Minnesota hospital workers trying to win ‘Biggest Loser’ prize

Associated Press

CLOQUET, Minn. — Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet is going through a belt-tightening phase — literally.

Nearly 140 of the northwestern Minnesota hospital's 360 employees are competing to see who can shed the most pounds.

The winning losers will be rewarded with $100 and a Community Memorial jacket.

The contest was inspired by the NBC reality show "The Biggest Loser," where overweight people try to lose the most weight to win a cash prize.

The hospital is considering opening the contest to the entire Cloquet community next year.

The competition ends June ninth with a final weigh-in on the hospital's 500-pound capacity laundry scale. Staff members have also planned monthly weigh-ins after that to motivate people to maintain a healthy lifestyle.