“Heartland Health presents the KJO 105.5 Pound Plunge” held its kickoff and initial weigh-in Tuesday, drawing about two thousand people to the East Hills Mall.  Organizers say a total of  just over ten thousand people have lost an estimated total of 65,000 pounds in past years of the health promotion.

Teams of four, and individuals, compete to lose the greatest percentage of their body weight. A total of 325 teams had signed up by Tuesday. Thirty-two companies are represented in the Corporate Team category, a new addition this year.

Participants will return to the scales  each week up until the final weigh-in April 3rd.

In the meantime, co-sponsors will offer some help shedding those pounds. The East Hills Shopping Center, St Joseph YMCA and Performance Plus Rehabilitation will host free wellness events each week. Heartland’s Wellness Connections will offer healthy cooking demonstrations at East Hills during February.

Find more information here.