stopped eating at night,” Prentiss said. “That helped a lot. It’s like a habit now.”

Another person who is committing to losing more weight in the new year is Warren County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Jay McKenzie.

“I’m going to lose another 10 pounds,” said the 52-year-old.

At 6-foot-2, McKenzie said he weighed 265 before he began a diet and exercise regimen more than a year ago. Like Prentiss, it all started with health issues. After cutting back on portions and adopting a daily exercise routine of push-ups and sit-ups, he now weighs 215.

Also seeing the results of a lifestyle change is Tierra Stokes.

The 18-year-old mother of two is a two-time cancer survivor who wished to be healthy and lose weight. So, in October, the Mississippi Make-A-Wish Foundation granted her a two-year membership in a local gym and a 6-month supply of food from a national weight-loss program.

“It’s been 2 1/2 months, and I’ve lost 20 pounds,” she said. “My goal is to lose half my body weight by after the summer.”

In a news story in The Vicksburg Post in October, Stokes was reluctant to give her weight. But, after seeing some results, she revealed she has gone from weighing 230 pounds and wearing a size 20 to weighing 210 and wearing a size 16.

“I had to take three-quarters off the inside and outside of my favorite black pants,” said Stokes, who is a little more than 5 feet tall. “I substitute a lot of food, too. I’ll do baked chicken breasts or fish, and I don’t eat anything fried. I love vegetables. I’m not going back to eating what I used to.”

People resolving to lose weight often join a gym.

“We get a big rush in membership in January and February,” said YMCA program director Dustin Blount.

“Members need to commit to a lifestyle change first,” said Wayne Scott, YMCA fitness instructor and assessor. “We try to teach people that it takes one hour a day, three to four times a week and moderation to change your life.”

He suggests beginners start simple. “The No. 1 cause for people to not come back to the gym is that they don’t seek advice and hurt themselves. They overdo it the first two weeks.”

Chris Busby, a fitness trainer at the Y who also is a St. Aloysius High School’s football and baseball coach, suggests cardiovascular exercises to build endurance and, for a total-body workout, swimming.

“You can start with bicycles or an elliptical until you get comfortable and get the soreness out,” he said. “Then slowly add something to your routine.”

In addition to individual efforts, Linda Fondren, a local gym owner, is leading an area challenge — Shape Up Vicksburg’s 17,000 Pounds in 17 Weeks — that kicked off Oct. 17. Fondren has asked participants to lose half a pound in 17 weeks.

The challenge will culminate with an event on Valentine’s Day. And, State Rep. George Flaggs, who is a challenge participant, will offer a cash prize.

“I have committed $500 to the person who loses the most weight,” he said. “This is a great program.”

Some 2,050 people are participating, and 1,150 pounds have been lost — with about five weeks left in the challenge.

“It is critically important to remember this challenge is more about implementing lifestyle changes and not jumping from one diet to another to lose a quick 15 pounds,” Fondren said in an e-mail over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

As part of the challenge, free workout sessions are offered to participants at Fondren’s gym, Shape Up Sisters on Plaza Drive, and, one street over, at Wyatt’s Gym on Manor Drive. Additionally, free exercises classes are offered once a week at the Jackson Street Community Center and the Kings Community Empowerment Center. A schedule is posted at www.shapeupvicksburg.com, where participants also can track their progress.

The free classes will be extended through the end of the year, Fondren said.

“Things like this take time,” she said. “It has grown to more than I expected.”

Area restaurants have also joined in the challenge — LD’s Kitchen, Eli’s Treehouse Restaurant & Sports Grill, Eddie Monsour’s at the Biscuit Company, Goldie’s Trail Bar-B-Que, McAlister’s Deli and Rusty’s Riverfront Grill.

A healthy lifestyle should begin at an early age, fitness experts agree.

Pee Wee Workout and Cardiac Kids, led by Liz Curtis, offers children’s exercise classes at local community centers.

“We start working with 3-year-olds,” said Curtis. “At that point, they are so excited about running and jumping.”

A lifetime of motivation is also key.

Gwen Robinson, chief clinical dietician at River Region Medical Center, said “You have to be convinced, yourself, that this is something you need to do for yourself.”

She suggests teaming with a partner or group to stay on track.

Portion control and variety are also important, Robinson said.

“Our body needs 46 or more nutrients a day,” she said. “When you start cutting out food, your body is not getting what it needs.”

For a woman, average intake should be around 1,200 calories a day, Robinson said, and, for a man, around 1,500. “Calorie count is based on a person’s size, age and activity level.”

Exercise isn’t just for the young.

Seventy-one-year-old Bob McAuley, a retired civil engineer, plays volleyball — and eats a lot of whole wheat, he said.

“You got to have something you love to do,” he said. “You got to put a priority on it.”

He aims to continue to play volleyball three or four times a week in the new year.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com