CHALLENGES

YOU TO BE THE

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions:

1. Why is there a $25 fee to enter?
2. Why do I need to come to the Initial Weigh In?
3. Do I have to join a gym or use a personal trainer?
4. Who will see my weight on the scale?
5. When will the Grand Prize Winners be announced and awarded?
6. Do I have to register online?
7. What if I miss a weigh in?
8. What if a team member has to drop out of the challenge?
9. When will the Finale be held?
10. Will my picture be published in the newspaper?
11. Why should people enter the contest?
12. Why is it important to have accountability while trying to lose weight?
13. Do I have to have a team before registering?
14. Is there a place in Richmond to weigh in?
15. Is attendance at the Initial Weigh In mandatory?
16. Do I have to be "overweight" to participate?
17. How is the % Lost calculated for the teams?
18. Is my team disqualified from winning if one team member misses more than two weigh ins?
19. What if my question isn't answered here?

1. Why is there a $25 fee to enter?

Answer:

#1. You make the financial investment and you will stick with it to the end.

#2. To grow the $$$$$PRIZE FUND$$$$$!!!!!!

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2. Why do I need to come to the Initial Weigh In?

Answer:

1. You should pick up your Biggest Loser Card so you can get the discounts at sponsor gyms.
2. You need to sign up for a weigh in time that is convenient for you.
3. T-shirts available to order for you and your teammate(s).
4. Information available onsite for safe weight loss and nutrtional needs.
5. Come to check out your competition and meet the staff.

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3. Do I have to join a gym or use a personal trainer?

Answer:

No, but it is recommended. You are free to use any and every activity you choose to increase your daily physical activity level. Walking, hiking, swimming, weight training, dancing, bicycling, are just a few examples to get you moving. Using gyms or personal trainers are simply other options, not requirements. Do what works for you, and what you like to do. The goal is to change your lifestyle for your health and your enjoyment.

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4. Who will see my weight on the scale?

Answer:

You and the one staff member who will be recording your weight. You will be assigned a participant number that will remain confidential at all times. The RESULTS page will have participant numbers only posted with the weekly weights and weight loss percentages. Team weight loss percentages will be posted as well, so keep that in mind when choosing your team name.

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6. When will the Grand Prize Winners be announced and awarded?

Answer:

Grand Prize Winners -- Top 2 Teams and Top Male and Female individuals -- will be announced at the Finale, April 25, 2009 after the final weigh in of every participant. Cash prizes awarded at that time.

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7. Do I have to register online?

Answer:

No. You may register at the Initial Weigh In with $25 cash in hand. Online registration is suggested to guarantee your participation in this event. Online registration ends Friday, January 30, 2009 at 9pm.

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8. What if I miss a weigh in?

Answer:

You may miss 2 weigh ins within the 12 week challenge and still qualify to win the Grand Prize(s). However, if you miss more than 2 weigh ins, you are encouraged to continue in the challenge anyway.

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9. What if a team member has to drop out of the challenge?

Answer:

The team may remain in the challenge for the duration even though short 1 member, however, that member's weight and previous weight losses will still be calcuated as part of the continuing team's numbers. Team will still qualify to win Grand Prize but the remaining team members will have to increase their individual weight losses to stay competitive. Individual team members will also still qualify to win the Individual Grand Prize for Top Male or Top Female Loser.

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10. When will the Finale be held?

Answer:

Finale will be at 2pm on April 25th, location to be announced prior to Finale.

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11. Will my picture be published in the paper?

Answer:

The individual weigh in pictures are not intended for publication, but pictures may also be taken during the Challenge.

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12. Why should people enter the contest??

Answer:

The premise behind the original Biggest Loser is to change your eating habits and physical activity levels to acheive a healthier lifestyle. Competition is a great motivator and the small $25 investment can pay off in multiple ways. There will be several raffles at the kickoff event for free personal fitness training, discounts from local gyms and trainers, and a cash prize at the end

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13. Why is it important to have accountability while trying to lose weight??

Answer:

Accountability is import to help you follow through with any long term goals. Quitting is more difficult when you know people are counting on you, and much easier if you know that no one is watching. Friendly support is an added benefit of accountability within the teams.

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14. Do I have to have a team before registering?

Answer:

No, single participants are encouraged to register. Anyone that needs a team will assigned to a team that needs another member.

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15. Is there a place in Richmond to weigh in?

Answer:

The Richmond Athletic Club has agreed to host weigh ins on Saturday mornings between 10am and 12 noon.

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16. Is attendance at the Initial Weigh In mandatory?

Answer:

The Initial Weigh In is the time and place to get your initial weight, an information packet about the Challenge, and signup for raffles that will be drawn that afternoon.

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17. Do I have to be "overweight" to participate?

Answer:

No. The National Institute of Health defines someone as being overweight if their Body Mass Index is over 24. However, one of the goals of the Biggest Loser of Madison County Challenge is to educate people on making healthy lifestyle choices. With that in mind, you can participate if you would like help getting started on the right track to a healthier lifestyle. For your convenience, we have provided the NIH BMI Chart.

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18. How is the % Lost calculated for the teams?

Answer:

The teams are treated as an individual when it comes to calculating the percentage of weight loss. That is to say that the participants individual percentages are not just added up. The total weight of the team is used in the calculations. There are two different starting weights that are used -- one for the overall and one for the weekly weight loss -- but the same principle is used for both. The team's total weight is calculated for the starting weight (SW) and the current week (CW). The current week's weight is then subtracted from the starting weight (SW - CW). This is done so that weight loss will show as a positive number. Then that number is divided by the starting weight ((SW - CW) / SW)). That result is then multiplied by 100 to get a "percentage" value instead of just the decimal format.

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19. Is my team disqualified from winning if one team member misses more than two weigh ins?

No, a team is not disqualified if one or more team members miss more than two weigh ins. According to the rules, that person is disqualified from winning the cash prize. In the event that the winning team has a member that fails to make the required number of weigh ins, the prize will be distributed among the remaining team members.

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20. What if my question isn't answered here?

Answer:

We have provided a question/comments form for any questions or comments you may have regarding the Biggest Loser of Madison County Challenge. We will answer your questions as quickly as possible.

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