How we're doing the Biggest Loser at work

Someone asked me how we're doing the Biggest Loser challenge at work, so I thought I'd blog about it.

I am one of the co-leaders of the Welco team at the high school where I work, and there are about 100 staff members here. I think around 30 participated last year. We learned a lot from that first Biggest Loser challenge.

Our Biggest Loser challenge lasts 12 weeks and the only formal weigh ins are the first and last.

This year we are opening it up to the entire district and to the community. We have done a lot of promotion work with flyers, etc. The local newspaper has done an article about it, and the reporter who wrote about it will even be joining us, so we anticipate more coverage. We expect around 100 will participate. We have men's, women's, and pair's categories. Every participant will pay $5 to enter. Half of that will go to our Welco and the other half will be the prizes to the winners.

We have solicited the support of the county health department and several of the fitness facilities in town, and we have the support of our insurance provider. The county health department will be responsible for the weigh ins. When people weigh in for the first time, they will receive a bag of goodies that will include articles on fitness, coupons from the community, recipes for healthy meals, a chart for people to keep track of their progress if they want, and a pedometer. Throughout the competition, everyone will get (and contribute) more healthy recipes. We'll have all sorts of after school activities for people to participate in if they choose, from exercise classes to open gym basketball and volleyball. The weight room is always open for staff to use any time. Participation in any of this is voluntary. The only requirements are the beginning and ending weigh ins, and I guess the ending weigh in isn't really required.

I don't know if any of this is helpful. We have been planning for this over the past few months, and we're really pleased that our insurance provider and everyone we've approached in the community is eager to to support us. We're hoping we'll have a successful challenge this year. The first weigh ins are tomorrow. Wish us luck!