Nearly 50 people had signed up by the first day of EDGE Personal Training's Ballard Fitness Fest. But, according to one Ballard woman, the rest of the contestants should probably quit now.

"You might as well tell everyone coming in that I'm going to win," Cindi Worthington told EDGE owner Erik Hroncich during her Feb. 22 fitness assessment, "Oh, I'm competitive."

Ballard Fitness Fest is a three-month contest devised by Hroncich. It is open to anyone who lives or works in Ballard or the surrounding neighborhoods. The winner, loser of the most body fat, inches and weight, will be determined in May.

"I'm used to being 300 pounds," Worthington told Hroncich. "But, I also used to be 190."

Worthington had been participating in roller derby fitness classes and was preparing for tryouts for a team when she pulled her quadriceps. The injury was partially responsible for her gaining 40 pounds recently, she said.

She said her goal is to be at least 30 pounds lighter and have clothes that fit in three months.

"I'm tired of wearing black spandex all the time when I have a closet full of beautiful clothes," she said.

Worthington said one of the reasons she signed up for the Fitness Fest is because it is a competition. She said her competitive nature will keep her motivated.

Hroncich said people seem excited about the the competition. Most people seem to be motivated to sign up by a mixture of having no more excuses and wanting to get ready for summer, he said.

He said he has been surprised at the level of interest in the contest, especially from people who aren't members of EDGE, located at 2821 N.W. Market St.

Ballard residents and workers still have until March 5 to sign up for the Ballard Fitness Fest. It costs $10 to enter, and there will be $650 in prizes awarded in June.

Of course, Worthington has plans to claim that first-place prize for herself.

She said she has told everyone she knows to keep her on track. She is giving up chocolate, working out with a trainer at the Ballard Athletic Club and walking her dog, who also could use to shed a few pounds, she said.