Press

May 14, 2012

For more information:
Jennifer Zeidler
Director of PR & Social Media
RETROFIT
855 4 RETROFIT x776 (office)
847-414-0828 (mobile)
JenniferZ@Retrofitme.com

Data-Driven Weight Loss Company Retrofit Expands Team to Support Customer Success

SKOKIE, IL (May 14, 2012) -- RETROFIT, LLC (retrofitme.com) - the company dedicated to permanent weight loss continues to deliver results to more than 90% for its growing customer base. On the heels of a successful $2.7 million financing effort, RETROFIT is expanding its expert-led, data-driven weight loss program to include 5 key positions. The company markets its innovative weight-loss protocol to consumers through employers and physicians. Committed to combating America's obesity epidemic, RETROFIT's team of experts implements behavioral, nutritional and scientific methods to help clients lose a minimum of 10% of their body weight and maintain the loss for more than one year.

Based on newly released data of active clients, RETROFIT announced the following results:

94% of RETROFIT clients are losing weight
12% of RETROFIT clients have already surpassed their 10% weight loss goal
RETROFIT clients have lost an average of 1.05 pounds per week utilizing the support of unique wireless data collection tools and RETROFIT's team of wellness experts

"We are relentlessly pursuing the strongest results in the industry for our clients," said RETROFIT CEO Jeff Hyman. "Major corporations throughout the country are motivated to help their employees benefit from the healthy improvements that our slow and steady weight loss approach delivers."

Deb Jerome, Human Resources Director of Chicago-based law firm Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg, LLP, has been pleased with both the employee participation and the results. "With Retrofit we have made a huge impact on the way wellness and weight loss is viewed in our organization," she said. "People are excited. They are organizing their own daily meetings to walk the stairs together and they are actively encouraging one another. The program is contagious in the way it drives success for our employees."

RETROFIT is further investing in driving client success and sharing solid results, including accelerated hiring in key areas below:

Amy S. Margulies, 43, joins RETROFIT as Lead Registered Dietitian. She leads the dietitian team in developing nutrition strategies and training to enhance client results.

Jennifer Plotnek, 40, joins RETROFIT as Lead Behavior Coach. She is a licensed clinical social worker and leads the behavior coach team in addressing difficult cases and progressing coping strategies and training to enhance client results.

Jennifer Zeidler, 43, joins RETROFIT as Director of Public Relations and Social Media. She will accelerate the awareness of the unique RETROFIT program through increasing word of mouth through traditional media exposure, as well as social media channels.

Greg King, 43, joins RETROFIT as Tech Guru and Quality Ninja. He is leading customer service and improving the overall client experience.

Larry Myers, 31, joins RETROFIT as a Senior Software Developer, accelerating key platform initiatives to further client success and enjoyment using the Retrofit program.

About RETROFIT:

RETROFIT provides a new high-tech, high-touch, and data-driven approach to weight loss designed to deliver lasting results. Its innovative year-long program includes wireless monitoring of a client's weight, activity and sleep quality. Each client also receives ongoing, individualized counsel from a registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, and behavior coach.

RETROFIT can be found on the Web at www.retrofitme.com and 855-4-RETROFIT. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/retrofitweightloss and Twitter at @Retrofitme.

March 15, 2012

For more information:
Eileen Rochford
THE HARBINGER GROUP
312-953-3305 (mobile)
eileenr@theharbingergroup.com

Retrofit Raises $2.7 Million From Three Leading Chicago Venture Funds and Angels Data-driven weight loss company declares war on dieting

SKOKIE, IL (March 15, 2012) -- RETROFIT, LLC (retrofitme.com) - the data-driven weight loss program for data-driven people - announced today that the company completed a $2 million financing round led by I2A Fund, New World Ventures, and FireStarter Fund, in addition to the $700,000 previously raised in late 2011. A number of prominent business leaders committed to defeating the nation's obesity epidemic also participated in the financing.

"Although the obesity epidemic has reached crisis proportions in the United States, there has been almost no disruptive thinking in the weight loss industry. RETROFIT's data-driven nutrition, fitness, and counseling program promises to change that. The approach is intensive without being invasive and the results are promising. Over 90% of all clients report positive weight-loss results, with an average of 1.1 pounds lost per week," said Stuart Larkins, Managing Director, I2A Fund. "We see great potential in RETROFIT's revolutionary model."

The capital infusion will be used in RETROFIT's ongoing efforts "to ensure that our customers realize long-term weight loss success," said CEO Jeff Hyman. "Our mission is to free the healthy person within all of us. We achieve this through a blend of sustainable behavior change, data analysis, and personalized support."

"Our program marries advanced internet technology with direct one-on-one counseling by a team of nutrition, fitness, and behavior professionals," Hyman said. "It is an optimal solution for busy people whose schedules and responsibilities have made achieving healthy weight levels so challenging. We are committed to turning the tide on the obesity epidemic."

During the 12-month program, RETROFIT clients follow a personalized nutrition and fitness plan; attend weekly Skype video meetings with a private team of registered dieticians, behavior coaches, exercise physiologists; and use advanced wireless devices to track weight, body composition, physical activity, and sleep patterns from home.

Clients receive ongoing communication and reinforcement from their personal professional advisors that helps new habits stick. "It's a very different approach and our clients love it," Tucker Toft-Dupuy, one of Retrofit's 40 Wellness Experts, shares. "Our Wellness Experts love it too. I get the high impact expert interaction of my peers and we work together to change people's lives for good. Nothing could be more exciting."

Retrofit markets its innovative service directly to consumers, through employers, and physicians.

The investment group includes:

Lon Chow, General Partner, Apex Venture Partners
Brian Jacobs, General Partner, Emergence Capital Partners
Renee LaBran, Partner, Rustic Canyon Fontis Partners
Matt Ocko - Partner, Three Kingdoms Capital Partners
Shaun Abrahamson - Partner, EigenValue Fund
Matt Dickinson - Partner, Growth Angels
Larry Levy, Chairman, Levy Restaurants
Dan Malven, Chairman, Analyte Health
Sridhar Murthy - CEO, Analyte Health
Jai Shekhawat, CEO, Fieldglass
Ancelmo Lopes, CEO, Ameritox
James Roberts, CEO, Chamberlain Group
Jerry Acuff - CEO, DeltaPoint
Jeff Hughes - CEO, BizLab
Tom Peterson - CEO, Social Leverage
Brian Spaly - CEO, Trunk Club
Howard Lindzon - CEO, StockTwits
Dan Clifford - CEO, AnswerLab
Matt Gray, President, G Bar
David Rosenblatt, Vice Chairman, Arava Power
Bob Brinker - Publisher, Brinker Advisory Services

About RETROFIT:

February 24, 2012

For more information:
Mike Beyer
THE HARBINGER GROUP
773-463-4211 (office)
312-961-2502 (mobile)
mikeb@theharbingergroup.com

RETROFIT ANNOUNCES EXPANSION WITH TWO SENIOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Maureen Giroux, Vice President of Patient Wellness, and David Myatt, Vice President of Employee Wellness, join RETROFIT team

SKOKIE, IL (February 24, 2012) - RETROFIT, LLC, the company dedicated to permanent weight loss, announces the expansion of their company with two new vice president positions. Maureen Giroux and David Myatt join the RETROFIT senior management team.

Maureen Giroux, 41, is vice president of patient wellness. Maureen will consult with physicians about how RETROFIT can benefit patients and their practice. Maureen brings 19 years of experience. Previously, Maureen worked at Bayer Healthcare as an executive sales consultant.

David Myatt, 43, is vice president of employee wellness. In his role, he will lead business development at RETROFIT, focusing on the business-to-business market. David will work primarily with CEOs, vice presidents, and heads of compensation and benefits within human resources departments, to incorporate RETROFIT into their employee wellness offering.

"We are thrilled to add two executive leadership positions, and bring the expertise and talent of both Maureen and David to our growing team," said Jeff Hyman, CEO of RETROFIT. "Both Maureen and David will play a critical role in leading RETROFIT into the future as we continue to grow at a rapid pace."

About RETROFIT

RETROFIT was founded with the simple mission to help people lose at least 10% of their body weight and keep it off over one year. RETROFIT arms its clients with wireless data collection devices to ensure accountability, as well as a personal team of wellness experts to design a tailor-made plan for weight management. RETROFIT can be found on the Web at www.retrofitme.com and 855-4-RETROFIT.

January 4, 2012

For more information:
Mike Beyer
THE HARBINGER GROUP
773-463-4211 (office)
312-961-2502 (mobile)
mikeb@theharbingergroup.com

RETROFIT LEADS NEW APPROACH TO WEIGHT LOSS MANAGEMENT IN 2012

National Launch of RETROFIT incorporates Fitbit and Withings performance feedback devices to build weight loss success

SKOKIE, IL (January 4, 2012) - RETROFIT, LLC, the company dedicated to permanent weight loss, is leading the way to long-term weight loss success by incorporating two new monitoring devices: the Fitbit Ultra Tracker and Withings Body Scale. RETROFIT believes that new weight loss management systems providing updated technology and information to motivate consumers will provide a stronger platform for long-term behavior change. New data from a limited beta, that began admitting users in September, is promising with 21 of 22 activated RETROFIT beta clients losing weight.

Retrofit's activated clients transmit data via their Fitbit Ultra Wireless Activity Tracker and Withings Wi-Fi body scale and have had 1:1 Skype video consultation with their own registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, and behavior coach. Each of the devices provides rich data that is vital to supporting the data-driven RETROFIT weight management program.

"This was a much more intelligent and strategic approach," Scott Kirkpatrick, a sports agent and Retrofit beta client, shares. "You do get addicted to checking in and seeing where you are on a daily basis. You want your numbers to be positive. You want your numbers to be trending in the right direction. And, knowing a team is evaluating your daily performance, you are definitely motivated to stay on the program."

The Fitbit Tracker tracks a person's all-day activity to provide real-time feedback on steps, distance, calories burned, and stairs climbed to encourage more activity, an essential element in the weight loss management system. The tracker also monitors sleep. The data is wirelessly uploaded to Fitbit.com to allow deeper insight into fitness and sleep levels with free online graphs and charts, as well as the ability to compare with friends and earn badges for extra motivation.

The Withings WiFi Body Scale makes weight and BMI tracking a cinch. Once a user steps on the scale, it uses WiFi to wirelessly record and transmit that user's body weight, lean & fat mass, and calculated body mass index (BMI) onto their own secure Withings webpage.

With the RETROFIT partnership, data from both Fitbit and Withings accounts automatically sync to the client's personal RETROFIT dashboard. The combined data is analyzed daily by the client's multi-disciplinary expert team in an innovative year-long program. The team, which consists of a registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, and behavior coach, uses the data to help clients lose at least 10% of their body weight and then achieve sustained weight stability before graduating from the program.

The partnership between RETROFIT, Withings, and Fitbit marks the beginning of a coming revolution in how Americans manage their health. Eric Topol, MD, Director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute, says in an upcoming book that wearable sensors, smartphone apps, and social networks will deliver "big data" to clinics, laboratories, hospitals and wellness teams influencing everything from the treatment of disease, to the prolonging of health, to the development of new treatments.

"We are dedicated to delivering simple, innovative health and fitness products and services that empower people to lead healthier, more active lives by providing them their own fitness data online, mobile or in real time." said Woody Scal, Fitbit's Chief Revenue Officer. "This product integration with RETROFIT opens up a unique opportunity to better understand the potential of building consumer behavior when the consumers are further supported by a team of coaches."

"We are extremely fortunate to have the superior technology of Fitbit and Withings as part of the RETROFIT program. These incredible devices deliver data to our clients and their wellness teams in real time, which in turn informs their future choices with respect to diet and exercise," said Jeff Hyman, CEO of RETROFIT. "We look forward to a long and successful alliance with partners like Fitbit and Withings that continue to drive innovation in self-monitoring."

About RETROFIT

About FITBIT

Founded in 2008 in San Francisco, CA, Fitbit is dedicated to delivering simple, innovative health and fitness products and services that engage people to lead healthier, more active lives by giving them the tools to become more aware, more motivated and more fit every day. Fitbit is the market leader for wireless activity trackers. Fitbit's Ultra Wireless and Sleep Tracker is the leading wireless activity tracker on the market, with distribution at such retailers as Best Buy, Amazon, Brookstone, REI, Radio Shack and 24 Hour Fitness. Fitbit is funded by the Foundry Group, True Ventures, and SoftTech VC. For more information please visit www.fitbit.com or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

About WITHINGS

Withings designs, develops, and industrializes connected objects. As a French start-up established by executives from technology and telecom industry, Withings has a focus on innovation and design for everyday products. Firstly, Withings released the world's first internet and WiFi connected body scale and has since then expanded its product line with the iOS connected Smart Blood Pressure Monitor, and an internet connected Smart Baby Monitor. Withings is an actor in the Internet of Things and thus increases capabilities of an object by network resources allows accessing to infinite calculation and storage capacities without increasing the cost. For more information, visit www.withings.com.

December 28, 2011

For more information:
Mike Beyer
THE HARBINGER GROUP
773-463-4211 (office)
312-961-2502 (mobile)
mikeb@theharbingergroup.com

PRELIMINARY DATA SHOWS OVER NINETY PERCENT OF ACTIVATED RETROFIT CLIENTS ARE LOSING WEIGHT

No Dropouts from Program That Began Admitting Users in September

SKOKIE, IL (December 28, 2011) - New preliminary data released today by RETROFIT, the company dedicated to long-term weight loss, show exciting results after a four-month period. The results show that 21 of the 22 activated RETROFIT beta clients have lost weight. Average weight loss for the group is a safe and steady 1.1 pounds per week.

Activated clients are clients who have set up the Retrofit provided wireless devices to transmit data and have had 1:1 video consultation with their registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, and behavior coach.

"We are obviously thrilled to announce these preliminary weight-loss figures," said Jeff Hyman, CEO of RETROFIT. "We have designed our protocol to achieve lasting weight loss over a longer period of time, and so far the beta results are entirely consistent with that design. We look forward to sharing data six to eight months from now with an expanded client base."

The data for all clients in the program is reviewed daily. Where deviations from the planned success path are identified, client plans are reviewed by the assigned wellness team and then escalated to the RETROFIT Advisory Board when additional counsel is needed. For beta clients that are averaging below one pound per week, all have had modifications to their plans and most are now increasing the speed with which they are losing weight.

Furthermore, many of the newest RETROFIT clients have already lost weight before entering into a single session with a member of their private wellness team, a development RETROFIT advisory board members attribute to the power that simple self-monitoring has on overall weight management.

"With a small initial beta we are cautiously optimistic at this time," said Dr. Robert Kushner, Clinical Director of the Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity in Chicago, Illinois, and a member of RETROFIT's advisory board. "Our focus is on the long term results, so we will continue to look at the trend lines very closely as the client pool is expanding and address any deviations that we are seeing. The fact that we are seeing a 95% weight loss rate among our fully activated beta participants is extremely encouraging. We are definitely off to a strong start."

About RETROFIT

December 21, 2011

For more information:
Mike Beyer
THE HARBINGER GROUP
773-463-4211 (office)
312-961-2502 (mobile)
mikeb@theharbingergroup.com

BUSINESSES HAVE A SIGNIFICANT STAKE IN THE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT OF THEIR WORKFORCE

Experts: A Ten Percent Change in Weight Can Lead to Greater U.S. Productivity and Reduced Costs

SKOKIE, IL (December 21, 2011) - Authors of a new white paper released today say that costs in the American workplace can be reduced significantly through a 10% weight loss for overweight and obese employees. The paper also revealed some misconceptions about the cost of obesity in the workplace. It cited results from a recent Caravan survey, which found that 53% of those surveyed believe that obese employees are "as equally productive" as employees who maintain a healthy weight.

The new white paper was commissioned by RETROFIT, the company dedicated to long-term weight loss. Experts who contributed to the article underscored significant benefits are gained from an achievable 10% reduction in body weight.

"Studies show that employees who are overweight or obese incur more medical costs than those employees who maintain healthy weight levels, even if both sets of employees have low rates of absenteeism. We have seen strong evidence that a 10% weight loss brings about significant health benefits, and would expect to see reduced related health costs in the workplace," said Dr. Robert Kushner, Clinical Director of the Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity in Chicago, IL, and a member of RETROFIT's advisory board.

"Offering weight management as part of overall wellness programs with a focus on gains in health is an excellent investment for both the company and the individual." Dr. Kushner notes many studies indicate that even small weight losses have a disproportionately positive effect on improving people's health and significantly reduce their risks for a wide range of illnesses. He said such a weight loss can be brought about by making a complete lifestyle change.

"Short term diets don't work. In fact, 95% of people who lose weight put it right back on within 12 months. It takes time to impart good behaviors and make them stick," he says. "It is therefore vital to lose weight by establishing long term healthy patterns of behavior. Any weight management plan should include an extended maintenance phase to ensure people have the skills and tools necessary to successfully maintain reduced weight for life."

Many American companies already offer health maintenance programs. Including weight loss programs for individuals with an emphasis on long-term sustainable results is likely to yield significant benefit for both companies and their employees.

Download the White Paper : The 10% Solution

About RETROFIT

November 30, 2011

For more information:
Mike Beyer
THE HARBINGER GROUP
773-463-4211 (office)
312-961-2502 (mobile)
mikeb@theharbingergroup.com

NEW SURVEY SHOWS PEOPLE HAVE A "SUPER-SIZE" MENTALITY ABOUT LOSING WEIGHT

More than one in three believe overweight Americans need to lose 30% of their weight to improve their health; experts say most would benefit more from a "10% Solution"

SKOKIE, IL (November 30, 2011) - Is it possible that Americans, who live in a country with the highest obesity rates in the developed world have expectations as outsized as our waistlines? Do our misperceptions about weight loss and health contribute to the obesity problem? Have shows like "The Biggest Loser" discouraged people from adopting healthier approaches for losing weight?

These are some of the questions raised by these findings from a national survey commissioned by RETROFIT, the company dedicated to long-term weight loss:

More than one in three respondents believes overweight Americans need to lose at least 30% of their weight to improve their health.
More than 70% think that overweight Americans need to lose at least 20% of their weight.
Only one in five put this figure at 10%, which medical experts have identified as a target goal for successful weight loss maintenance.

"The most concerning implication from this survey is that people believe that they need to lose an exorbitant amount of weight in order to achieve health benefits. This leads to frustration and disappointment when they don't reach these unrealistic goals. And it can also stop some people from attempting weight loss altogether," said Dr. Robert Kushner.

"Helping people understand that 10% weight loss can have meaningful impact on your health is a critical first step towards setting a realistic goal."

Dr. Kushner also notes many studies indicate that even small weight losses have a disproportionately positive effect on improving people's health and significantly reduce their risks for a wide range of illnesses.

"Our mission is to help people lose at least 10% of their body weight and keep it off for one year and beyond," he says. "We hope that this survey will help dispel the general public's misinformed ideas about appropriate weight loss goals and encourage a healthier focus on long-term weight loss."

RETROFIT provides a new high-tech, high-touch, and data-driven approach to weight loss designed to deliver lasting results. Its innovative year-long program includes wireless monitoring of a client's weight, activity and sleep quality. Each client also receives ongoing, indvidualized counsel from a registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, and behavior coach.

The survey was conducted by CARAVAN and included a national probability sample of more than 1,000 adults living in private households. It was completed during the period November 10-13, 2011.

About RETROFIT

November 15, 2011

For more information:
Mike Beyer
THE HARBINGER GROUP
773-463-4211 (office)
312-961-2502 (mobile)
mikeb@theharbingergroup.com

NATION'S TOP WEIGHT LOSS EXPERTS COMBINE FORCES TO LAUNCH RETROFIT

$700,000 First Round Financing Supports New Data-Driven Weight Loss Company

SKOKIE, IL (November 15, 2011) - RETROFIT, LLC, the company dedicated to long-term weight loss, announced today it has closed an initial $700,000 round of financing. The capital will enable the company to expand its operations nationwide on November 28, Cyber Monday.

RETROFIT provides a new approach to weight loss that is designed to deliver lasting results. The company combines the power of wireless client tracking with the expertise of a multi-disciplinary expert team in an innovative year-long program. Each client is assigned their own registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, and behavior coach to help clients lose 10 or 15% of their body weight and then achieve sustained weight stability before graduating from the program.

"Commercial weight loss programs have focused on delivering short-term results, because people think that is what they want," James Hill, PhD, Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado. "Without a focus on permanent supported behavior change, there will be no significant impact on the burden of excess weight in our nation."

Participating individual investors include Larry Levy, Chairman of Levy Restaurants, Brian Jacobs, General Partner of Emergence Capital Partners, Renee LaBran, Partner of Rustic Canyon Fontis Partners and Matt Moog, CEO of Viewpoints.com

"RETROFIT takes a high tech approach to delivering proven best practices in weight loss," said Jeff Hyman, CEO of RETROFIT. "Wireless monitoring of daily weight, activity and even sleep quality, gives our clients and expert teams the reliable data needed to drive lifelong behavior change."

RETROFIT's advisory board is made up of some of the nation's most prominent weight loss experts and hands on clinicians. The board includes:

Robert Kushner, MD, Clinical Director of the Northwestern Comprehensive Center on Obesity and Past President of The Obesity Society
James O. Hill, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center at University of Colorado and Past President of The Obesity Society
Holly Wyatt, MD, Medical Director at the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado
Brad Saks PsyD, Co-owner of the North Shore Center for Weight Management and faculty member of Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.
Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD, CSSD a registered dietitian, nutrition advisor to the Chicago Cubs, and author of "The Flexitarian Diet"
Melissa Paolino, MS, lead exercise physiologist for Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Center for Partnership Medicine

"RETROFIT is challenging the premise of short term weight loss, using high tech tools and high touch teams to drive long term sustainable outcomes," said Larry Levy, chairman of Levy Restaurants and a managing partner at Levy Family Partners, a founding investor in RETROFIT. "The entire nation has a role to play in addressing the issue of persistent weight gain. We are proud to help private enterprise do its part for the collective health of the country."

Other participating investors in RETROFIT include:

Jai Shekhawat, CEO, Fieldglass
Christopher Ainsley, CEO, Shoppertrak
Ancelmo Lopes, CEO, Ameritox
Rick Inatome, CEO, InfiLaw
James Roberts, CEO, Chamberlain Group
Matt Gray, President, G Bar
Matt DiMaria, SVP, Rovi
David Rosenblatt, Vice Chairman, Arava Power