If you’re still feeling stuffed from all the Thanksgiving turkey and fixings, consider lightening up in the new year and becoming part of the “Lighten Up Weight Loss Challenge,” sponsored by the Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Light.

This “Biggest Loser” style competition will run for eight weeks, from Jan. 17 through March 13, 2011. Teams of four will compete to see who loses the largest percentage of weight. An individual award will also be given to the entrant with the largest percentage of weight loss. Teams will have an initial weigh-in during the week of January 10, with the challenge kicking off the following Monday.

The Lighten Up Weight Loss Challenge will be held at the JCC and is open to all members. People are encouraged to register as a team, but individuals who sign up will be placed with others to create a team of four based on availability and fitness goals. Participants can also sign up for a free fitness assessment, and follow that up with specially priced individual and team personal training packages if they would like.

The deadline for early bird registration is December 12 — if you are not a member of the J and you join by then you get the rest of the month free. Remember, you must be a member of the J to play.

For more information , or to get registered, contact Challenge Leader Katie Hughes at 314-442-3176 or [email protected]. Information is also available for the Challenge at www.jccstl.com.