Pounds for Cash

Nearly 100 people have found a way to simultaneously help a good cause, shed unwanted pounds and lighten wallets: "Pounds for Cash."

It was all Michael Clayton's idea, as a way to help people improve their health while raising money for The American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life fundraiser.

Clayton, of Yuba City, admits he ripped off the weight-loss idea from one of his favorite TV shows. As he wrote in the introduction pamphlet for Pounds for Cash, his awareness of the extent of the obesity epidemic struck him last year during his training to become a registered nurse: "... it was (this awareness), along with the fact that I am fat — I like that word better than obese — and my love for the 'The Biggest Loser' that I came up with this idea to have a competition where we can lose pounds and raise funds for Relay for Life."

He told the approximately 70 people who came to kick-off this year's Pounds for Cash event at the Yuba City Racquet and Health Club on a recent rainy Friday night that last year's program was just a trial run and was a success, even though only eight of the 25 people who started made it to the finish line.

Clayton said the biggest difference this year is the length of time the program will run: six months instead of two months.

Christy Reyes, Clayton's Pounds for Cash co-chair, said there are also a lot more prizes this year. She said that the racquet club alone has promised at least $10,000 worth of prizes, and that additional prizes could be added as the contest goes on.

Pounds for Cash had its first weigh-in on Jan. 2; its last weigh-in will be June 13 during Relay for Life.

Prior to the kick-off, 60 people had signed up to participate. Reyes said those people have a combined weight of 12,283.2 pounds, which means they could lose more than 1,600 pounds, or more than a 10 times what was lost last year. She said another number the group is sure to top is the $3,400 the contest raised in 2008.

The contest is simple, but choosing the winner is a little complicated. Clayton said the grand prize winner, who will be named at the final weigh-in, must lose weight, raise money and complete the twice-monthly physical fitness tests.

He said the physical fitness tests include challenges that will be held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month through June at various locations around the Yuba-Sutter area. Reyes said that every time a participant takes part in one of these challenges, he or she will have the opportunity to select a sealed envelope, which contains a bonus that would count toward his or her body weight percentage. Reyes said other prizes will also be awarded at the challenges.

Becky Ray, membership director for YCRHC, said the fitness club will donate $100 to Relay for Life for each Pounds for Cash participant who signs up in January or February, $50 for each person who signs up in March or April and $25 for each person who signs up in May or June.

Dana Brazelton and her husband, Wayne, of Marysville were two of the people who attended the Pounds for Cash kick-off. Dana said she's taking part in the program because, "I need a little push to meet my weight goals." She said she also wanted to get her husband involved.

He said he came out because he wanted to test drive the YCRHC facilities and lose weight before they go on a trip to New Zealand and Australia they are planning.

Participants are also encouraged to form five-person teams to compete for points to get their names on the perpetual trophy, and as a way to encourage each other to complete the competition.

To get started in the competition, contact Beth McLean-Tortosa, YCRHC's fitness director, by calling 673-6900, ext. 207, or by e-mail at Beth@ycrc.com, to set up an appointment to be weighed and measured.

For further information, call Mike Clayton at 788-8872 or Christy Reyes at 218-2022, or e-mail them at pounds4cash @comcast.net.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter John Hollis at 741-2400 or jhollis@appeal-democrat.com.