Frequently Asked Questions

I missed the kick-off event. When is it too late to sign up for the Weight Loss Challenge?

Teams can sign up any time during the duration of the competition. Please note that only teams registered on or before June 1, 2008, will be eligible for the prizes awarded at the end of the Avera McKennan Community Weight Loss Challenge 2008. Teams registered after this date can take part in the challenge, but will not be eligible for prizes

I would like to sign up, but I don't want to join a team. Is it O.K. to compete as a team of one?

The Avera McKennan Weight Loss Challenge is a team challenge. Teams must consist of at least two, but no more than eight members. The Challenge and all the online resources are FREE and accessible to anyone, so you can certainly gain all the benefits of a registered participant as an individual, other than tracking your weight loss and eligibility for the grand prize.

Whether you join as a team or use the Challenge website to aid your own personal journey, we hope you’ll visit often to read our Doug and Jenny blog or read the many health and wellness tips that will be updated each week!

How will we know for sure whether the results teams report are the real deal?

Good point-and you're right. With the honor system there's no way to know for sure whether or not teams actually lost the weight they reported. We're counting on you all to be honest and participate in the spirit of the event. It's not necessarily about winning; it's about making a positive, lasting change for the better.

Are there rules for the ways in which I can lose weight? For example, can I hire a personal trainer?

We aren't going to set down weight loss rules, but we certainly encourage you to pursue your goals in a healthy way. Crash diets, starvation and other weight-cutting tactics are discouraged. We want you to make healthy changes. Hiring a personal trainer is not an essential part of healthy living, but his or her guidance, encouragement and supervision may be the right choice for you.

How do I join an existing team?

If you have friends who have already registered a team and would like to add you on, (up to eight members total), please e-mail us at corporatehealthservices@mckennan.org  or call 605-322-3866. You will need to know the “team code” they have chosen at the time of the call in order to be added.