Scale Back Alabama kicks off at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital on Saturday, Jan. 19 with team weigh-ins from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wellness Center.

Team weigh-ins continue Monday, Jan. 21 through Friday, Jan. 25 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This is the seventh year that BWWMH has joined other Alabama hospitals and the Alabama Department of Public Health in challenging overweight Alabamians to make a New Year’s resolution to scale back.

The 10-week program includes weight-loss classes and a healthy competition among teams of four people who hold each other accountable for “sticking to” their diets and exercise routines.

With thousands of dollars up for grabs in the statewide contest, competition will be fierce. For every team member who completes the contest and loses at least 10 pounds, his or her name will be placed in a drawing for one of 50 state prizes of $100 each. For every team that completes the 10-week program, with each team member losing at least 10 pounds, the team name will be placed in a drawing for one of three grand prizes. The first team drawn will win $250 per team member, the second team drawn will win $500 each and the third team drawn will win $1,000 each. And, for everyone who loses at least one pound and weighs out, there will be a drawing for five participation prizes of $50 each.

Weekly meetings will be held each Tuesday during the 10 weeks at noon for hospital employees and again at 6 p.m. for employees and the general public. Meetings will be brief, no longer than 30 minutes.

For more information, call (334) 287-2613.