Scale Back Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Scale Back Alabama is back.

The state's comprehensive weight loss campaign returns for a second year with new rewards, rules and raffles.

Weigh-ins for the 10-week program begin Saturday as Alabama tries to shed its reputation as one of the country's heaviest states.

More than 20,000 Alabamians participated last year and lost 78,472 pounds and the hope in 2008 is that the program will double or triple in size.

Teams of four will weigh in January 5th to 11th and weigh out March 8th to 14th at designated sites across the state.

The goal is for each person to lose 10 pounds and all teams who meet that goal will be eligible for the grand prize drawing of $1,000 for each team member.

This year there are also 20 individual prizes of $250 that will be given in a raffle open to anyone who loses at least 10 pounds.