Roger Shultz, a finalist on the Biggest Loser Couples Show last year, is serving as the chief coach for the 2009 Scale Back Alabama competition. 

With a goal of losing half a million pounds statewide, the contest kicks off the week of Jan. 10 – 16, and teams of four may register to participate at any of the public weigh-in sites listed online at scalebackalabama.com. 

Shultz will be encouraging participants via the Web site, sharing tips from his own personal weight-loss success.

“Locally, people can weigh-in at Pioneer Electric’s Greenville office,” said Angela Green, Pioneer Electric’s Communications Specialist. “The hours for weigh-ins will be from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and teams must come together to sign up and have their official beginning weight recorded. The contest is designed for adults age 18 and older, and it’s free. Plus, every individual who completes the 10-week contest and loses at least 10 pounds will be placed in a drawing for cash prizes.”

The annual statewide weight-loss competition is an attempt to encourage Alabamians to eat better and to exercise more. 

It is sponsored by Alabama’s hospitals and the Alabama Department of Public Health, with generous underwriting from Barber’s Dairies and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.

“Alabama is currently listed as the third most obese state in the nation, and there are numerous health problems directly correlated to obesity,” said Green. “We hope our community responds to the call to participate and becomes part of the half a million pounds lost.  It would certainly be a terrific way to start the new year.”

The public is invited to come to a kick off celebration for Butler County Thursday, January 8, 2009 at the Greenville YMCA at 1:30 p.m. where more information will be handed out about local participation.

Additional information about the contest, including the guidelines for participation and the list of public weigh-in sites, may be found at scalebackalabama.com.