NIBROC weight loss event kicks off Saturday; $1,000 cash prize to winner

In an effort to make Corbin "the healthiest community in Kentucky," local government organizations and a major health care provider are teaming up for a three and a half month long weight loss competition, the winner of which will be decided at this year’s NIBROC Festival.

"NIBROC: Just Lose It" is being organized and sponsored by the City of Corbin, the Southern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Baptist Regional Medical Center and Cumberland Healthcare Inc. as a response to an epidemic of obesity locally. The competition begins this Saturday with an official first weigh-in at the Corbin Recycling Center, next to City Hall. Anyone can enter. The cost is $10.

Corbin City Commissioner Joe Shelton, a local physician’s assistant who has made health and improved recreation facilities in Corbin a priority during his time on the commission, came up with the idea as a way to fight a problem he sees every day with his patients.

"I work in the healthcare field and I see people every day who are struggling with their weight," Shelton said. "I’d simply like to see people in our area become healthier. I think this is a great way to use NIBROC to do that."

Participants have significant financial incentive to get healthy. Besides the thrill of victory and a healthier outlook on life, whoever loses the most weight, by percentage of total starting body weight, at the end of the competition will be rewarded $1,000.

Corbin City Clerk Erin Blount, a principal organizer of "NIBROC: Just Lose It" said the city, BRMC and Cumberland Healthcare have all donated $500 each to the competition. Each participant will get a t-shirt for taking part.

Weigh-ins will be held every two weeks at the Recycling Center to track the progress of contestants. Blount said weights of those who take part would be kept confidential with the exception of the final overall winner, whose initial weight and end weight will be announced at the main stage the Saturday of NIBROC on Aug 13.

"We’ve had a ton of calls about it," Blount said. "I hope everybody does it. This all started as just an idea to come up with something new for NIBROC, and I think it’s going to be a big benefit to the community."

Blount said smaller prizes would be given throughout the competition for those who lose the most weight at the biweekly weigh-ins. Also, other prizes will be awarded to some individuals seen around town exercising in their competition t-shirt.
Plans also include communication with participants through an email list, offering special recipes, health tips and updates on the competition.

Blount said the only restriction in the competition is that no one that has had weight loss surgery is allowed to compete.
Shelton said he hopes the end result of the competition is that it will put many people on the path of a healthier lifestyle long after it is over.

"Our big push right now is for Corbin to become healthier. You’ve got to start somewhere," he said. "I think we will get a lot of interest in this. If it gets people to be more physically active, gets them off the couch and out from in front of the TV, then it will be $1,000 well spent."

Blount said she’s hoping to have a small health fair of sorts at the initial weigh-in where people can have their blood pressure checked, as well as undergo some basic health screenings.