Island Grill launches weight-loss challenge

With obesity - and the health complications that come with it - trending up in Jamaica, several local companies are now offering incentives to staff members to lose their ever-expanding waistlines.

The Jamaican-owned and -operated fast food chain, Island Grill, is the latest corporate entity to launch an employee weight loss challenge in hopes of battling the bulge.

In July, the Island Grill Weight- Loss Challenge was instigated under the theme 'LIVE Healthy: Eat Better, Feel Better'.

The challenge is expected to last for four months with close to 50 Island Grill employees participating.

Mentor to the participants and spokesperson for The Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Kelli-Ann Blissett-Madden, said the participants are very excited and committed to the task.

Blissett-Madden, who herself managed to lose over 120 pounds, added: "The workouts are very intense, they are like boot camps, and the challenge is open to all Island Grill employees across the island."

However, participants are not just being challenged to lose weight; they are also being equipped with tools to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

They are encouraged to document their journey each week with their exercise and dietary plans and are also exposed to weight-control mechanisms that they can utilise after the competition.

Island Grill, which rolled out its Go-Lite 500 calories meal earlier this year, says the challenge fits perfectly with its thrust towards a healthier Jamaica, guided by its tag line 'Eat Good, Live Good'.

The top-20 losers in the weight challenge will receive tickets to The Heart Foundation of Jamaica's Simply Red Wine & Food Festival on Friday, September 27, on the lawns of Jamaica House.