The official launch of the 2023 challenge was held on January 26, 2023, at Seven at the Pier Restaurant, where club members hopped onto a scale one after the other and awaited their official start weight.

The club in a release said ‘Lose to Win’, which was conceptualised by Mr Georges, is a combined health and wellness initiative and fundraiser and the aim of the fundraiser is to encourage participants to shed unwanted weight and aim towards a healthier body, in order to prevent or control non-communicable diseases.

Initiative centered on disease prevention

“The initiative is centered around one of Rotary International’s important areas of focus, namely disease prevention and treatment. The winner of the last Lose to Win challenge held in 2018 was Rotarian Bernadette Brathwaite, a member of the Club who lost 30 pounds by the weigh-in deadline,” the release added.

Participants also received a glucose level check and got their blood pressure readings. Over the next 12 weeks, they will make a conscious effort to eat healthier balanced meals and exercise regularly to reach their weight loss goals.

President Valerie Georges-Thomas of the Rotary Club of Tortola said: “We are excited to be bringing back Lose to Win this year and it is good that we are launching it in January as many of us would have indulged over the Christmas period and would want to shed the few unwanted pounds that were gained then, or we may have other weight loss goals for the new year. We are encouraging the community to participate in this challenge. It is not just for Rotarians. Anyone can participate. It is a win/ win as it is an opportunity to get fit and healthy while raising money for the BVI Diabetes Association so that they can continue to do their good work in our community.”

Diabetes rates have 'doubled' due to poor eating- Dr Lewis

"The rate of diabetes has doubled in our lifetime because modern living has replaced healthier food practices of our ancestors. It’s time we take control of our health, and community initiatives like Lose to Win,” says Dr Sharlon Lewis of the BVI Diabetes Association.

Members of the community are encouraged to sign up and participate in the challenge. Registering in groups can provide a boost of motivation and moral support to one another, with rules and regulations available by contacting the Rotary Club of Tortola.

There are penalties for failure to lose weight and if participants gain weight. If a participant puts on weight, he or she will pay $100.00. Each pound pledged but not lost will cost the participant $20.00, with funds going towards a good cause.