Waukon Wellness Center to host "Biggest Loser" contest

by Jennyanne Hager

Starting March 1, the Waukon Wellness Center (WWC) will be looking for losers. Big losers.
Actually, the WWC will be looking for a couple of “Biggest Losers”, as the facility kicks off a 12-week weight loss contest that wraps-up just in time for summer. In late May, the male and female contestants with the top overall percentage of weight loss will earn the title of 2010 WWC Biggest Loser.
The immense popularity of the “Biggest Loser” television show, which has captured American’s attention for nine seasons, is the inspiration for the WWC’s own local Biggest Loser contest. Anyone looking to shed a few pounds before the sunny summer months roll around is encouraged to participate. The contest is open to both WWC members and non-members.

HOW THE CONTEST WORKS
Beginning March 1, participants will step on the scale each week. Unlike the television show, WWC Biggest Losers will have a more confidential results process. WWC employees will be available Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to conduct one-on-one weigh-ins. Participants are encouraged to get weighed on the same day of each week and wear the same or similar clothes each time to get the most accurate week-to-week comparison. Stepping on the scale at the same time of day will also help show consistency in the results.
Results will also be posted with anonymity in mind, with each person assigned a number for the contest. The system will allow everyone to compare their progress with other participants but still keep individual results confidential.
After all 12 weeks are completed, two top prizes will be awarded to the male and female contestants who lost the highest percentage of weight throughout the entire contest.
 
LOSE WEIGHT THE RIGHT WAY
The main goal of the Biggest Loser contest, and the WWC overall, is to get people to lead healthier lives, which includes a healthy diet as well as exercise. The contest aims to help people develop healthier habits for a better well-being.
The WWC will provide some workouts contestants can do, however, all exercise will be done at each participant’s individual pace and the time that works best for them.
Nutritional information will also be available to help develop healthy eating habits as well.
While people of all sizes and abilities are encouraged to participate, a pre-contest doctor visit is recommended for anyone who has not been active lately.
 
PRIZES & INCENTIVES
Besides the main cash prizes – one for the top male and another for the top female – there will be additional incentives to help participants maintain focus. For each weekly weigh-in a person completes, they will get $1 of their entry fee returned. Participants can reclaim up to $12 of their original fee by showing up for every weigh-in. The additional money from the entry fees will be split between the male and female Biggest Losers. Consequently, the more people that participate, the larger the grand prize will be.
In additional to those incentives, other weekly prizes will be awarded, including one to the holder of each week’s top weight loss percentage.

Anyone interested in taking part in the inaugural WWC Biggest Loser contest should register at the front desk by February 28, as the weigh-ins will begin the following day. See the ad on Page 3A for more information.