Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team (CAT)

Okay, you can win some (money, that is) and you lose some (pounds, that is) if you are part of this contest. My goal is to promote healthier lifestyles, prevent illness and better manage chronic diseases in the Long Beach area with this contest that focuses on weight control and camaraderie. Do you want to be fit or fat? You've got nothing to lose, but a few pounds. So, put your money where your mouth is, and let's take it off! -Justin Rudd!

What is the "Long Beach Losers Team Challenge?"

1. 2011 LONG BEACH LOSERS STATS 4 $43,000 jackpot 4 800+ participants 4 160 teams of five

   A 12-week weight-loss/wellness competition organized by Long Beach advocate and fitness expert Justin Rudd and sponsored by his nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT).
2. The challenge will begin with a weigh-in on Wed., Aug. 22, 2012, 6-9 a.m. and 5-8 p.m.  Each person will also weigh-in each Wed. during the contest period.
3. Teams of five people compete to lose the highest percentage of weight - not necessarily the amount of weight - during the competition. (i.e. starting weight of 220 lbs. and ending weight of 200 lbs. would be a loss of 9% body weight)
4. Cash prizes (based on number of participants) will be disbursed to the top teams and individuals at the end of the 12 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION: Can I miss the very first weigh-in or another weigh-in? 
ANSWER: We understand that there are several great reasons someone might need to miss a certain weigh-ins, including unexpected reasons. We do not mind a miss or two. The rules are the same as the past four years, and state that there is a $5 additional penalty for missing a weigh-in for any reason. The contest does not waive fees for missed weigh-ins, even if known in advance. All penalty fees go straight to the jackpot.

QUESTION: I do not have a team. Can I still register for the contest?
ANSWER: Yes, you can register without having a team. Just pick "I need a team." from the Registered Team drop-down list when you register.  Other registered participants who need teams and registered team captains (who have already registered a participants) for teams who need additional team members will be able to see your contact information.  You can then talk to the other registered participants or contact a team captain to see if you can join his/her team.

QUESTION: I did not have a team when I registered, so I chose "I need a team."  I have found a team now.  How do I update my team? 
ANSWER: Once the log-in page goes live, you will need to go to the "Join Team" page after you log in.  You can then choose the registered team and submit a request to join the team.  At that time, the team captain needs to log in and approve or deny your request.  If you request is denied, you will return to the "I need a team." list.

QUESTION: I registered as a participant online.  What do I do now?
ANSWER: After the log-in page goes live, you will need to log in, review your application, update it if needed, and print a copy of the application.  You need to bring the printed copy to your first weigh-in for the quickest processing.  Otherwise, you will need to fill out a paper form when you get there before we can weigh you in.

QUESTION:How do I qualify for the bonus 1-pound weight loss credit?
ANSWER: If you pay $65 in cash, by check, or PayPal at your **first weigh-in** during the first 4 weeks, you will be eligible for a extra 1-pound weight loss credit to be applied at the end, provided that your account is paid in full. Otherwise, your last paid-up weight without the bonus 1-pound weight loss credit will be used for the overall calculations.  If you pay the $65 by PayPal, please make sure that you include youre registered Participant ID and your registered email to ensure that the payment is applied to the correct account once Justin has forwarded the confirmation email to a volunteer for entry.

QUESTION: Can I pay by check or PayPal?
ANSWER: All fees must be paid in exact cash.  The only exception is if you pay the $65 weigh-in fees on or before your first weigh-in during the first 4 weeks of the contest.

QUESTION: I can no longer continue with the contest.  Can I get a refund?  Can I transfer my payments to my teammate's account?
ANSWER: No, all fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

QUESTION: I am a team captain for a team.  What do I need to do?
ANSWER: You need to register your team name and obtain a Team ID.  If your team has not decided on a name yet, you can put "No Name Yet" in the Team Name field and update it later.  All teams must have a Team ID before team members, including the team captain, can register as participants.  You need to give the Team ID to your team members in order for them to know which registered team they should pick when they register as participants.  You also need to register as a participant.

QUESTION: I am a team captain who has already registered my team name.  Do I need to register as a participant?
ANSWER: Yes, all participants must register and have his/her own Participant ID.

QUESTION: I am a registered team captain and see that I am the only confirmed member on my team.  What do I need to do? 
ANSWER: Once the log-in page goes live, you will need to log in and go to the "View Team Info" page.  If you have pending team membership requests, you will see the participant's information along with buttons to accept or deny the request.  If you accept the request, the participant becomes a confirmed member of your team and can then see information for other confirmed members of the team.  If you deny the request, the participant returns to the "I need a team." queue.

QUESTION: I am a registered team captain who has logged on, but I do not see requests for membership from all the expected team members.  What should I do?
ANSWER: You should check with your team members and make sure that EACH member has registered. Also, make sure that they chose the correct registered team.  If they accidentally selected the wrong registered team, they will be able to log on and change their registered team as long as they are not already confirmed members of other teams.

QUESTION: What is a QR code? Where do I get one?
ANSWER: A QR (Quick Response) code is a special type of 2D barcode that smartphones and other mobile devices can use. It is important that you register yourself as a participant since a unique QR code is assigned to each participant. It appears at the upper right-hand corner of the printed application form. If you have a camera-enabled device, you can take a picture of it and show it to the volunteers each week.  Alternatively, you can request a QR card to be picked up at your second weigh-in or print one yourself.  Make sure that you have included your name, Participant ID, and the QR code if you take a picture.  We will not be scanning them this year. 

Full list of rules are below.

How does it work?

1. Each team member must weigh in each Wed. from 6-9 a.m. or 5-8 p.m. Weigh-in usually takes about 2 minutes, depending on the number of people in line. Weigh-ins are private. Location: Belmont Athletic Club, 4918 E 2nd St., Belmont Shore, 90803 (across from Jamba Juice). MAP and pay $5 (cash only) per week to remain in the competition. You do NOT have to weigh-in with your teammates.
   
2. Bring your first and final 7 week's $5 ($40 total in cash or check) to the first weigh-in. We will accept cash or checks only at the initial weigh-in. Alternatively, you may pre-pay the entire $65 up front by cash or check.
3. A participant can only be on one team.
4. For every pound (or any fraction thereof) gained, as of the previous week's weigh-in, the person must pay $2 (i.e. if you gained 1.2 lbs. since the last weigh-in, you'll owe $4).
5. If your weight stays the same from week to week, you'll owe $2/week. The purpose of the contest is to lose, not stay the same. So, be sure to lose at least a 1/2 pound each week.
   
6. Cash prizes are distributed at the end of the competition to the top teams and individual losers based on percentages. (Except for 20% of all funds received that will go to the nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team (CAT) who administers this contest, all fees collected from team members are distributed to the winning teams and individuals in the end.)

Why will it be successful?

1. Team effort motivates participants to stay focused on losing weight through diet and exercise.
2. Cash prizes motivate participants to remain competitive throughout the 12-week program.
3. Team members choose their own diet and exercise program.

Who can join the contest?

1. Any business, civic organization, church, or individual may form a five-person team.
2. Basically, it's $65 for this contest (13 weigh-ins at $5 each). At the initial weigh-in, you must pay $40 by check or cash (includes the initial and final six weigh-ins). If you choose that route, all subsequent payments ($5/week for weeks 1-7), must be paid in cash. Or, WE HIGHLY SUGGEST you pay the entire $65 by check or cash at the initial weigh-in.
3. Anyone who wants to lose weight (at least 12 lbs.) may participate - youth and adults.
4. Please form your own 5-person team. We can help you find teammates. You must start the contest as a team of five. We can assign you to a team and can share our list of those looking for teammates, upon request.
5. Event organizers may choose to not allow some folks to be in the contest, if they feel the person does not need to lose weight (i.e. too thin, pregnant).

What are the benefits of the Long Beach Losers program?

1. Weight loss and regular exercise lead to better health.
2. Team competition promotes camaraderie, encouragement, accountability and motivation among team members and others.
3. Healthier people have less medical expenses, which may decrease health insurance premiums.
4. Weight loss leads to more energy, increased productivity, and higher self esteem.

How do teams register?

1. Form a team of 5 people. Any individual may join any team. Those under age 18 are welcome, too, with parental permission. (If you need help finding teammates, post a note at www.facebook.com/LongBeachLosers)
   
2. Teammates DO NOT have to live in Long Beach.
3. Choose a unique name (i.e. Defeat De-fat, Inch Busters, Big Butts R Us, Profit & Loss, Diet Divas, Shrinking Assets, Waist Warriors, Jelly Bellys, Honey Buns, Big Daddies).
4. Register your team name here: click
5. Participants should attend the initial weigh-in sessions (times to be announced) on Wed., Aug. 22, 2012 at the Belmont Athletic Club 2nd St. in Belmont Shore. Bring your signed registration/liability form near the top of this page (available soon). Forms also available at the event. ENCOURAGED: You can also pay the full $65 up front.
6. In some instances, teams and individuals will be allowed to join the contest after the initial weigh-in date.
7. We will share only your teammates' names and email addresses with all your teammates.
8. We will add your email address to our database, and all correspondance will be via email. Typically, we send a weekly e-newsletter with weekly team results. You can unsubscribe at any time.

What are the rules?

1. ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE MAKING ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO YOUR DIETARY HABITS OR YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ROUTINES.
2. No refunds, for any reason (including unexpected surgery or death in the family).
3. Weigh-ins are private and confidential. We will only publicly share the percentages of weight loss of the team.
4. All participants will weigh in every Wed.. at the Belmont Athletic Club. There are no alternative weigh-in locations, days or times during the contest. See Rule 20.
5. Participants should attend the initial weigh-in.
6. No disrobing or loading up allowed during weigh-ins. Remove heavy watches, belts, wallets, etc. before stepping on the scale.
7. T-shirts and shorts are recommended for weigh-ins. No shoes during weigh-ins, except medical reasons. We do provide a paper towel, if you want to step on that on top of our scale. You are required to weigh in at the final weigh-in wearing basically what you wore to the initial weigh-in. We have made notations like "with shoes" or "with jeans" in our notes. (For example, if you weighed in with shoes at the initial weigh-in, you must weigh in with shoes on the final weigh-in.)
8. No measurements will be taken.
9. Healthy eating and exercise are encouraged.
10. No weight-loss surgeries during the 12-week contest, or within the two weeks prior to the start of the contest.
11. Drastic weight loss (over 5 lbs./week) is discouraged.
12. The max. weight loss (recorded) for the final weigh-in is 10 lbs. If the scale reads more than 10 lbs. of loss, we will record only 10 lbs. for your loss. Why? That kind of weight loss per week is not healthy.
13. No sabotaging other teams.
14. Everyone must weigh-in weekly (on Wednesdays only, regardless of the excuse) or a $5 fine will be added, per week, in addition to that week's $5 weigh-in. Basically, if you have to miss a weigh-in., simply bring $15 the next week ($5 for the missed week's weigh-in, $5 for the fine, $5 for current week's weigh-in).
15. If you miss a weigh-in one week, your previous week's weight will be recorded for the missed week (i.e. zero weight loss for that week).  
    
16. Weigh-ins may take place with or without other teammates.
17. Feel free to bring a notebook of your own to record your weekly weight fluctuations.
18. Weigh-ins after the initial weigh-in may not take place any other times, days, or locations than those listed above.
19. Weekly, average team weight-loss percentages - not participants' weights - for some of the weeks will be posted at www.JustinRudd.com/loser.html and may appear in local media.
20. NEW Results for the final six weigh-ins will not be posted publicly.
21. Can accomodate up to 550 lb. person. We use a $440 digital commercial/medical scale with a max. 440 lbs. However, scales inside the Belmont Athletic Club's men's locker room go to 550 lbs. and will be used when necessary.
22. See "drop out" and "how to win" rules below.
23. We will add your email address to our distribution list and stay in touch with you about this contest via email.
24. We can NOT adjust a woman's weight if she is in her monthly cycle.
25. It is up to each team member to regularly check his/her email to read the weekly updates from the contest organizers.
26. Any account conflicts regarding weight or payment should be made to Justin@JustinRudd.com only, and immediately. There is no alternative. Alerting a weigh-in volunteer is not acceptable.
27. GUIDELINES:
    ·  NEW! I understand that there is a 10-pound weight loss credit cap for the final weigh-in.
    ·  I understand that the final results will be based on my last paid up weight and those of my teammates.
    ·  I understand that at least 3 original members of my team must be paid in full and still be in the contest in order for the team to be eligible for a team prize.
    · I understand that I must pick up my registration card at my first weigh-in and bring it every week. An acceptable alternative is saving my scannable QR code image on an electronic device.
    ·  NEW! If my QR code image is not scanned by the end of the official end time, I owe a $4 late arrival penalty.
    · I understand that once my weight has been recorded, there is no do-over. I must empty my pockets of keys, phones, and other paraphernalia before I get on the scale.
    ·  I understand and agree to pay all of the fees associated with the contest.
    ·  I have consulted my doctor or another medical professional before starting a diet and exercise regimen.
    · I only have until 9 PM on the day of the weigh-in to dispute something that happened that day, and will do so via email.

    FEES:
    Weigh-In Fee: $5/week
    Weight Gain Penalty: $2/partial lb.
    No Weight Change Penalty: $2/week
    Missed Weigh-In Penalty: $5/week
    NEW! No Scannable Barcode Penalty: $2/week
    NEW! Replacement Registration Card: $5/card
    Returned Check Fee: $25/check
    NEW! Late Arrival Penalty: $4/week
    *Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

What if team members drop out?

1. We don't encourage dropping out. You need all your team members to remain in the contest and to lose weight in order to have a better chance at winning.
2. Team members can be replaced in some instances.
3. Team members who have dropped out (and who have not been replaced) may re-join their team (with team approval, and as long as that teammate has not been replaced, and as long as their fines and fees are paid up).
4. Team members may drop out, but the contestant's last paid-up weigh-in will be reflected in the team's final calculations.
5. To drop out, you must give written notice by e-mail to Justin@JustinRudd.com.
6. Team members may drop out, but their weight-loss percentages will be calculated into the team’s totals. Again, it's advantageous to keep teammates on your team and losing weight.
7. It is the responsibility of the team member to pay all fines each week. All fines and weigh-in fees must be paid on/by the final weigh-in to be considered for prizing.
8. There must be at least three original teammates still on the team through the last weigh-in to be considered for a team prize, but remember, to have a better chance at winning, you need a higher sum of weight loss which can best be achieved by five teammates.
9. No refunds or transfers, for any reason (including medical, death, funeral, marriage, job status, pregnancy, work scheduling, etc.).
   
   

   The purpose of the fees is to encourage all participants to stay in the contest and focused on the goal of weight loss.  As agreed to on the entry form, every contestant is required to pay $5 every week of the 12-week contest, even if one drops out (for any reason).  Plus, everyone paid the initial $5 weigh-in fee.  So, that's a minimum of $65 if you make it to every weigh-in and do not gain any weight during the contest.  And, there is an additional $5 penalty for every week that a contestant misses a weigh-in, for any reason.  

   If a contestant drops out, it's basically $10 owed per weigh-in left in the contest.  For example, if you miss the final five weigh-ins you would owe $50.  No refunds.
   
   As noted in the rules above, you can re-join your team in the contest at any time by simply weighing-in and paying your fees up to date.

   All payments should be received by the final weigh-in. If in doubt about your account, email Justin@JustinRudd.com well in advance of the final weigh-in day.

How do you win the contest?

1. For the grand prizes, we will present the winning team's teammates and the overall biggest individual loser with at least $1,000. Remember, the overall goal in this contest is for each participant to lose weight over the entire 12-week period. We feel that the outline/rules below for "how to win" will help to achieve that goal for all involved.
2. Cash grand prizes will be awarded to the winning teams (divided equally by teammates who complete the contest and who are paid up), based on the sum of the individual teammates' weight-loss percentages (initial weigh-in to final weigh-in). It is therefore most beneficial to keep your teammates on your team and losing weight. We expect to offer cash to at least the top-10 placed teams for this team grand prize.
3. Cash grand prizes will also be awarded to the biggest individual losers, based on individual weight-loss percentages (initial weigh-in to final weigh-in). We expect to offer cash to at least the top-ten placed individuals for this individual grand prize.
4. Prize awards will be given only to the teammates on a team who are still active and paid-up in the contest as of the final weigh-in. Any winning team's teammates who are not active and paid-up in the contest on the last weigh-in date will forfeit his/her share of the prize money. Forfeited money will be donated to the nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team. It is the responsibility of the contestant to go online and view his/her account and accounting.
5. Cash grand prizing for teams and for individuals is expected to be approx. 10 deep (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th places). The exact number of winning teams and individuals will be made known only at the awards ceremony.
6. All team and individual winners will split the jackpot (amounts and percentages to be determined in the final weeks of the contest).
7. All cash winners must first sign a W-2 form provided by the Community Action Team (CAT) at the awards ceremony before they receive their cash.
8. All persons registered in the Losers contest (even those on teams) are eligible for the individual loser awards.
9. It is possible to win one or more team prizes and an individual loser prize.
10. Award amounts to be determined by the amount of fees collected into the jackpot over the course of the contest.
11. These rules and guidelines may be updated and/or changed, as necessary, by Justin Rudd and the Long Beach Losers contest organizers.

Questions?
Event organizer Justin Rudd, Justin@JustinRudd.com

HOW DOES A TEAM WIN THE LOSER CONTEST?
Cash prizes will be awarded to approx. 10 teams in the Long Beach Loser contest, based on the total of the individual teammates' weight-loss percentages (initial weigh-in to final weigh-in). For the grand prize, it is therefore advantageous to keep teammates on your team throughout the contest and encourage them all to lose weight. There will also be cash prizes for the indiviuals who lose the greatest percentage of body weight. READ MORE

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NOTE: Our calculations are week-to-week results only, not cumulative.  Take the current week's weight and subtract the previous week's weight and divide that by the same previous week's weight to come up with each teammate's percent of weight lost.  Add up each person's percent of weight lost and divide by the number of people on the team.  Example of individual's week-to-week loss: 200 lbs. on week 1 and 150 lbs. on week 2 (150-200/200 = .25 or a 25 percent loss).

4 REGISTER NOW
4 LOG IN TO MY ACCOUNT
4 PRINT MY FORM
4 STATISTICS
4 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
4 RULES
4 OTHER UPCOMING JUSTIN RUDD/CAT EVENTS

NOTE Pay the full $65 by cash or check at your first weigh-in, and you'll receive a 1-lb. weight-loss credit that we'll subtract from your final totals if your account is paid-up.


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