It’s not a diet.
It’s a lifestyle change.
Scale Back Alabama encourages Alabamians to lose 10 pounds over the course of the 10-week weight-loss program, not through fast-acting diets but through long-lasting healthier choices.
“Many people have the yo-yo syndrome of losing and then regaining weight,” said State Health Officer Donald Williamson, according to ScaleBackAlabama.com. “After a few of these attempts, the person can sometimes be heavier than when he or she first started.
“We hope the Scale Back Alabama program promotes lifestyle changes that encourage people to increase their activity level, reduce their total number of calories, and adopt behaviors that promote healthy eating.”
The program, which allows teams of four to compete for cash prizes, began with an official, statewide weigh-in Jan. 5–11. Each person must lose at least 10 pounds in order to be eligible for prizes.
At press time, more than 30,000 had weighed in for the program, with the final count still being tallied. Teams will weigh out in March.
Last year — the program’s first year — more than 20,000 Alabamians lost a total of 78,000 pounds.
“Scale Back Alabama is a great program, and I strongly encourage all Alabamians to take part,” said Gov. Bob Riley. “Obesity is a growing problem in our state, and one of the leading causes for health problems. Anything we can do to help combat this problem is worthwhile.”
In addition to Riley, the Alabama Hospital Association and the Alabama Department of Public Health are endorsing the program. Alabama’s own Ruben Studdard, winner of “American Idol” in 2003, is even a spokesman for the Scale Back initiative.
The program doesn’t advocate any sort of set plan for weight loss; instead its Web site offers educational materials on topics ranging from coping with snack attacks to controlling portion sizes.
For more information, resources and tips, visit ScaleBackAlabama.com. (TAB)
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