LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Hundreds of people lined up in Long Beach Wednesday to “battle the bulge.”

Participants, who are grouped in teams of five, pay $65 for a 12-week weight loss program.

The entrance fee is then pooled together and divided among individual winners and winning teams who lose the most weight.

Winners could win thousands of dollars, but those who gain weight will owe $2 per pound.

“The fact that you have to pay money if you gain weight or maintain was a real selling point for me,” participant Kathie Duck said.

Registration will continue Wednesday outside the Belmont Athletic Club from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday.