As the Orange on the Move Coalition kicks off its 5-4-3-2-1 Go! Challenge, fitness coach Evie Benson and nutrition coach Renee Kemske say they are optimistic that friendship can motivate two of the participants.

A pair of friends living in separate Chapel Hill neighborhoods, Beverly Knight and Laila Bradford, have teamed up to work with coaches Benson and Kemske throughout the 10-week program. Benson, the health enhancement director for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA, will serve as their physical activity instructor, while Kemske, lead nutritionist for the Orange County Health Department, will coach them on healthy eating habits.

Benson is a personal trainer certified by the American Council on Exercise, and Kemske is a registered dietitian.

While the challenge provides general guidelines to all participants, Evie and Renee said they want to tailor the program for Knight and Bradford to the specific needs of the two friends and to build healthy behavioral changes into their lifestyles.

"My philosophy is working with the person and making something that works for them," Kemske said. "You have to work within their parameters."

Benson agreed. Her goal, she said, is to teach Knight and Bradford simple physical activities that can be incorporated into their everyday lifestyle. For example, she said, simply parking a little further away from the door to work builds a little extra walking exercise into the day.

The two coaches stress that it's not necessary to buy a gym membership or hire a nutritionist to lead a healthier life. Rather, they want to show Knight and Bradford simple techniques and steps that anyone can take to improve health and well-being.

"We will be teaching them how to use things they can find around the house for equipment -- cans, chairs, towels -- as well as things around the community, like walking trails," Benson said.

Since a goal for both Bradford and Knight is weight loss, Kemske plans to talk about food labels, snack choices and ways to eat healthy despite a rushed and demanding lifestyle.

"Both of these ladies are busy," she said. "They don't have time to plan their meals or exercise. They're basically starting from zero, so they will make great improvements in this study."

Benson and Kemske said they are excited about what the 10-week challenge can bring, and they have high hopes for two friends.

"I think they are hungry for the information," Evie said. "They see there are things they need to work on, and they want to work on them. I think they're going to be great at this."