The Rules:

The Rules:

1. The official start of the competition is Wednesday, September 1st and will go for 12 weeks ending on Wednesday, November 24. You can look great just before the holidays!!! Entry form and fee must be received (in person/by mail) no later than Monday, August 30, 2010. A check for $30 per contestant must be made out to Melissa Van Dam and submitted with the entry form. Contestants will set a realistic target weight loss goal for themselves (10 lbs, 15 lbs, 20 lbs, whatever). You are encouraged to set your goal as high as possible, but it MUST be at least 5% of your current total body weight.

2. There will be weekly weigh-ins and these will be on Wednesday mornings. You may use whatever scale you have in your home for the weigh-ins, but you must use the same scale throughout the competition.

3. If a contestant loses weight during the weekly weigh-in or maintains their current weight, the contestant is free and clear that week. However, if a contestant GAINS weight for the week, they owe a $2 penalty fee that will go into the overall winning pot.

4. Each contestant will receive a "Piggy Pass" that may be used at anytime during the 12 week competition. This pass can be used if the contestant gains weight for the week and the contestant will owe no penalty fee.

5. Weekly weigh-ins must be given via email mvandam@allcom.net or text/phone call 616-437-5930 to the Gatekeeper by noon EVERY Wednesday. If the weigh-in is not communicated by noon on Wednesday, the Gatekeeper will automatically use the contestant's Piggy Pass. If the Piggy Pass has already been used, a penalty fee of $3will be assessed to that contestant.

6. The original weight of the contestant will remain confidential and will only be shared with the Gatekeeper. Results during the competition will only show if the contestant gained or lost weight for the week.

7. Winning the competition - Contestants will pay an entry fee of $30. If the target weight loss goal is met, the contestant will receive back $20. If the target weight loss goal is not met, the entire entry fee will go into the winning pot. If we reach our goal of 20 or more contestants we will pay out the top three spots. First place will receive 60% of the pot, 2nd place will receive 30% of the pot and the third place will receive 10% of the pot. If we have 10 or more contestants we will pay out the top 2 spots. 80% to first place and 20% to second place. If we have less than 10 contestants there will only be one big winner! The winning contestant(s) that loses the the highest PERCENTAGE of body weight during the contest wins whatever is in the pot at the end of the competition (plus fees & lost entries). In case of a tie for the highest percentage of body weight lost, the contestant with the fewest weekly "fines" would win the tiebreaker. If the contestants have an equal number of fines, they will split the pot.

That's it!

Please email me or call me if you have questions. [mvandam@allcom.net or 616-688-5194]. This is a fun and friendly competition (although there might be some trash talking from time to time!) and we're all very supportive of each other (for the most part! Ha!)

We are hoping to have at least 20 people join this fun competition so spread the word. Please remember to check this blog out weekly for updates on your competition!

Good luck! And may the BIGGEST LOSER win!!!