The Family YMCA of Greater Augusta will launch its ninth annual Team Lean competition on Monday, January 11 at all 10 Family YMCA locations in the CSRA. Cumulatively, during the past eight years of the competition, the program has helped thousands of participants lose more than 100,000 pounds, making the CSRA a healthier community.

“Every new year brings a new group of people who are striving for a healthier lifestyle”, says Danny McConnell, President/CEO for the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta. “We’ve seen a tremendous impact on our community over the past eight years of the Team Lean competition.”

The Family YMCA began Team Lean in 2008, during its 150-year anniversary year.  At the time, Augusta was ranked nationally in the Top 10 of the most obese cities in the country.  The first year of Team Lean, more than 1,500 participants joined the program which demonstrated a strong desire by the community for resources and motivation for becoming healthier.

Team Lean participants pay a registration fee of $75 to compete for cash prizes and must attend an initial weigh-in at the kick-off events on January 11 or by Friday, January 15.  For the following 11 weeks, they are required to weigh-in weekly at a Family YMCA location.