Executives and employees in Wilmington will begin to focus on fitness improvement over the next three months. The New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington Health and Greater Wilmington Business Journal are sponsoring the Fittest Execs program in an effort to get executives and their employers to live healthier lifestyles.

The deadline to participate is tomorrow and all entrants will undergo an initial fitness assessment and blood test. Participants will then be tested again in January to measure progress. According to a press release, the competition is a fun way to challenge executives and their employees to live healthier lifestyles, which helps boost organizations’ productivity and control their health care expenses.

Individuals and teams are encouraged to enter the contest. Executives can enter with employees, and are encouraged to challenge other organizations and companies. Individual and team awards will be presented to the highest performers on Jan. 13 at the BizTech Conference Expo. Awards will be given for most fit and most improved.

Jack Barto, president and CEO of New Hanover Regional Medical Center, is an example of the success of the program. Over the course of his six-month program he dropped 21 lbs. and lowered his body age from 51 to 43.