Initial weigh-ins are underway for the Scottsbluff Star-Herald’s 3rd-annual Wyobraska Get Fit Challenge weight-loss contest…co-sponsored by 5 area health care providers: Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Monument Physical Therapy in Gering, North Platte Physical Therapy in Torrington, Garden County Health Services in Oshkosh, and Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport.

The Challenge is a 12-week competition among 2-person teams with a total prize pool of over $3,000…$1,000 for the winning top team and $500, $250, $150, and $100 through 5th place. Individual male and female winners will be named, and the community with the winning team will also receive a $1,000 donation.

Box Butte General Hospital Wellness Coordinator Dan Newhoff says the Get Fit Challenge is a fun and fair competition with few rules that emphasizes the benefits of wellness for people of all ages and body types.

The first weigh-ins were held Saturday at the Get Fit Challenge Health Fair in Gering, with the others this week at the co-sponsors…including Jan. 8 in Alliance at Box Butte General from 5-7:30.

There is a $50 per team fee at weigh-in for those that didn’t pre-register. The participants in last year’s Get Fit Challenge lost 2,426 pounds