Taking a stroll into Lancaster County Thursday afternoon, Omaha native Shea Carpenter explains her goals: winning money, losing weight and transforming her life.

She and other reality TV show contestants walked a country road near the Chester-Lancaster County border as part of a 500-mile journey. Twelve contestants began their trek at the starting line of the Boston Marathon and hope to finish in Washington, D.C.

Camera crews followed the walkers, who trekked along in small groups and singly. Some crews focused cameras on walkers from the backs of vans with the back doors open, while other cameramen walked backwards in front of the contestants.

The show will air on ABC later this summer under the title "Fat March."

With the thermostat topping 90 degrees, the former Brooklyn University softball player called that leg of the journey "the hottest and hardest." Yet, she keeps a positive attitude.

"You'll make it," Carpenter encouraged fellow walker Chantal Carrere.

The prize
In this reality show, contestants are encouraged to work together and support one another. Everyone who completes the journey wins a cash prize, explains Steve Pfiester, one of two trainers. The more marchers who finish, the more money all the finishers will win.

Carrere of Boston explained that the cash prize played a part in her decision to be one of thousands of contestants throughout the country to apply for the show.

Contestants could not reveal how much they could win, but it is apparently enough to keep them going despite heat, aches and pains.

"I hurt in places I have never hurt before as an athlete," Carpenter said.

Getting fit
Stopping occasionally to pour water over her head to cool off, Carrere said she is glad she took this step.

"I wanted to change my life," Carrere said. "I wanted to change my body."

Pfiester provides contestants with advice on nutrition and portion control as well as encouragement.

"We try to lead by example," Pfiester said.

The trainers conduct physical and nutritional challenges on days the group does not walk. The contestants are also given a day off about every two weeks for weigh-ins, Pfiester said.

Pfiester gives the walkers encouragement, such as pointing out that the person has walked 10 miles already that day.

"Why not 11," he asked a contestant.

At this point in the march, somewhere around mile 300 of the 500, Pfiester mostly offers emotional support.

The ups and downs
Carpenter's favorite memories include walking into Times Square in New York to see a huge sign with the show's logo. She also liked following in Rocky's footsteps, walking up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Lancaster County offered another of her most memorable moments, a buggy ride she and another contestant won in a challenge.

Carpenter, a self-proclaimed "city girl," had never been a fan of camping. After walking 18 miles some days, the positive young woman with a long braid and a wildflower tucked behind an ear, said even she sleeps well in a tent.

Carrere said the hardest part of the walk has been hills and heat. Occasionally pouring water over her head to keep cool, she said she started the journey with a French manicure and has since lost a toenail. The most frustrating part for her has been back and leg pain. Another contestant complained of knee pain.

"There are times I want to stop," Carrere said, "but I also want to be a winner."

Transforming lives
Pfiester said group members are sometimes scared when they feel their hearts pounding.

"It is foreign to them," he said.

Some of the walkers are adults who never had to do for themselves, he said. A portion of the contestants have always lived at home, do not cook or make their beds. Some walkers previously had never even walked to get their mail.

"Here they have to do for themselves," Pfiester said.

Participants walk in all types of weather, get ready for meals and pitch tents.

Producer Brian Walmsky, also accompanying the group for the entire trek, said he is happy with the show's progress thus far. Riding in a shuttle van between groups of walkers while quickly eating a sandwich, Walmsky had time for just a few comments.

"The best part for me," Walmsky said, "is watching contestants' bodies and mental attitudes changing."