NATCHEZ — For the past nine weeks, several area residents have been participating in a program to lose weight and possible gain a bigger wallet.

The Red White & Lose program is a 12-week weight-loss challenge program open to anyone who would like to participate.

“The purpose is to help everybody on this journey,” said Miranda Clifton of the Vidalia Police Department, who is helping sponsor the event. “Everybody has a reason they want to lose weight here. It does not matter if a person is 1 pound overweight or 150 pounds, they all have the same hang ups.”

Every Thursday, members weigh in to see how much closer they are to reaching their goals. While last week the group walked 3.9 miles around Natchez, participants try something different each week, including a Cross Fit challenge at Pure Strength Studio in Natchez, the “Insanity Workout” class at Barr Fitness in Vidalia and line dancing in the Vidalia Upper Elementary Gym.

The person who loses the largest percentage of weight at the end of the 12 weeks will be awarded the grand prize of $1,010, which was raised from the $10 membership fee. The winner will be announced at the Fourth of July celebration festival on the Vidalia Riverfront, Clifton said.