City employees are winning big by losing a lot, as part of a health initiative that kicked off this year.

Workers with the city of Statesboro are hitting the gym, eating well and shedding pounds as part of a "City of Statesboro Biggest Loser" competition, which rewards their healthy lifestyle changes.

A group of employees have competed in every quarter of this year to burn the largest percentage of body fat, and collect a $250 check in the process.

The program is an idea of human resources personnel, who last year looked at ways to promote health among employees and save taxpayer dollars on insurance fees.

"We had implemented our new health clinic (TransformHealthRx) and were still trying to think of ways to cut costs and get people to begin actually using the clinic," said Flavia Starling, the city's human resources coordinator. "We had the idea for this program, which isn't all about losing weight; it is about getting healthier and going to the clinic, where you have an opportunity to better manage your health and possibly catch problems early."

In 2013, thus far, 31 employees have registered to be a part of the city's "Biggest Loser" contest.

Unlike its namesake, the television competition show, the city program does not require participants to meet certain goals, complete strenuous workouts, or face a screaming drill instructor.

Instead, competitors are given advice about weight loss and dieting and left to their own devices. They must weigh in at various checkpoints throughout the year.

As of the first week in October, participating employees lost a total of 275.9 pounds in 2013, according to Krystal DeLoach, a care specialist at TransformHealthRx.

"It has really worked out great," Starling said. "The participants are proud of themselves, and they should be."

An added bonus - $250 - is given to the man or woman who ditches the greatest percentage of body fat in a particular quarter (three months) of the year.

Employees, though, say the money is just a nice extra.

"It has been a good motivator, and it's nice to know you could be rewarded for doing something you should be doing anyway, but I was wanting to lose some weight for myself," said Richard Smiley, the first-ever winner of the competition. "The money was just a good surprise."

Smiley, a public works employee, said he lost about 45 pounds through a combination of working out - at a gym provided for employees - softball, and eating healthier.

"(Participating) hasn't been about the money, but my health," said Terrell Evans, who finished first in quarters two and three of the competition. "I was kind of scared into getting healthier, when my doctor looked me straight in the eye and said: ‘You're killing yourself. I don't care how you do it, but you've got to lose weight.'"

After losing nothing in the first quarter of the year, Evans dropped close to 40 pounds over the summer.

"I feel 100 percent better," he said. "I can do things now that I haven't been able to do in years."

Evans said he credits eating less and being smarter about what he does take in.

And "being outside in the humidity, sweating, has helped," he joked.

City officials say they plan to continue the competition next year and are considering a larger prize for the 2013 overall winner.

The city's biggest "winners" so far this year, Smiley and Evans, say they plan to continue their weight-loss efforts.

Jeff Harrison may be reached at (912) 489-9454.