The 2009 Team Lean kicked off with a great turnout at their initial weigh-in at the Bainbridge Mall Thursday.

With weigh-ins beginning at 6 a.m., more than 100 people kicked off their shoes and emptied their pockets to be weighed in the first hour alone. By 9:30 a.m., nearly half of the 700 people who pre-registered for the competition had been weighed.

Team Lean is a community weight-loss competition that is taking place for the third year in Bainbridge. The program is put on by Memorial Hospital and Manor in conjunction with the Bainbridge-Decatur County YMCA. It is a 12-week competition where teams of five or individuals compete to lose the highest percentage of weight. Teams and individuals have a little extra incentive of winning cash prizes given to those who lose the most.

Although participants can choose their own method of dropping pounds, exercise activities and nutritional classes are offered for those involved in the program. Classes cover a number of topics including fitness, portion control, how to read labels, cardiovascular and bone health.

A new addition for this year’s competition is a walking group every Tuesday and Thursday at the YMCA. Team Lean members don’t have to be a member of the YMCA to join the group. Until Jan. 15, the YMCA has also waved its $100 joining fee for Team Lean members.

Participating in his second Team Lean, Jeff Barber said he lost 60 pounds during last year’s competition.

“Seeing everybody and the team effort keep me motivated and on track,” Barber said.

A number of health tests were available in addition to the weigh-in process for each participant to judge the results of their hard work when the competition comes to a close on April 2.

Nurses were on hand from the hospital until noon conducting free blood screening for participants who also wished to have their glucose and cholesterol tested.

Liv Warren, assistant director of the YMCA, conducted body fat analysis using a machine that uses an electronic pulse to measure body fat ratios.

Team Lean competitors could also have their blood pressure tested by students in the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program at Bainbridge College.

“We participate in Team Lean every year,” said Wanda Green, a clinical instructor for the LPN program. “It’s part of our clinicals for the LPN program at Bainbridge College, and we really enjoy it.”

With weigh-ins taking place each week, make sure and check The Post-Searchlight or its Web site www.thepostsearchlight.com for the weekly posting of the top three individuals and teams.