The first weigh-in of the 2015 Pound Plunge took place Wednesday at the St. Joseph REC Center with nearly 1500 people signed up.

“12 weeks of having fun, losing weight, getting fit, looking good and getting in your skinny jeans,” said Gregg Lynn, KJO 105.5 program director.

Lynn said the idea to hold Pound Plunge started 10-years-ago when the Biggest Loser had just come out on TV.

“We came up with this idea that we should do some sort of weight-loss competition and we partnered with Heartland at the time, now Mosaic” said Lynn.  “We were hoping we’d get 100 people, we were praying we’d have a 100 people and we had 1200 show up.”

KJO 105.5 partnered with Heartland to host the Pound Plunge, since then Lynn said the program continues to have more than 1200 participate every year.

2015 Pound Plunge Participant Betty Akard said it’s her first time taking part in the program.

“I’m looking forward to the different activities that it will allow me to experience and also give me the accountability to weigh-in,” said Akard.

Over the next 12 weeks Plungers will be taking part in weekly weigh-ins as they work to lose excess weight and get physically fit.

“It takes about 12 weeks for somebody’s habits to really form,” said Lynn. “So we figure give you 12 weeks of starting to do things the right way, do a little exercise, eat a little better.”

Mosaic Life Care is also providing resources to help Plungers improve their heath during the program.

The Pound Plunge celebration is scheduled for April 8 at the St. Joseph Rec Center.  The Plungers who have lost the most weight in different categories will be announced and recognized.  Prizes will also be awarded.