University of Virginia faculty and staff who want to lose weight and feel better have the opportunity to sign up now for “Hoo’s Losin’ It?,” a clinically supervised weight-loss program aimed to help employees get healthy and stay healthy.

The program, sponsored by Hoo’s Well and the UVA Health Plan, requires interested employees to attend a mandatory orientation session at the Aquatic & Fitness Center, classroom 201, on Nov. 20 or Dec. 5, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The course then runs from Jan. 6 through June 11.

Presented by U.Va. Nutrition Counseling and Intramural-Recreational Sports, the program will accept 14 participants, who must have a body mass index between 30 and 40 and be actively enrolled in the University of Virginia Health Plan as a U.Va. employee or spouse.

Priority may be given to participants who have other conditions, such as elevated blood sugar or high blood pressure.

“Hoo’s Losin’ It?” offers group classes and individual nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian, group fitness and five months’ gym access at IM-Rec sports facilities.

The program costs $150, but comes with rewards, offered by Hoo’s Well to participants who meet their goals. For completing the program attendance criteria, participants will receive a $150 reward (taxable). Additional rewards are available when weight loss and/or exercise goals are met, and are then added to an individual’s paycheck.

For registration and questions, contact: Robert Fitzgerald at rf7r@virginia.edu or 243-4749.