It’s the biggest New Year’s resolution that every one, at some
point in their lives, has made – to lose weight.
Shacky’s Women’s Fitness owner Cheyenne Bennett is thrilled about
any weight loss resolutions people might have made for the coming
year.
“Anything someone is doing to make a healthier change for their
lifestyle is something I’m all for,” said Bennett.
There are many options for beginning a weight loss program,
including looking into a few local gyms to begin.
After researching the annual Scale Back Alabama weight loss
program, Bennett says individuals who might need an extra push of
motivation can benefit from the program’s challenge.
Scale Back Alabama is a 10-week, statewide weight loss contest in
which teams of four adults compete to win cash prizes and get
healthy. The contest is free of charge and begins Jan. 21.
“That program is a great way to start your weight loss resolution
off on a good note,” said Bennett. “What better incentive to be
healthy than to have a chance to win cash prizes.
Now in it’s sixth year, Scale Back Alabama has resulted in a total
weigh tloss of almost 760,000 pounds for thousands of individuals.
Last year 33,000 Alabamians participated.
Two University of Alabama graduates and Biggest Loser winners are
encouraging Alabamians to sign up for the 2012 Scale Back Alabama
Contest.
Olivia Ward won the 11th season Biggest Loser contest, and her
sister, Hannah Curlee, was the first runner up. Ward, an opera
singer, and Curlee, a hospital system wellness coordinator, now
spend most of their time traveling the country spreading the
message about the need for Americans to eat less and move
more.
At the age of 35, Ward was told she would most likely never be able
to have children unless she lost weight. Her sister, a high school
homecoming queen and star athlete, began having issues with her
weight following an accident and subsequent back surgery that ended
her sports career. Both women competed in the national Biggest
Loser TV challenge and lost 129 pounds and 120 pounds,
respectively.
“As a true southern girl and a University of Alabama graduate, the
state holds a special place in my heart, and I would want nothing
more this year than for us to take the obesity rate and reverse
it,” said Ward. “What an amazing opportunity with Scale Back
Alabama for us to take our state back as far as health is
concerned. It is time to grab your friends, your co-workers and
your family and Scale Back Alabama.”
To participate in Scale Back Alabama, teams of four register and
have their initial weigh in at a local site during the week of
January 21 – 27 (weigh-in sites will be listed on
www.scalebackalabama.com in mid January). Throughout the 10-week
contest, participants will be encouraged to eat better and to
exercise, with a goal of losing one pound per week.
“The only con I feel in the program is that it’s not offered for
adolescents,” said Bennett. “However, the positive side to that
would be the influence parents can have on their children to begin
making healthier choices as well.”
By eating healthier and making the decision to change current
lifestyles, Bennett said adolescents can observe their parents in
making an active move for better overall health.
“Ten weeks is the perfect amount of time to establish healthy
habits, especially for individuals seeking a complete overhaul of
their daily lifestyle,” she said.
Because the program encourages people to work in teams,
accountability will serve as a positive guide during the
program.
“It’s a lot easier to reach a goal weight when you have someone
else helping you and going through the same challenge,” said
Bennett. “Encouragement and dedication are keys to weight loss
results.”
During the program, participants will receive weekly e-mails full
of healthy eating and living tips.
Scale Back Alabama is sponsored by Alabama’s hospitals and the
Alabama Department of Public Health, with generous underwriting by
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.
“I would love nothing better than to be leading a big “Roll Tide”
at the closing ceremony of Scale Back Alabama in celebration of a
huge weight loss,” said Curlee. “Olivia and I know what it takes,
and we just want to share the encouragement and help Alabamians
struggling with weight challenges to get back on track.”
Scale Back Alabama has both Facebook and Twitter pages to keep
contestants in the loop on weekly progress.
Through the program’s website, contestant will have access to 10
weeks of free healthy eating, healthy living newsletters complete
with free recipes and and exercise information.
“For people who want to make a serious change in the way they eat
and their overall physical health, Scale Back Alabama would be a
great place to start,” said Bennett. “Many times the only person
keeping us from reaching a healthy lifestyle are ourselves. If you
want to make a change, then you should.”