ARLINGTON — Local businesses have teamed up to help people in the Arlington community get into the best shape of their lives.

Healthiest You, a weight loss competition inspired by “The Biggest Loser” and sponsored by 15 businesses including Absolute Air Park, Mountain State Fitness and Stroller Strides, is an eight-week event in which the community can sign up and get fit over eight weeks. The first week’s challenge calls for each contestant to drink half of his or her body weight in ounces of water.

Healthiest You’s event on Facebook attracted nearly 30 people. Some are joining the competition with pre-formed teams of two to four people each, but teams will be formed for those without partners. Contestants are invited to work out in classes with sponsors of Healthiest You.

Prizes from the sponsors include two three-month packages from Stillaguamish Athletic Club and photography packages for post-contest beauty shots with Brittany Masella Photography. The grand prize is $250 in cash from Gutierrez Family Chiropractic. GFC will also provide massages and laser package vouchers.

“It’s only eight weeks, so people won’t drop out,” GFC manager Emily Davidson said. “We’ll keep them interested with teams and prizes.”

Teams will be subjected to weekly updates on weight loss progress so they can gauge what is or isn’t working.

GFC spread word of Healthiest You through Facebook, word-of-mouth and posters in sponsors’ offices.

Emily Peterson, who owns the “A Beautiful Addiction” tanning salon in Arlington, took part in GFC’s Ideal Protein diet before becoming a sponsor. Two members of her “Chubby Buddies” Healthiest You team started the diet and have already lost weight. The two who did not take up the diet have not.

Visit Healthiest You!’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/national.vaccine.information.center?ref=ts#!/events/203234449758407/ for more information on the contest and its sponsors.