A weight loss program in Stevens Point encourages the entire community to get involved in getting fit.
At the Ministry Community Weight Race, participants have 15 weeks to try to lose 10 percent of their body mass.
"Which comes out to about a half pound to two pounds per week," event coordinator Traci Smet said. "It's kind of like The Biggest Loser concept."
For third-time participant Bonita Patoka, the importance of eating right and exercising hits close to home.
"My father had heart disease," Patoka said. "And died at 73. So, you know, you think about all these things when you get older too."
That's why she and 900 others are working to improve their health, together.
"We know people influence us," said Carole Carson, a community fitness organizer. "So if we see people around us eating better and getting fit, we want to join and we want to copy their behavior."
Last year, the participants lost nearly 3,000 lbs. This year, Patoka, and her team members, called, Ding Dong the Fat is Gone, are shooting for a more modest goal.
"I'm just going to go for another 10," she said. "I just like to be realistic."
