It's Mike versus Mike in weight loss

Cannon County Mayor, Mike Gannon, and DeKalb County Mayor, Mike Foster are putting their fair counties on the line in a “battle of the bulge”, or as they laughingly like to call it --- the “say goodbye to coconut pie” challenge.

The 90 day Ultimate Weight Loss ChallengeCelebration is kicking off on Monday, April 29th at Stones River Hospital from 4:30-6:30pm and Tuesday, April 30th, 2013 at the DeKalb County Complex from 5:30-7:30pm. Any Cannon or DeKalb County Resident can participate for $10 as an individual or $35 for a team of 4 or 5. Each participant will receive exercise tips from personal trainers, healthy recipes, coupons, discounts for healthy fare and more.

Weekly emails of encouragement will be sent to participants to motivate their efforts of healthy choices and keep them informed of local exercise and support group opportunities. The individual or team with the highest overall weight loss percentage will receive cash awards and prizes for their age categories. After 90 days, the highest overall Cannon County winner will go “head to head” with the DeKalb County Champion to reveal the winning county and claim their trophy.

“It is our hope that the community will come out and take the 90 day challenge to be fit, healthy and support each other. The weather is warming up and it is the perfect time to get active and fit as a county. Obesity is bad for our health and our attitude. Let’s all lose those extra pounds and feel great together,” stated Sue Conley – Chief Executive Officer Stones River Hospital and DeKalb Community Hospital.

“I am so very grateful for everyone who has helped to pull this challenge together,” Marketing Director Shan Burklow smiles, “The County Mayors have been such good sports throughout this whole process. We appreciate the local businesses that have partnered with the Weight Loss Challenge to offer discounts and prizes for the participants. We are very optimistic for the community support and hope that anyone who has weight to lose will come out and lose it together. Although scales will be used to monitor everyone’s progress monthly, your weight will be confidential and unseen by the public. Percentages will be the method we use to communicate your overall loss as an individual or team. We are happy to have several churches and civic organizations interested in signing up as a team. Come one…come all…the more the merrier!”

Both counties have 90 days to lose all the collective weight they can. Cash prizes will be awarded to the highest percentage of body weight in each age category – male and female. So, put down that doughnut and grab a Yoplait! It’s time for the Weight Loss Challenge…do it for yourself…or do it for Mike….either way, it’s a WIN!

Sign-up sheets are available at the DeKalb County Complex, Subway, Smithville-DeKalb Chamber, DeKalb Community Hospital, Cannon Co. Chamber and Stones River Hospital. For more information on the weight loss challenge, go to www.dekalbcommunityhospital.com or contact Shan Burklow (615) 215-5448 or by email sburklow@dchtn.com