The Athletic Club has set a goal to get 100 people to lose 1,000lbs with $2,000 up for grabs for the team that wins the first Thinner Winner Contest.The deadline for entries is 9pm tonight for the six-week challenge set to be launched on Saturday and culminating with a Finale Party on November 1 in Victoria Park.Already 12 teams have signed up to participate, organisers are looking for at least 20 teams of four to six people that must include at least two non-gym members.The team that loses the greatest percentage of inches and weight walks away with $2,000 in winnings.The programme includes weekly weigh-ins, group works outs, power walking sessions, increased strength endurance training with effective food plans.Sign-up fees vary and includes full use of the gym facilities, classes and spa.With cash prizes up for grabs gym owner Kym Herron Scott said the Winner Thinner Contest has generated “loads of enquiries and interest”.“People realise the deadline is Thursday so they’re currently putting teams together, 12 teams have confirmed to date; we can handle approximately 20 teams.“This is our first Thinner Winner and we hope to make this an annual event.”City motorists may have noticed the road boards promoting the event on East Broadway this week to help boost interest. There’s also a banner posted outside Victoria Park in Hamilton.With 40 percent of Bermuda’s population considered obese she said the broader aim is to “motivate the masses” to get in shape.“Only 15 percent of our nation’s workforce reports to be active on a regular basis,” said Ms Herron Scott.“Bermuda is 40% obese! The Thinner Winner programme offers variety, fun and real results!“Another 63 percent desires to be active but cites lack of time or resources as a reason not to be fit.“We can motivate these people and thanks to our sponsors are able to keep the costs down to a minimum.“It is our goal to get 100 people because the more we have the better chance we have of meeting our goal of 1000lbs weight/inches lost.”A spin-off from their ever-popular Corporate Fit Challenge, the Thinner Winner Contest is a community-based programme.Individuals, groups and teams will spend the next six weeks working together, with a personal coach, to drop excess weight together.Special workouts will be held with qualified trainers that include MetaFit, Zumba and Tabata circuit based trainings.Weekly Power Walking Sessions with Power Walking champion Sinclair Smith, will also be offered.As part of the package, participants will have full access to The Athletic Club including classes and use of their spa during the programme.In addition to the extra food guides provided, there’ll be weekly rountable discussions on healthy nutrition, menus and tips on how to improve eating plans.These sessions will be open to the community, for a nominal fee, on Saturdays at 11.30am.The entry fee is $139 for The Athletic Club members, $279 for non-members and $1,000 for corporate teams. Each team must have at least two non-members to compete.The contest is being sponsored by the City of Hamilton along with Attride-Stirling and Woloniecki, OIL, Buzz and DHL.“We are honoured to help shape up Bermuda, it’s a win-win situation,” said Ms Herron Scott.“The challenge helps reduce healthcare costs, improves work productivity and creates happier, healthier Bermudians.”There will be weekly public work out sessions in Victoria Park over the next six weeks on Thursday evenings at 6pm with highly qualified trainers.Power walking sessions will take place on Mondays at 12.30pm and on Saturdays at 8am, leaving from the Athletic Club.Said Ms Herron Scott: “Whatever participants need, we will be there to push and guide them along, showing them the way.“A Coach will meet up with each team regularly and a full food guide of several options for meal planning is available.“As an extra feature, chef Nicole Rozon, lifestyle coach and personal trainer, will be providing nutritional seminars on Saturdays for a nominal fee. Everyone can come to these sessions whether on the programme or not, however, we do ask for preregistration.”The kick off on Saturday at Victoria Park starts at 4pm.The first 100 people to arrive will receive shirts, water bottles and goodie bags.“We will do confidential weigh ins and measurements and team photos,” said Ms Herron Scott.She urged residents to come prepared to do a short workout session together to boost fitness levels.For more information call 295-6140, or e-mail admin.tac@logic.bm, or visit TAC on Facebook.