Jose Chavez and Terri Birmingham have two sons and spend most of their day working at El Bee's Mexican Restaurant in Waterloo.

Over 15 years of prepping and serving food, Chavez said his once boxer-weight body has changed.

"I use to weigh 139 pounds. Now, I am probably much -- way over that. I would like to challenge myself," Chavez said.

The 2008 Family Fitness Challenge pits two families with two different lifestyles against one another as KETV's cameras roll and report on their progress. Chavez and Birmingham are taking on Angie Pennisi and her family. They'll get help from Boys Town Pediatrics and the YMCA.

Chavez said he hopes to drop 20 pounds. Birmingham, who waits tables at El Bees, said she hopes to lose 10 to 15 pounds. The couple said that within their busy lives, they tend to rely on fast food for meals, and they know that has to change.

Both parents said they want to work on their vices first -- which is soda for Jose and Terri loves Skittles.

"One of the things I would like for Jose and I to challenge ourselves to be better role models for our kids," Birmingham said.

Alex, 11, eats whatever he wants and can't gain a pound. It is just the opposite for 13-year-old Julio, even though both boys are very active, their parents said.

The boys said they are looking forward to working out at the Y, and everyone is hoping the challenge part of the Family Fitness Challenge can drive them toward their goals.

Track the families' progress online, and find suggestions that might work for your family, too.