City of Lynwood Launches 2014's Weight Loss Challenge this Saturday

LYNWOOD, CA – Tying in with everyone’s New Year’s resolution to lose weight and live healthier lifestyles, the City of Lynwood is getting ready to launch its 12-week semi-annual Healthy Cities Initiative-based Weight Loss Challenge by challenging Lynwood residents, their families and local business employees to race to lose pounds in exchange for lots of cash.

The starting gun for the City’s Cash for Chunkers Race will fire on Saturday, January 25, 2014 where individuals who are interested in participating will meet at Yvonne Burke-Ham Park between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. to register and weigh in. The goal is to encourage the community to lose weight by eating healthy and learning the benefits of good nutrition and exercise. The Challenge will last for 12 consecutive weeks. Participants must register as a four-person team on Saturday, January 25 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and weigh-in every Saturday morning for 12 weeks. In the end, cash prizes will be awarded to the team and individuals with the largest percent of body weight lost.

“When we first began the Weight Loss Challenge, we had no idea what the response would be,” said Mark Flores, a deputy director of the City’s Recreation and Community Services Department. “We found the program to be a hit due to the group concept making the program fun and challenging. The participants have a great time competing against their own teammates and other teams.”

Participants must pay a $25.00 per person entry fee. A $1.00 per pound-gained fine will be assessed every weigh-in. All entry fees and fines go directly into the prize pool. During the 12 weeks, healthy weight loss and lifestyle tips will be provided and door prizes awarded. An optional fitness classes and a free boot camp class will be available on Saturday mornings as well as other activities during the week. Until supplies last, early registrations before January 25 will receive a free gift.

“This Weight Loss Program benefits the community in several ways: it betters the health of participants and the community by extension as participants take healthy habits home to loved ones, friends and neighbors; it creates community as participants get to know fellow residents in similar health situations as their own; and the friendly, competitive nature of the program brings people together,” Flores continued.

For more information about the “Cash for Chunkers” Lynwood Weight Loss Challenge, please visit www.lynwood.ca.us, email: recinfo@lynwood.ca.us or call Mark Flores, Deputy Director at (310) 603-0220, ext. 319.