Weight.

Everyone has it, no one likes it.

When it comes to losing it, it can be difficult for some people. That's why Mike Tongi has developed a program for people to make losing weight easier.

Mr. Tongi got involved in this program after joining Herbal Life about three years ago

Founded 28 years ago, Herbal Life is a nutrition and weight-management company, with branches worldwide, mostly in the USA and Canada.

"[Herbal life] and I decided to put this program together to help as many people as we could, to give them value and resources about losing weight," said Mr. Tongi, who came to Canada from Switzerland more than 10 years ago, and has started his own program for weight loss.

With some people nicknaming it "The Biggest Loser Orangeville," Mike Tongi is hoping to expect a good turnout.

The program, which lasts 12 weeks, costs only an entry fee of $29. After the 12 weeks, Mr. Tongi has a special present lined up for those who lost the most pounds.

All the money that goes into the program will be donated to a special "pot" prize. At the end up the program, the top three people who lost the most weight, most inches, and most percentage of weight will be rewarded.

The person who loses the most pounds will receive $500, the person who loses the most inches will receive $300, and the person who loses the most percentage of weight will get $200.

With this prize lined up, Tongi expects more people will show up.

"Money can be an incentive," he said. Mr. Tongi also works for Herbal life, and promotes this program to people who want to lose weight, and keep it off.

He started this program to help give people lots of value, and to help them get healthy. And most people are responding well to the program.

"I think it's a really great idea," Orangeville resident Lisa Stowell said. "It's a fun way to get active, to learn and to help educate on some of the things in which we need to learn about obesity and healthy lifestyles. Plus, it's a good way to get motivated, when there is someone there to help you."

Some people, on the other hand, don't share this sense of optimism. There are some issues regarding how well the exercises and healthy eating will work after the program has ended.

"You need to really keep it up after it ends," Another Orangeville resident said. "It's not like he can come to your house everyday and tell you what to eat, and how to exercise."

Mr. Tongi has this to say about that: "I told everyone on the last day, it's now up to you whether or not you want to continue this program, or if you want to do it on your own."

But he advises that if you want to continue it on your own, it can be hard to keep up with that new lifestyle. If you are going to do it on your own, he suggests to keep researching about exercising and weight loss.

Despite some of the negativity, the program is still going strong with over 300 people signing up. Unfortunately, he can only take a certain amount of people per program.

"I signed up 120 people for this last program," he said.

Mr. Tongi plans to have four programs a year, and the second program in Orangeville has already started at Millennium Tae Kwon Do.

"I'm getting everything ready for the next meeting."

And anybody can sign up. Teens, adults, men, women — it doesn't matter who, as long as you are there for the bigger picture; losing weight. He doesn't treat any of them differently, no matter what age you are.

With the rate of obesity rising, most teenagers and adults are feeling pressure from the media to lose weight and be perfect.

"It can affect people in positive and negative ways," Mr. Tongi said. "Many products and books and advertisements out there about health and fitness, and I always tell people to do their own research. Whatever works best for you."

The Tongi weight loss program is a non-profit, promotional program from Herbal Life, but he does have products that he's going to promote.

"It's up to them," he says of his products. "I'm not twisting anyone's arm."

Since moving from Switzerland to Canada, Mr. Tongi has seen a change in fitness. Having access to corner stores 24/7 and seeing people eat more, is only one of the things that has motivated him to start this program.

With this program attracting so much attention, many people are expecting results. But don't get discouraged if you find yourself not following the regime after the first couple of days. The long-term motivation is the key.