To celebrate the end of an Island-wide weight loss programme, and the beginning of healthier, more energetic lives, the entire community is invited to a national workout led by an international soca legend.

The Live Healthy Bermuda 100-Day Challenge ends on April 24 with a special concert at the National Stadium with soca queen Alison Hinds on May 3.

The challenge, which is sponsored by Bermuda Diabetes Association, Lindo's Supermarkets, Aspen Insurance, the Department of Health and Quaker Oats requires participants to work in teams of between two and 10 people, which organisers hoped would increase the competition and keep everyone motivated.

"There are two branches to this," said Andrew Phillips, CEO of Global Arts Entertainment, which is producing the televised portions of the weight-loss challenge. "This was initially started by the Bermuda Diabetes Association, and another group called Healthy Living America which became Healthy Living Bermuda.

"We started promoting our contestants. We can only have about 10 people on television, but we had about 2,500 people enrol. They enrolled on the Healthy Living website. We are working together.

"We haven't been able to pay attention to the Healthy Living website people as much as we would like. We have the contestants. So we are having this concert to bring everyone together."

Mr. Phillips thought the programme had been extremely successful in its goal to get people to lose weight over 100 days.

"The winner will be the Bermuda weight loss champion 2008," said Mr. Phillips. "One man, who may turn out to be the Bermuda weight loss champion, has lost 50 pounds.

"Everyone has made a remarkable improvement. The least amount of weight that has been lost is 20 pounds."

Contestants must get their doctor's stamp of approval at the end of the programme, to prove that they have lost the weight legitimately.

Incentives for those taking part in the weight loss championship included time with trainers, a free gym pass, cell phones from the sponsors, shopping vouchers from Lindo's, and grand prize trips to the Mediterranean, Disney World and New York.

The contestants triumphs and struggles were filmed and shown on local television. "We have had three minute segments every Monday with updates since the contest began," said Mr. Phillips.

"We have had three weigh-ins where they see where they are. That has been televised on Bermuda Broadcasting.

"Lindo's was our title sponsor. Zac Moniz at Lindo's was an integral part. The television format included two commentators and panellists who would analyse each contestant's weigh-in.

"These included Marie Beach from the Government Healthy Schools programme, Sarah McKittrick from the Bermuda Diabetes Centre and Holly Flook, assistant claims manager at BF&M."

Mr. Phillips said that during down times in filming he often exercised along with the contestants.

"Because I am the producer, I have to be there with them a lot of the time," he said. "I do the exercises with them as well. It is an excellent opportunity for me to get fit. I am not normally in the line of the camera like they are, but sometimes it catches me.

He said he now weighs exactly what he weighed when the programme started, which is good. Mr. Phillips was diagnosed as a diabetic six years ago and must take insulin injections. For this reason, he understands well the need to turn your life around and get healthy.

He said people in the programme have received support from many different segments of the community.

"What's funny is that, during the competition, the cashiers in the supermarket have been very supportive.

"If they know someone is in the programme and they see them with something they shouldn't have the cashiers tell them to put it back. That's how I found out my wife had tried to buy a candy bar. A cashier told me.

"One person was so embarrassed at the idea of being caught that they stole a candy bar from the supermarket and left money in its place."

People not involved in the programme are also encouraged to come out to the National Work Out and Soca Concert.

They are assured that they don't have to work out if they don't want to. The people involved in the 100 Day Weight Loss Championship will have a special area with special healthy snacks on hand, but there will be regular junk food available for others.

"The whole community can come and work out," said Mr. Phillips. "We have Sharlene Sousa who has been the head coach and trainer of the whole programme. Monroe Darrell has been the core trainer.

"Sharlene has them through the week and Monroe has them on the weekends. Sharlene and her team will have five minute intervals during the concert where they will be doing special exercise routines.

"The idea is to have the whole country start to look at health in a more positive light, and a more fun and energetic light."

Of course, Alison Hinds will be the highlight of the evening. Ms Hinds who recently went solo with her music career is well known for empowering songs like 'Roll It Gal'. She will be bringing with her a world class 13-piece band and other top international artists who will play the top soca hits.

"Soca involves a lot of energy and jump up and wave," said Mr. Phillips. "People are invited to come and sit on the bleachers or just stand up among the crowd.

"It is all to encourage the national work out. The response has been tremendous from this programme."

The concert also acts as a finale to the programme, with the winners being announced. Speakers will include Jane Deville-Almond of the National Obesity Forum of Britain and Troy Vincent with Live Healthy America. There will be a matinee and late evening concert on May 3. People who attend the first concert can attend the second for free if they keep their wrist bands on and intact.

For the Healthy Living people tickets in advance are $40, for regular people in advance, tickets are $50. They are $60 for all at the gate. Advance tickets cut off on April 25. Tickets are available from Music World, Lindo's, The Bermuda Diabetes Centre and Dub City. There is also a special parking section for the Healthy Living participants.

For more information telephone 295-5331.