The timing was right this year for Eric and Miranda Freeman to take the Hamilton County Health Challenge.

Last year, Miranda had to pass because she was pregnant with the couple’s third child. This time, there were no excuses.

"It was partly a New Year’s resolution and it fell at a good time because we were both ready to hit it hard," Miranda recalled. "The money incentive didn’t hurt, either."

The Freemans paired up with Stephen and Sharlene Osentowski to form the 50 Ways to Lose Your Love Handles team, one of 40 entered in the competition. The four-person team that loses the greatest percentage of body fat between check-in day and the end of the contest later this month will win a $1,000 cash prize.

Whether they win or not, Miranda said her family has made some sweeping changes in the way they approach nutrition on the homefront.

"We have cut down on portion sizes," she began. "That’s been a big thing. We’re also eating healthier snacks and eating out a lot less, which has saved us money, too. The kids really like those 100-calorie snack packs and we’re all eating more fruits and vegetables."

Miranda finds herself scanning the internet for new recipes, keeping a close eye on the health aspects of the menu.

"It’s been fun to come up with new recipes," she admitted. "There are things we enjoy eating, like pizza, that you can make in a way that’s lower in calories."

Children Colin, Brady and Madelyn, ages 6, 4 and seven months are getting in on the act as well.

"We have worked on getting the kids into the healthy snacking mode, and they seem to be enjoying it," Miranda said, noting that she now has smaller, prepackaged snacks on hand at all times. "They have picked up that things have changed around the house and it’s been good for them to see that we need to eat healthy. They ask me all the time, ‘Is this healthy, Mom?’"

So far, so good, for the Freemans. Miranda and Eric checked in at the mid-way point, where Miranda learned she had dropped 6 percent body fat since the contest began. Eric lost more weight, but was down just 2 percent body fat.

"I have been doing Jazzercize, which I’ve done for three years, but now I go five times a week," she said. "My husband doesn’t work out as much and I think you really have to have both."

With three weeks left in the contest, the race is on, not just with the other 39 teams, but at the Freeman household as well.

"We have a contest going between each other, so that’s made it kind of fun," Miranda said. "We’re pretty competitive. I’m really interested to see what the percentage is in the end. It’s just hard to know."

Win or lose, the Freemans hope the new health-conscious habits stick.

"I didn’t realize there were so many healthy foods that tasted so good," Eric added. "It’s been a pleasant surprise."