Who will be the biggest loser in North Georgia?

In the time when everyone wants to look better, feel better and be healthier, ATowns County Company is challenging people to a competition to find Towns County's "Biggest Loser."

Inspired by the popular fitness reality TV show,"The Biggest Loser;" Mac McBride launched a nonprofit 12-week course that offers tips on nutrition and exercise, paired with a hint of competition.

McBride is a personal health coach and founder of wellness company, Shake Healthy®. He moved to Towns County three years ago. He considers the course a chance to advertise Shake Healthy® and fight obesity by educating people about a better overall lifestyle.

"The goal is for people to feel good and look great," McBride said. "The course will give us accountability. Together, we can pull through on this." Course participants can use any weight-loss program they'd like, whether it is Jenny Craig, the South Beach Diet, Weight Watchers or a customized plan. McBride said he will work with each person to find what works best for them. He will also sell Shake Healthy's® herbal weight loss products.

Participants will weigh-in each week, and the three people with the highest percentage of pounds lost at the end of the course will win prize money. McBride is planning on a minimum of 15 students per class, which would allow for a $250 first-place prize, $150 second-place prize and $75 third-place prize.

For every pound a participant sheds, he or she will receive a raffle ticket for chances to win prizes and healthy snacks. McBride will charge $1 for each pound gained during the course, and $5 for each missed session over one session. He has worked hard for the past 18 months lose 45 lbs and keep it off for nearly a year.

"A fun competition like this, I think, is a very good motivation;" McBride said. "Soon, you're feeling better and you've just got more energy."

The cost for the 12-week course is $29. The money will go into the post for the prize money. Shake Healthy® will use $4 from each registration to administer the 12 week program.

The program will also be going on at Shake Healthy's® new locations in Blairsville and Blue Ridge as well. The phone numbers for those locations are; Blairsville 706-835-1883 and Blue Ridge 706-632-7700.