Participants line up to be weighed in during last year’s Long Beach Losers challenge. Photo courtesy of Justin Rudd.

According to Justin Rudd, the biggest losers also happen to be the biggest winners, at least when it comes to weight management.

Rudd, along with his nonprofit Community Action Team, presents the eighth annual Long Beach Losers weight loss challenge, where contestants have the chance to not only support each other in getting healthy, but to win money in the process.

“My goal is to promote healthier lifestyles, prevent illness and better manage chronic diseases in the Long Beach area with this contest that focuses on weight control and camaraderie,” Rudd said in a statement. “Do you want to be fit or fat? You’ve got nothing to lose, but a few pounds.”

The challenge focuses on teams of five people, Rudd said, who try to lose weight together during a 12-week competition, which begins with a weigh-in on August 20.

Registration is open now and costs $65 per participant.

During the contest period, each competitor will weigh in every Wednesday until November 12. Teams will be evaluated by body fat percentage loss, not pounds lost, Rudd said. Cash prizes are disbursed t the top teams and individuals at the end of the 12 weeks.

To register, visit Rudd’s website.