Fattest to Fittest nearing finishing line

Teams participating in Yuma's community weight-loss challenge head to the scales for the final time this week.

After losing several tons so far, the 900-plus people in Fattest to Fittest: Yuma vs. Yakima Weight Loss Challenge are barreling toward the Dec. 19 finish line.

That's when everyone finds out if Yuma's official team managed to lose more weight than the competing team in Yakima, Wash.

It will also be announced which community team in Yuma managed to shed the highest percentage of weight.

The winning community team from Yuma will receive $1,000 to give to their favorite charity. The prize was donated to the weight-loss challenge by the Yuma Regional Medical Center Foundation.

The final weigh-in for team members is slated for Friday, Dec. 18, and Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Yuma YMCA, 2550 S. 4th Ave.

Friday's event is 5:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., while Saturday's will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Team members who originally weighed in on a Friday should participate on Friday and vice versa with teams who weighed in on a Saturday.

Team members are also reminded about a secondary challenge inspired by Fattest to Fittest. A community team has challenged everyone to donate at least one item of nonperishable food for each pound lost.

The food will be donated to the Yuma Community Food Bank, which will have a truck at the YMCA to collect donations.

Team members with questions should call Kay Paiz at 539-6843 or send e-mail to kpaiz@yumasun. com.

Fattest to Fittest kicked off on Oct. 24. Sponsors are the Yuma Sun, Valley of the Sun YMCA, the YRMC Foundation, Coca-Cola, Nature's Express and Club Yuma.